YEA10: Young European Ambassadors mark a decade of connection, inspiration and change
Ten years ago today, on 16 June 2016, the Young European Ambassadors (YEA) network was launched, with the first 100 YEAs, drawn from the six partner countries – Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine – and the European Union. That year, seven activities were carried out by the network, reaching 7,000 people. A decade on, more than 3,000 YEAs have served in the network, taking part in 7,000 activities and reaching 20 million people across the region.
To mark the anniversary, EU NEIGHBOURS east is launching a campaign to showcase the voices and achievements of a talented generation of young Europeans, who have accompanied a decade of momentous change in the region, raising awareness of EU support and building European values in their communities.
In the last decade, YEAs have raised awareness about EU partnership with its Eastern neighbours, shared values and opportunities for a better life. They have campaigned for democracy, the environment and gender equality. They have worked together, tirelessly, in solidarity with each other’s struggles. They have made connections that last.
Over the coming months, YEA voices will highlight the legacy and ongoing achievements of the past decade:
- A series of YouTube conversations will feature alumni talking about their YEA journey, what they have learned, and the impact of EU support on the ground.
- Conversations with the actual EU Ambassadors in the partner countries will highlight the network’s legacy and the EU’s impact on the ground, how relationships have changed, and opportunities in the future.
- On social media, YEAs will unbox and take part in a journal travelling across countries. YEA celebrations on the ground will be highlighted as reels, posts, carousels, and more.
- A special YEA magazine 2026 edition will highlight a decaded of achievement and look to the future of Europe.
- A dedicated campaign page on EU NEIGHBOURS EAST’s website will showcase the alumni stories and link all outputs and EU opportunities available to young people.
Today, the network has almost 1,000 members, active around the region and in the EU, keeping up the solidarity for Ukraine, advocating around enlargement, raising awareness of EU opportunities, and highlighting the struggle for democracy and human rights in Belarus and Georgia.
New activities are organised every day to build solidarity, awareness, networks and opportunity, preparing the next 10 years of connection, inspiration and change for the future.
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