EU4Youth Days 2025 seen through the eyes of an EU YEA 

The Young European Ambassadors (YEA) initiative is a strong family, destined to unite with many organisations and individuals from Eastern partner countries, whilst also creating friendships, collaboration between members, education opportunities, and connecting with its own members and others. The network aims to link citizens of the Eastern partner countries directly to the European Union, connecting with people in a simpler way at a time when society is getting more complicated. This is why I’m so proud to be a YEA, and why I seized the chance to take part in the EU4Youth Days in Brussels, Belgium, a two-day event interacting with like-minded individuals and organisations from EaP countries, while developing our skills at the same time.

As a Greek citizen, living in Greece, I don’t have any personal connection with these countries, but I’m always keen to learn new things by expanding my horizons and meeting new individuals. As one of the participants of the EU4Youth Days event, representing YEAs from the EU, I had the opportunity, with my fellow YEAs, who I was meeting for the first time, to engage in an astonishing environment, or as I kept hearing over the two days, “A once in a lifetime opportunity”. More information about EU4Youth Days 2025 event can be found here for anybody interested to learn more. This article is mainly to express my point of view (POV) of the event, as well as the general reception that I perceived from other participants. 

I’ve taken part in other international events, such as EYE25, but this, by far, has been the best. I had the opportunity to explore Brussels (for the first time), to get a taste of the original Belgian fries (not French fries, as they originate from Belgium), and, the most important and memorable experience, to spend this time with my peers, my family. Together, from having dinner together, to waking up tired every day to reach the event venue, and taking countless pictures along the way to capture these unforgettable moments. I’m sure these days were very special for all of us, to be close with other individuals who have similar objectives and thoughts. Being around like-minded individuals, made me feel like I was part of a group where I belonged. 

YEAs’ meeting in Brussels

The EU4Youth Days organisers were very enthusiastic and creative. Even if more than half of those present were distracted on their mobile devices, they still found ways to keep us all engaged in many ways, while also learning new knowledge. In Greece, our educational curriculum would have never taught this, information about green skills and climate change, how to be properly thinking about our future and setting objectives realistically, and as well about employment. These extra information and details are crucial, in my opinion, for the better development of a young person like me, and many others around Europe, and around the globe. 

Participating in workshops, focusing directly and in detail about subjects that we really like, made us think about the crucial issues surrounding us in a different perspective, while keeping us properly informed and up to date with information. The tremendous efforts that were put in from each speaker, organiser and participant, paid off by teaching me more in-depth information that will help my future growth, while empowering me to share this captivating knowledge and the experience I gained with others around me, including the teachers and students at my school back home. Speaking about school, I’m also very proud to have represented my school, by my presence in being there. It’s not very common to see high-school students acting like this, and I want to show my fellow students how they can also be the face of the future and make something different for themselves and others around them. Last but not least, we are proud as Young European Ambassadors to have advertised our initiatives to others, like-minded people like us, by having our own stand at the event. We managed to gain attention from others (mostly because we were next to the coffee machines…) and, most importantly, interest future YEAs to join our incredible family. 

Concluding and finishing this event was not easy. Leaving the many new friendships I created in such a short space of time was incredibly hard for us all. But this is an opportunity to be grateful for the moments we had in the first place, and for the future opportunities, like these, that we will have in the future. As I like reminding my peers, this isn’t a goodbye, it’s see you soon! 

And don’t forget to apply to join our initiative, and become another member of this vast network. Who knows, you might be the next YEA travelling to the next edition of EU4Youth Days or any similar event! Apply here, before 3 November.