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Applications open for the EYCA Youth Panel

Calling all European Youth Cardholders aged 18 to 29! Join the EYCA Youth Panel and you can look forward to:

  • A great international learning and working experience with 9 other young people from across Europe;
  • International events – seminars, workshops, conferences;
  • Support to further a cause you’re passionate about;
  • An opportunity to co-design services and programmes to the benefit of over 6 million young Europeans.

Read on to find out more about EYCA, the Youth Panel and how you can apply.

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Who we are

We are the European Youth Card Association (EYCA) - a non-governmental, not-for-profit association of 38 member organisations in 36 countries across Europe. Together we work to empower Europe’s youth.

EYCA member organisations issue the European Youth Card to 6 million young people and strive to achieve our vision of a Europe where all young people are mobile and active. We aim to encourage more young people to be socially, culturally, educationally, and economically mobile by delivering quality European Youth Card services and by contributing to better youth policy.
Find out more about us at www.eyca.org.

What’s the EYCA Youth Panel?

The EYCA Youth Panel is the idea put forward by a group of young people just like you who came together at the EYCA Annual Conference, in Belgrade (Serbia) in 2017. They made a recommendation to the EYCA Board that cardholders should have a stronger voice when European Youth Card programmes and services are designed. This is what the Youth Panel is all about – giving you the opportunity to use your insights and experiences to help create services for over 6 million young Europeans while gaining essential skills and international working experience.
The EYCA Youth Panel is composed of 10 young people, aged 18 to 29, selected from among European Youth Cardholders.

What’s your role?

As an EYCA Youth Panel member, you will be asked to provide insights into the challenges, experiences and priorities of young Europeans today. You will also act as Youth Ambassadors for the European Youth Card – promoting the programmes and opportunities offered to your friends and peers. Plus, you can receive EYCA support to organise activities in your community relating to issues you feel passionate about.

Your two-year mandate will mainly consist in:

  • Participating in insights workshops where you will debate and give input on what it means to be a young European today and how young people can be supported;
  • Meeting the EYCA Board to directly contribute to the development of European Youth Card services and programmes;
  • Building a strong online presence to promote European Youth Card programmes and opportunities amongst young people;
  • Running local or national actions to engage your peers in debates around European topics;
  • Attend European youth events and promote the community of cardholders.

All EYCA Youth Panel members must attend at least two meetings a year, one of which being the kick-off training scheduled for February 2019.

What’s in for you?

  • One-of-a-kind leadership programme with like-minded young people from across Europe;
  • The unique opportunity to make your voice heard at the European level, with one of the largest networks dedicated exclusively to young people;
  • The opportunity to make a difference and enact change for young people in your community and abroad;
  • The possibility to travel across Europe for meetings and events.

Who are we looking for?

If you tick all the boxes below, we’d love to hear from you:

  • Aged 18-29 years old
  • Have a valid European Youth Card on the date you apply
  • Fluent in English - Yup, everything will be in English, but you’ll be encouraged to use your national language when reaching out to your peers.
  • Have limited or no experience in volunteering or being active with an NGO - We believe there’s so much untapped talent out there and we’d love to provide an outlet for your passion.
  • Strong motivation to be part of the EYCA Youth Panel and in a position to commit for 2 years.

Plus, you have to be passionate about one or more of the causes that EYCA supports:

  • Youth mobility – opportunities for all young people to travel for leisure, education or work;
  • Active citizenship – young people having the safe spaces and skills to influence the decisions that affect their lives;
  • Education & culture – equal access to education and culture for all young people;
  • Wellbeing – easy access to mental and physical health services; education and encouragement for healthy lifestyles;
  • Social inclusion – equal opportunities for all youth regardless of their ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disabilities, political or other opinion, national, social or economic background;
  • Community engagement & volunteering – quality opportunities and support for youth to make a positive difference in their communities;
  • Environmental awareness – reliable information and raising awareness on climate change and sustainable economic growth.

EYCA offers equal opportunities to all young people, regardless of their gender, nationality, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or health condition.

How to apply?

Step 1

Record a video about yourself (no longer than 2 minutes). Please tell us:

  • Why do you want to be part of the EYCA Youth Panel?
  • What are the causes you feel passionate about and you’d like to work on? If you’ve already worked in support of a cause, let us know. Every little thing counts!
  • How can you help promote European Youth Card opportunities to young people across Europe?
  • How do you think this experience will help you?
Step 2

Upload the video on YouTube.

Step 3

Fill in the application form and don’t forget to include your YouTube link by the 30th of November 2018.