A message from the YED Coordinators

A whole year went by. A whole year of coordinating and managing the Young European Diplomats (YED) Programme. Starting with the programme in November 2025, we finally finished on the week of Europe Day (the first week of May 2026).

This Programme is a one-of-a-kind for the Young European Ambassadors (YEAs) Initiative, with the YED Programme hosting three events, developing eight activities, and participating in three events hosted by one of our partners. Additionally, while physically connecting with 18 students, with the help of 14 helpers and partners, we hosted 13 workshops at the Aristoteleio Korinthiako Ekpaideutirio, covering various topics related to the European Union and Enlargement. Outside of school, through the development of our events and activities, we have reached out to around 50 participants in-person and influenced 93,000 people through our social media page. All of this is happening under our management, with the help of our valuable students, our hard-working YEAs and our esteemed partners.

While we focused on events, we have developed numerous activities as well. We have launched a podcast series on various platforms named “What’s In The Heads Of Young People?”, where our students engage in meaningful discussions to “dive into” difficult European policies and explain them in a simplified and entertaining way to young people across Greece. Additionally, we have created an EU Info Point at our school, where the students have developed an informational board displaying the various European Institutions that form the strongest democracy today. With the boards positioned in a central position within school premises, interested pupils and teachers could easily learn about the European Union, in small points, just by walking down the hallway! Not only that, but we have our own Journalistic Team. Every week, students were invited to write their own articles, using verified information from EU Institutions and reputable journalists, explaining what had happened in the EU the previous week. An amazing way to connect to those who view their news on social media, while also helping the students improve their creative writing skills and critical thinking abilities, as they have the opportunity to act as “student journalists”!

Despite the many challenges we have faced, such as a lack of outside participation at some events, internal logistical issues and other factors, these didn’t stop us from continuing with our goal of providing high-school students with quality European education by using the EU’s Learning Corner resources. At an important time when we are European citizens, we must understand what it means to “be European”. And young people must understand what “being active” means. Being European and being active is what we have pushed our students to understand, and we are proud to announce that our task is complete! The YED Programme has officially finished, after 6-7 months of hard work, of laughter, of discussion, of presentations, and of teamwork. After months of collaboration, participation, networking, and learning. We hope that our project will remain a mark in our students’ lives, and hope that they will contribute to our future, and make it a better place for us all. After all, we are #strongertogether with #youthparticipation.

We want to thank Maria Pia Napoletano, the YEAs Coordinator, for her tremendous effort, help, and advice in the progression of our Programme. Additionally, Sara, Freya, and many other YEAs have helped us make our project come true. And, for our students, σας ευχαριστούμε για την συμμετοχή σας, και ελπίζουμε να είστε οι πρωτοπόροι για ένα καλύτερο και ένα «νεανικό» Ευρωπαϊκό  μέλλον (“we thank you for your participation, and we hope that you will be pioneers for a better and a more ‘youthful’ European future”).

Yours sincerely,

Dimitri R.K. & Lemonia K.