Introduction

Dear reader,

We are excited to present the 5th edition of the Young European Ambassadors’ (YEA) Magazine! You’ll find 24 inspiring stories from young voices across the EU, the UK, and the Eastern partner countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine.

This year's theme, Hopes & Dreams, reinforces the aspirations and optimism we hold in this world of constant flux. Our contributors share their personal reflections on what hope means to them, how they envision their dreams unfolding, and the steps they are taking. Their journeys remind us that every dream - no matter how big or small - matters, and has the power to shape a better tomorrow for us all.

In these pages, young people share their aspirations for a future rooted in resilience, prosperity, and democracy. They write about hopes for stronger communities, greater opportunities, and a world where determination and courage can create real change.

As you read through the magazine, we invite you to reflect on your own hopes and dreams. How have they shaped your journey so far? What steps are you taking to make them a reality? And what role can you play in making the world a more hopeful place for future generations?

Index

Section 1: Bridges of hope

Section 2: Perspectives of hope

Section 3: Inspiring hope

Section 4: Youth leaders are hope

Section 5: From hope to action

Section 6: Download the magazines

Bridges of hope

By Anna Gumenyuk - an excerpt

In the small border town of Narva, where Estonia meets Russia, a group of young volunteers gather each Saturday to restore an abandoned community centre. Their hands are rough from work, but their eyes shine with purpose. Among them is Marta, 23, who coordinates this multicultural team despite speaking neither Estonian nor Russian fluently when she arrived.

"We communicate through action," she tells me, mixing English with phrases she's learned from both languages. "When words fail, shared work builds understanding."

This scene encapsulates what I've witnessed across Europe's borderlands — young people creating spaces of connection where political tensions have severed ties. From divided Cyprus to the Polish-Ukrainian border, youth-led initiatives are mending frayed community fabrics through practical collaboration rather than political declarations.

Read the full article here

Reaching for the stars

By Nargiz Aliyeva - an excerpt

A dream is born

Growing up in Azerbaijan, I always looked at the night sky with wonder. The stars seemed like a piece of hope, whispering that anything was possible. But the path to space was not clear for young people, especially for women. Despite my passion for space exploration, I was often met with doubt. "This field is not for you," they said. "It’s too complicated." "Women don't lead in space engineering." These words, instead of discouraging me, fuelled my determination.

I believed that space, like Europe, should belong to everyone — regardless of gender, background, or nationality.

I refused to accept that the sky was the limit. I wanted to go beyond, to prove that young people, regardless of their gender, could make a difference in the space sector. My journey was about paving the way for others, creating opportunities, and showing that with unity, trust, and knowledge, the impossible could be achieved.

Read the full article here

Can young people really save the planet?

By Gevorg Ghazaryan (Alumnus)

The future of Europe’s climate fight

The climate crisis stands as one of our generation's greatest challenges, and young people across Europe and the Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries are refusing to wait for solutions. Youth-led climate movements, innovative sustainability projects, and direct advocacy efforts are reshaping the way in which societies approach environmental issues. But while their influence is undeniable, a question arises — can young people truly drive the change needed to save the planet? The answer depends on whether their activism can transition into long-term policy influence and real-world impact.

The past decade has seen an exceptional wave in youth-led climate activism. The Fridays for Future movement, initiated by Greta Thunberg in 2018, has involved millions of young people across Europe, pressuring governments to act on climate commitments. In Belgium, climate activist Anuna De Wever co-founded the Youth for Climate movement, leading school strikes that pressured the government into adopting stronger climate policies. Similarly, in Poland, Dominika Lasota has played a critical role in pushing for a just transition to renewable energy, advocating for youth involvement in environmental decision-making.

Read the full article here

How my vision for Moldova’s future was inspired

By Margarita Chencheci (Alumna)

If the world were water on our planet, an interconnected sea of nations, then Moldova would be a wave full of potential. Waves do not exist in isolation; they gain strength from the currents around them, much like Moldova finds momentum through international cooperation. An ocean is vast and complete, enriched by various elements - much like the European Union, where aspiring members receive support, provided that they foster independent development and meet the necessary criteria to become part of this greater whole. 

In this way, Moldova’s wave has the chance to merge with the ocean, growing stronger within it while retaining its own unique force. Just as waves are shaped by the forces around them, winds, tides, and currents, Moldova, too, is shaped by the international opportunities that push it forward. Through my own experiences abroad, I’ve seen how cultural exchange, education, and cooperation can strengthen Moldova’s path, helping it rise with the tide rather than drift alone.

Read the full article here