Initiated in 2023, the Young Energy Ambassadors programme reflects the European Commission’s commitment to involving the younger generation in discussions on competitive, clean and fair energy transition. It aims at:
- increasing the involvement of young people in the European policy-making process related to sustainable energy;
- boosting young people’s interest and impact in clean energy;
- recognising and rewarding young people's contributions to energy transition.
Each year, approximately 30 young people (aged 18 to 35) from across Europe are selected as Young Energy Ambassadors for a one-year mandate based on an open call for applications. The programme is open to all ambitious young people involved in the energy sector in Europe – be it through studies, volunteering, professional or personal activities.
The Ambassadorship programme activities will run from April 2025 to June 2026. Ambassadors will attend and actively participate in the European Sustainable Energy Week taking place on 10-12 June 2025 in Brussels (expenses covered). Several other opportunities such as policy dialogues, webinars, outreach activities and a mentorship scheme are also offered during the mandate.
To get inspired, discover more about the previous cohort and the European Youth Energy Day.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Meeting the following eligibility criteria is mandatory. Applications that do not meet these criteria will be excluded from the evaluation.
Geographical scope:The candidate must legally reside in the European Union, and their energy-related activities, projects, and actions must be carried out in at least one Member State of the EU. | Age:Candidates must be between 18 and 35 years old, i.e. born between 1 March 1989 and 1 March 2007, at the closing date of the call for applications (1 March). |
The evaluation will be based on 3 criteria related to the questions in the application form. Each of these criteria will be scored on a scale from 1 to 10:
Profile:
Applicants should focus on highlighting elements of originality and their personal journey towards becoming an advocate for the clean, fair and competitive energy transition (studies, personal and professional activities etc).
Action and impact:
Applicants should describe concrete actions they have undertaken to advance the sustainable energy transition and/or to tackle specific challenges in the sustainable energy field. Applicants should clearly demonstrate the impact of these actions (e.g. who was impacted by your actions and how). Applicants should also describe actions they have taken to inspire or mobilise others (including through social media).
Motivation:
Applicants should explain their motivation to becoming a Young Energy Ambassador, including suggestions on how their participation in the YEA programme could help spread messages about the benefits of a clean, sustainable and fair energy transition among EU citizens or contribute in any other way to the energy transition and policy-making in the field of sustainable energy.
As a general principle, the selection process prioritises diversity in terms of gender, age, profession, nationality and proportionality in reflecting the EU population.
- Launch of the call: 28 January 2025
- Closing of the call: 1 March 2025
- Evaluation period: March 2025
- Communication of results: mid-April 2025
By applying to the Young Energy Ambassadors programme, the candidates agree and commit to supporting the promotion of clean energy transition efforts and policies and the EU Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) by:
- Providing and contributing to the development of promotional material by the organising team, including filmed interviews, testimonies, photos, and quotes;
- Promoting EUSEW and EU energy policies linked to sustainable, competitive and fair energy transition through their documented activities, on their channels and through their networks (such as events, social media, articles, interviews, newsletters, websites, etc.), with particular focus on informing and engaging citizens in their respective local communities and regions;
- Notifying CINEA-YEA@ec.europa.eu about any activity taken up in their role as Young Energy Ambassadors (including social media activities). In case a media outlet approaches a YEA in their capacity as an ambassador, YEAs are asked to inform CINEA-YEA@ec.europa.eu and to share content in their own capacity only (e.g. use disclaimer as at the bottom of EUSEW blog articles);
- Participating in activities that will run during the Ambassadorship, including possible follow-up activities (e.g. mentorship program, dialogues, events, online workshops, video production, etc.);
- Attending EUSEW physically in Brussels (10-12 June 2025). The EUSEW organising team will cover the Ambassadors’ travel expenses and accommodation.
What are the YEA values?
- Independence: Ambassadors participate in the programme in a personal capacity and do not represent the views of their employer or any other affiliated professional organisation.
- Responsibility and commitment: participating in the Ambassadorship programme will entail taking positive actions to embark on the clean, competitive and fair energy transition. Ambassadors will take part in activities to put forward concrete proposals, facts-based arguments and engage in constructive discussions on how to better achieve European energy and climate targets.
- Ambition to inspire: to achieve the energy transition we need to challenge long-standing behaviours and assumptions. Ambassadors can contribute to this objective by raising awareness of actions that can be taken individually and collectively to make our energy production and consumption more sustainable and to help achieve the European climate neutrality goal.
- Action tailored to national and local contexts: Ambassadors’ actions should particularly be tailored to national and local context, helping the European Commission reaching out to citizens living in cities and towns as well as rural and sparsely populated areas. The closer Ambassadors are to people’s day-to-day reality, the better. Ambassadors are invited to share their knowledge about European energy policy, programmes or opportunities in their languages, among their local community, especially with other young people.
- Diversity and inclusiveness: the Ambassadorship programme also aims to help break down barriers and combat biases related to gender, age, disabilities or other characteristics. Ambassadors are expected to act in accordance with the European democratic and participatory values.
Please note that applying to the YEA Programme entails agreeing to these values and obligations. If selected as a YEA, not adhering to these values and obligations could lead to exclusion from the YEA Programme.
Should you have any additional questions about the Young Energy Ambassadors programme, please contact the YEA coordinators at CINEA-YEA@ec.europa.eu or the EUSEW team at CINEA-EUSEW@ec.europa.eu.