Young European Ambassadors talk about EU Enlargement and Ukraine at LevelUp! event in Brussels

On 11-14 April, Young European Ambassadors (YEAs) took part in the LevelUp! Capacity building event at the European Parliament in Brussels. Organised by the European Youth Forum, the European Parliament, and the European Commission, it brought together 1,300 activists from all over Europe for a series of workshops and plenary sessions.

YEAs contributed with two workshops and a total of six sessions, involving 188 participants altogether. 

One of the workshops – ‘A larger EU: EU enlargement for beginners’ – provided an opportunity for young people to learn more about this and explore the journeys of Moldova, Georgia, and Ukraine towards EU accession – from the benefits of cooperation to the steps and challenges related to the EU accession.

Mikhail Papava, a YEA from Georgia, was inspired by the experience of facilitating this workshop at LevelUp: “I saw real curiosity and engagement about EU enlargement and membership, particularly meaningful for me as a Georgian. The audience surpassed my expectations in their engagement, making the workshop fulfilling. Collaborating with other facilitators also brought new insights about EU integration.”

He added that LevelUp was an ‘incredible opportunity’ for him to connect with like-minded peers deeply committed to fostering positive change. 

Another workshop was an interactive activity to explore and reflect on how we use language to discuss the EU’s relationship and support to Ukraine. It was also dedicated to critical thinking and media literacy skills. Through engaging activities, participants gained insights into the significance of language and the impact of choosing the right words, especially when talking about Ukraine.

The LevelUp event was also an opportunity for young people from across Europe to get to know EU decision-makers, said Vusala Azizli, YEA from Azerbaijan.

“I can say that it was my favourite part of the day in this project because, for someone studying for a master’s degree in European Studies, this activity meant strengthening theory with practice,” Vusala Azizli said.
The Young European Ambassadors (YEAs) initiative brings together socially engaged youth from the six Eastern Partner countries, the European Union and the United Kingdom to foster dialogue and to raise awareness about the EU and its cooperation with its Eastern partner countries.