The European Commission is committed to involving the younger generation in discussions on clean energy. Initiated in 2023, the Young Energy Ambassadors programme aims at:
- increasing the involvement of young people in the European policy-making process related to clean energy;
- boosting young people’s interest and impact in clean energy;
- recognising and rewarding young people's contributions to the clean energy transition.
Each year, 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 clean energy sector in Europe – be it through studies, volunteering, professional or personal activities.
The Ambassadorship programme activities will officially start at the European Sustainable Energy Week in June 2026 and will continue to run until June 2027. Ambassadors will actively participate in different initiatives during their mandate, such as policy workshops, webinars, outreach activities, a mentorship scheme with energy experts, and policy dialogues. They will attend and be involved in the European Sustainable Energy Week 2026 in Brussels (9-11 June, expenses covered).
To get inspired watch this video about the programme or discover more about the current cohort and the European Youth Energy Day.
The following eligibility criteria apply to all submissions. Meeting the eligibility criteria is mandatory. Applications that do not meet these criteria will be excluded from the evaluation.
Geographical scope:
The candidate must be a citizen of a country of the European Union, European Economic Area or Ukraine. Moreover, the candidate must carry out energy-related activities, projects, and actions in (at least) one of these eligible countries. Cross-border projects are particularly valued.
Age:
Candidates must be between 18 and 35 years old at the closing date of the call for applications (15 February 2026) (i.e. born after 14 February 1990 and before 16 February 2008).
The evaluation will be based on three 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 and inspiration towards becoming an advocate for the clean, fair and competitive energy transition (studies, personal and professional activities, family stories, etc).
Action and impact:
Applicants should describe concrete actions they have undertaken to advance the clean energy transition and/or to tackle specific challenges in the sustainable energy field. Described energy-related activities, projects, and actions must take place in (at least) one of the countries of the EU, EEA, or Ukraine. Cross-border projects are particularly valued.
Applicants should clearly demonstrate the impact of these actions (e.g. who was impacted by your actions and how).
Applicants should also describe outreach and communication actions they have taken to inspire or mobilise others (including through digital communication and social media).
Motivation and vision for the mandate:
Applicants should explain their motivation to become a Young Energy Ambassador. They should describe 1-3 concrete actions they propose to undertake (if selected) that 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 clean energy transition and policy-making in the field of sustainable energy. Examples include raising awareness online, publications, speaking opportunities or meaningful engagement with relevant decision-makers, stakeholders or local communities; involvement in clean energy projects (...).
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: 27 January 2026
- Closing of the call: 15 February 2026
Evaluation period: mid-February to end March 2026
Publication of results: 21 April
Dates are indicative and subject to change
By applying to the Young Energy Ambassadors programme, the candidates agree and commit to supporting the promotion of clean energy transition efforts and policies, as well as the European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) by:
- Contributing to the development of promotional material by the YEA/EUSEW organising team, including by providing filmed interviews, testimonies, photos, and quotes;
- Promoting EUSEW and EU energy policies linked to clean, 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;
- Documenting in an activity tracker any activity taken up in their role as Young Energy Ambassadors (including social media activities or interviews). In case a media outlet approaches a YEA in their capacity as an Ambassador or if they are offered a speaking opportunity at an event, YEAs are asked to inform CINEA-YEA
ec [dot] europa [dot] eu (CINEA-YEA[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu) and to share content in their own capacity only (e.g. use disclaimer as at the bottom of EUSEW blog articles); - Participating in (online) activities that will run during the Ambassadorship e.g. mentorship program, dialogues, events, trainings, workshops, video production, etc.;
- Attending EUSEW physically in Brussels (9-11 June 2026). The EUSEW organising team will cover the Ambassadors’ travel expenses (return trip from and to a destination within the EU, EEA or Ukraine) and accommodation.
What are the values we expect YEA to adhere to?
- 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 inform and inspire: to achieve the clean 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 committing to these values and responsibilities. If selected as a YEA, not respecting them 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-YEAec [dot] europa [dot] eu (CINEA-YEA[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu) or the EUSEW team at CINEA-EUSEWec [dot] europa [dot] eu (CINEA-EUSEW[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu).