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Call for expression of interest: join the EU Delegation's Youth Advisory Committee (YAC)

Are you passionate about youth engagement and EU-UK relations? Do you want to have a direct impact on shaping the voice of youth in the EU-UK conversation?

Then read on...The European Delegation to the UK is launching a Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) to hear directly from young leaders on issues of key importance to EU-UK relations. This initiative aligns with the Commission's Youth Action Plan (YAP), a policy framework on which to build a strategic partnership between the EU and young people around the world. YAP's underlying objective is to build a more resilient, inclusive, peaceful and sustainable future while enhancing meaningful youth participation and empowerment in the EU’s external action policies and actions.

Introducing the Youth Advisory Committee



The Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) will be established to provide advice to the Delegation of the European Union to the United Kingdom (EU Delegation), on the situation, challenges, priorities and opportunities available to the youth in the United Kingdom and on the views of young people on EU-UK relations including on how to build stronger connections between young people in the EU and the UK.

The overarching goal of the establishment of the YAC is to contribute to meaningful youth participation and enacting the EU Youth Action Plan in EU External Action.



What are the key elements?

  • Length: The YAC is selected for the duration of two years.
  • Composition: The YAC is composed of 12 young people with backgrounds in a number of possible areas - eg:
    • Youth participation
    • Youth in Universities, Further Education and Vocational Education and Training
    • Young workers, professionals, entrepreneurs and farmers
    • Young people engaged in civil society organisations in areas such as human rights, SDGs, climate change, etc.
  • Objectives
    • The YAC will be proactive and committed to engaging with the EU Delegation and provide constructive advice on policy areas presented for discussion by the EU Delegation, whilst taking into account the wider needs, issues and views of young people in the United Kingdom.
    • The YAC will provide advice on the topics below, but not exclusively:
      • the situation, challenges and opportunities of youth in the United Kingdom
      • EU-UK relations
      • How to build stronger connections between young people in the EU and the UK
      • How to strengthen the Delegation’s youth engagement efforts and better connect with youth from all backgrounds
  • Membership criteria
    • The YAC is open to individuals aged between 18 to 30, who are resident in the United Kingdom.
    • YAC selection is based on the following criteria:
      • Experience in youth engagement
      • Representing a relevant constituency of youth in the United Kingdom
      • Motivation and interest in strengthening EU-UK relations
      • Communication skills
  • Membership structure
    • The Youth Advisory Committee will consist of the following membership structure:
      • A maximum of 12 young people
      • Diversity in terms of various characteristics, including gender balance, and geographical representation.
      • Membership of the YAC is voluntary (no remuneration) The YAC will not hold decision-making power.
      • The YAC will elaborate its own working methods and programme of activities in partnership with the EU Delegation
      • The YAC will select one of its members as a chairperson. The Chairperson will co-chair the meetings together with the EU Delegation.
      • The YAC will select one of its members as a secretary. The Secretary is responsible for distributing the agenda before every meeting, and drafting the minutes of each meeting.

What support provided by the EU Delegation?

The EU Delegation will be on hand and committed to:

  • Providing terms of reference to new board members
  • Providing an induction/training on the EU Delegation and its engagement with young people
  • Overseeing the recruitment and selection process for committee membership
  • Organising the meetings with Delegation’s staff and other EU officials
  • Providing the YAC with virtual and/or physical working spaces for meetings
  • Provide feedback

 

How often will the YAC meet?

Meetings of the YAC will be held bi-annually (including in connection with the annual EU youth dialogue organised by the EU Delegation, or more often on a needs basis, for example on the occasion of a visit of a high level EU official.

A tentative schedule of meetings will be developed and agreed upon after the members of the committee have been selected. We expect the first meeting of the YAC to take place in the Spring of 2025 and the second meeting in the Autumn of 2025.

It is expected that each member of the YAC will attend the regular meetings, and will try to be available for the additional agreed meetings.

The Delegation may nominate members of the YAC to participate in events organized by EU Institutions

 

How to apply

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Youth Advisory Committee of the EU Delegation to the UK send an email to:



DELEGATION-UNITED-KINGDOM-POLITICAL@eeas.europa.eu with the subject “Youth Advisory Committee”. In your email please include:  

  • CV and a motivation letter telling us:
    1. your experience in youth engagement activities;
    2. your previous engagement (if any) with the EU Delegation or EU institutions;
    3. your views on how EU/UK relations could be strengthen from a youth perspective and
    4. your personal motivation to become a member of the Youth Advisory Committee.

 

Please email us by March 14th