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Apply now! Fourth edition of the EYCA Youth Panel

*** Join our Q&A on 13 November at 18.00 CET to directly ask your questions about the EYCA Youth Panel. Sign up here. ***

Ever wanted to get involved with international projects and help guide an international organisation? Are you passionate about sharing the voices of your peers and representing young people? Would you like to organise projects that give a platform to young people and encourage civic participation? If so, this is an opportunity for you. 

We’re looking for 11 European Youth Cardholders aged 18 to 29 to become new members of the EYCA Youth Panel, for a mandate of two years. Applicants should be 18 at least by the time of the first meeting in January 2025. Applicants should still have a valid European Youth Card (i.e. no older than 31 years old) by the end of the mandate.

WHAT ARE WE OFFERING?
  • A one-of-a-kind learning and development programme with like-minded young people. You’ll meet new people from different backgrounds.
  • You’ll develop new skills and have plenty of opportunities to put them into practice: public speaking, advocacy, project & logistics management, communications and networking.
  • Voice the concerns and ideas of your generation. EYCA is one of the largest European networks focused on giving a voice to youth, you’ll be able to use our tools and reach out to make a difference.
  • Get hands-on experience with organising Europe-wide initiatives and projects. This is a great way to understand how international organisations work. In the previous edition, the Youth Panel organised the Rural Youth Project.
  • The possibility to work on the regional and local level with EYCA members organisations as well as the European level with institutions, youth organisations and the rest of the EYCA community. You’ll be representing EYCA at meetings and events across Europe.

You’ll be building on the work of previous editions of the Youth Panel, such as the recommendation regarding rural youth and other suggestions. You’ll also be working to further EYCA’s approach regarding Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) initiatives; and mapping the key youth priorities that EYCA should focus on.

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ABOUT EYCA

We are the European Youth Card Association (EYCA) – a non-governmental, not-for-profit association of 36 member organisations in 33 countries across Europe. Together we work to empower Europe’s youth. EYCA member organisations issue the European Youth Card to 9 million young people, and we aim to encourage more young people to be socially, culturally, educationally and economically mobile as well as being active citizens on the local and European level.

WHAT¨S THE ROLE OF A YOUTH PANELLIST?

Over the next two-year mandate (2025-2026), the Youth Panel will focus on the four following areas:

  1. Represent EYCA in external events and join our internal meetings: You’ll have the opportunity to speak on behalf of EYCA at international events. And you’ll be able to join our Board & regional group meetings to better understand how EYCA functions. This joint role is to make sure that young people are at the centre of our organisation. You’ll be sharing the voices of your generation.
  2. Offer feedback and suggestions on EYCA’s activities and organisation: As ambassadors of the European Youth Card, your ideas on how to improve our initiatives are key. What can we do better? Where is there potential for improvement? These are the questions you’ll be asking yourself.
  3. Organise actions for young people: Organise online & in-person workshops for young people (i.e. at the European Youth Event, UYD in Mollina, etc).
  4. Contribute to EYCA’s communication and visibility: As a Youth Panel member, you’ll be continually thinking about how to increase the reach of your initiatives to get new people involved. Encouraging civic participation among young people is a big ambition of the Youth Panel.

Several in-person and online meetings will be organised. Applicants should be available to join the following meetings/events:

  • 2 in-person meetings per year (usually in Feb-Mar; and Oct-Nov). These meetings are usually 2-3 days long and are held over the weekend. The first meeting will take place in Budapest from 22-26 February 2025 (including travel days). Applicants should be available to attend this meeting.
  • Online meetings once or twice per month. These meetings are usually no longer than 1 hour and are organised at a time that best suits everyone.

In addition, each Youth Panel member will be invited (but not obliged) to join the following:

  • An EYCA board meeting, a regional group meeting of EYCA members, and the annual EYCA Conference. This is a great way to understand how EYCA works  and help shape the direction of our organisation.
  • You could also represent EYCA at the Advisory Council on Youth (Council of Europe) as an observer and other European youth-focused events.

A dedicated Youth Panel trainer will assist with the coordination of all these meetings and activities, so no need to worry if it seems too big a responsibility. This trainer will also develop your skills for these initiatives. 

WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

If you tick all the boxes below, we’d love to hear from you:

  • Aged 18-29 years old
  • Have a valid European Youth Card on the date you apply
  • Good command of English – Everything will be in English, but you’ll be encouraged to use your national language when reaching out to your peers. Ps: your English does not need to be perfect, this is also a good opportunity to practice it!
  • Ability and willingness to travel occasionally to events around Europe. At the very least, you should join the in-person and online meetings of the Youth Panel.
  • Strong motivation to be part of the EYCA Youth Panel and in a position to commit for  2 years.

Plus, you have to be passionate about one or more of the causes that are relevant to young people. Let us know what you are passionate about in your application! EYCA offers equal opportunities to all young people, regardless of their gender, nationality, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or health condition.

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HOW TO APPLY?

Step 1

Record a video about yourself (no longer than 2 minutes). Please tell us why you want to be part of the youth panel:

  • What’s your past experience?
  • What are you passionate about?
  • What active citizenship actions would you like to implement through the EYCA Youth Panel?

Step 2

Upload the video to YouTube (we recommend setting the video as unlisted so only those with access to your link can view it).

Step 3

Fill in the application form and don’t forget to include your YouTube link by Sunday 17 November 2024 at 23.59 CET. You can expect an answer from us within a few weeks.