Meet the pool of European young journalists - Edition 2022

Get to know the project and the authors behind the content

The European Commission, with the support of Eurodesk, aimed to engage young people in the design of the European Year of Youth 2022. 

In view of this, a pool of European young journalists had been set up, which aimed at giving young people a voice as storytellers. The young journalists were responsible for writing articles, creating videos and podcasts on themes of interest to young people and related to the European Year of Youth. 

They chose the topics themselves and developed the content alone or as part of a team. The European Commission did not influence their position which was the responsibility of the respective authors. 

The pool was also given the opportunity to cover main European events happening during the European Year of Youth and report back from the ground. 

Curious about who was behind the first content edition 2022? Have a look at their bios below. 
 

 

Anna Marek

I'm a Polish girl who gained her journalistic experience in several places, including writing for magazines and working in radios. I'm up for all possible challenges, adding the right dose of humour to them. I am primarily interested in talking to young people who introduce real changes. An example is the Youth Climate Strike in Poland as a youth movement fighting for a legal change in the government's approach to the climate crisis. I am interested in writing about how European Union programmes give young people a chance and how they changed their lives. I am also interested in the exclusion that many young people face because of their place of residence, gender or sexual orientation. I would like to raise topics that draw attention to the real problems of young people. I am also more and more interested in the culture of the Balkans and Turkey and their inclusion and impact on the European Union.

 

Mai Ly Le

I am Mai Ly, 17 years old and I come from Darmstadt, Germany. At my school, I have founded a school newspaper and enjoy standing up for students’ rights as head girl. In my freetime, I play the violin, dance acrobatic Rock’n’Roll and read a lot.

 

Leonie Kirstein

I am now in the final stages of my master's degree program “European Culture and Economy” which hopefully will take me to work in a European context and to be in contact with people of various nations and cultures. Being a part of the European Pool of Young Journalists allows me to make my voice heard and work towards a better future because I really believe in the importance of spaces where participation of young people in Europe is encouraged. The causes close to my heart are animal welfare, feminism, and equality.

 

Agnė Jankauskaitė

I'm Agnė, a secondary-education student from Lithuania. And I would like to channel my next educational steps towards Journalism studies. I have also experience volunteering in a local library where I helped our local librarians to write reviews on the newest books and organise interactive events for young book lovers. My most loved ones decribe me as ambitious, energetic and positivite. I hope to spread similar energy through my work because writing articles, making videos and meeting people brings me happiness.

 

Kacper Król

My name is Kacper, I’m 23 years old and I’m a graduate of Journalism and Social Communication. For now, I’m studying Media productions and International and EU law in University of Maria Curie-Skłodowska in Lublin. During three years I have been working in the Radio Centrum newsroom, where I have been a reporter and publisher. 
I have also been running an authorial radio program about traveling for two years, as it has become my passion. I have visited several countries in various Erasmus+ projects. I believe that every trip has allowed me to cross my inner boundaries and broaden my horizons. Volunteering is very important in my life and my work at the Sempre a Frente Foundation has allowed me to help others and change the thinking of the local community.
My experience on a project as part of the European Solidarity Corps in North Macedonia would certainly make my work as a journalist for the European Youth Portal easier. Promoting trips within the framework of various EU programs and changing other people's perceptions of reality by showing them development opportunities is my passion. Remember to cross the borders not only of other countries, but also your own! 

 

Aleesha Wiegandt

I am a 21-year-old Politics and French student from Cork, Ireland, currently living in Lille, France. I have over five years experience as a committed volunteer and youth worker with YMCA Ireland, Comhairle na nÓg and EIL Ireland. I have also chaired the Suicide Awareness and Mental Health Society in University College Cork for a year after sitting as Public Relations Officer on the Committee the year prior. I have a wide range of experience in digital media, podcast creation and written articles, having been at the core of two YMCA podcasts in the last three years, 'Generation Z' and 'The Happiness Jar'. I have also been a youth reporter for close to five years, having interviewed a number of political and public personalities. My main areas of interest in journalism work are predominantly those linked with mental health, environmentalism, the Sustainable Development Goals, intercultural learning, and Global Justice. I am passionate for youth participation, which has been at the core of all the projects I have embarked on, being a true believer in young people rests at the heart of all the major political and social issues that face today's ever-changing world. 

 

Austėja Dumčiūtė

I am Austėja Dumčiūtė from Klaipėda, Lithuania. Probably the best definition of me would be that I don't know how to say NO. And that is why I am trying to climb out of my comfort zone in every step I can. I love to talk, I enjoy being in the center of attention, and the Lithuanian saying “Don't give to eat, give to talk” also fits me very well. I live near the Baltic sea and I love the sea, I love the sun and probably because of that I am full of positive thinking and passion.
I know that every human has a dual personality. But sometimes I think that I have way too many different personalities. On the one hand, I play with the traditional Lithuanian instrument called kanklės and on the other hand, I am flying through the park at high speed with my rollerblades. It looks like completely different activities, but this gives some spice to my personality and probably it makes me more interesting as a person. To sum up, I am trying to live my best life and I truly believe that in the future I will make something great, something unexpected!

 

Harry McCann

I am a 23 years old Irish award-winning entrepreneur and journalist working to empower youth across the globe. I am also the founder of the first Digital Youth Council, a not-for-profit organisation that works to give young people a voice in STEM and education, and ambassador for the #SaferInternet4EU campaign launched by Commissioner Mariya Gabriel. I am currently studying a Masters in Politic Communications at Dublin City University (DCU).

 

Lorenzo Tecleme

I am a student, activist, and journalist. I have written about climate policy and foreign affairs for several Italian media (Repubblica, Jacobin Italia, theWise) and was one of the correspondents of the newspaper Domani in Cop26, the UN Conference on climate change. I have always been very interested in the subject of the climate crisis - the topic I have written most about, studied most and believe I have mastered best. But I am also passionate of foreign affairs - in particular, I love Latin America - and of everything related to communication and pop culture.

 

Paulina Tura

My name is Paulina. My passion is traveling, sailing, culture, and meeting new people. I am very curious and I love gaining new knowledge. I work for education, the local community, and supporting self-development. I am mostly interested in topics related to travel, ecology, education, culture, and their impact on people.
 

Maria Bajorek

I am a young journalist from Poland. I am keen on media world since two years. I have already experience writing in three youth newspapers and I am also creating a social project about media and disinformation. I am responsible for making podcasts and writing articles. This project won a prize for the best educational project in Poland in 2021. I am volunteering in at the local community level and I am also passionate about all topics related to politics, media and leadership.