An excellent opportunity for around 100 motivated students, young people, and 37 teachers from EU Member States, candidate countries, and the United Kingdom to apply for the European Economic and Social Committee annual event, "Your Europe, Your Say!" (YEYS 2026). The flagship youth event will take place on Thursday, 19 March and Friday, 20 March 2026 at the EESC Premises in Brussels, Belgium. The European Economic and Social Committee will pay all the costs related to participation for the selected participants.
About YEYS! 2026 eventYEYS 2026 event will be a 2-day event featuring interactive workshops and discussions led by experienced facilitators. Participants, including school students, National Youth Councils, and youth organisations, will articulate their views and develop recommendations reflecting their expectations and priorities for Europe's future.
The workshops will encourage open communication and debate through thought-provoking questions such as:
- What kind of Europe do you want to live in, and what issues are important to you?
- How do you envisage this European future and what role should young people play in shaping it?
- What contributions can youth make to build a Europe aligned with shared values and priorities?
The event aims to inspire participants to reflect on their beliefs and explore collaborative steps for fostering unity and shared responsibility across borders. It will culminate in a plenary session where the ideas discussed are transformed into actionable recommendations.
Follow-up of YEYS
The EESC Youth Group will promote the YEYS recommendations by incorporating them into advisory and political work, external events, and opinions undergoing the EU Youth Test. These recommendations may also influence the EESC’s second Civil Society Week (March 19–20, 2026), serving as a foundation for youth-centered discussions and being presented to European institutional representatives.
Eligibility | Who can apply?
YEYS will bring together 137 participants. These participants must live in:
- any of the EU’s 27 Member States; or
- any of the nine candidate countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Türkiye, and Ukraine; or
- the UK.
The 137 YEYS participants will comprise:
- 37 school students aged 16-18 from 27 EU member states, 9 candidate countries and the UK, selected via an open call for applications and their 37 accompanying teachers;
- 43 participants aged 18–25, selected via an open call for applications, including individuals and representatives of youth organisations or national youth councils;
- 15 participants aged 18-25, nominated by the EESC's Youth Group in consultation with the three EESC Groups who have ideally not attended youth events at EU level (including YEYS) in Brussels, Strasbourg or Luxembourg organised by any of the EU institutions in the last two years;
- up to 5 participants, aged 18-25 and Brussels-based, delegates nominated by the European Youth Forum.
- As the event will be held entirely in English, participants must be able to understand and speak at a very good level of English.
NOTE: For more details about the eligibility conditions, check
this page
Expense and Benefits
- Participants are expected to arrive in Brussels in good time for the start of the event (i.e. by Thursday 19 March) and to leave only after the event ends on 20 March (i.e. in the evening or the next day).
- For successful applicants and nominated delegates, the EESC will arrange and pay for accommodation in Brussels, as well as a return flight (economy class) or train/bus journey between the country of residence and Brussels.
- The EESC will not cover the cost of travel from the place of residence to the departure airport or train station for any participant, nor will it cover the cost of or provide tickets for transfers (taxi/train/bus/metro) from the airport or train station in Brussels to the hotel or the EESC.
- The registration form contains information for booking travel and accommodation. The EESC will arrange travel and accommodation through an agency. The EESC will not reimburse the costs of any arrangements made independently by participants.
- Participants must carry their personal travel documents (a valid passport or identity card) with them at all times. Participants must have their own travel insurance and bring evidence of coverage.
Practical information
Date: 19-20 March 2026
Location: EESC premises, JDE building, rue Belliard/Belliardstraat 99-101, 1040 Brussels
Accessibility: The venue is wheelchair accessible for individuals with disabilities. Special requirements should be communicated via the registration form or email after selection.
Nearest Metro Stations: Schuman and Maelbeek (within walking distance)
Additional Information: Detailed event information will be shared with participants before or upon arrival in Brussels.
Timeline
Application deadline: 30 November 2025
Arrival day: by noon on Thursday, 19 March 2026
Departure day: 20 March 2026 (in the evening or the next day)
How to apply?
- High school students and young people are invited to fill out the online application form in English no later than 30 November 2025.
IMPORTANT: Selected schools will be notified by email by 15 December 2024 and listed on the EESC website. Unsuccessful candidates will be informed by email thereafter.
More Details
For more details about Your Europe, Your Say! 2026 event, check the details on the European Economic and Social Committee website from HERE
By applying for this event, you take responsibility and risks. Inform yourself about the regulation and potential risks. "Opportunity 4U" cannot be held liable for any of the potential risks, and this post is only for informative and popularising purposes.
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