The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) has just launched a new call for expression of interest to select motivated young elected politicians (YEP) to join the YEP programme in 2020.

Apply to join the 2020 YEP Programme

The Young Elected Politicians Progra​​mme (YEPs) is a network of politicians who are no older than 40 and hold a mandate at regional or local level in the EU.

The purpose of this network is to​ exchange best practice among local and regional politicians, network with fellow young elected politicians from the EU, understand and seize opportunities offered by the European Union for local and regional areas, speak for EU regions and municipalities in the European legislative process and gain visibility in European ​circles.

The 2020 programme is structured around the three themes​ listed below. Selected participants will be divided into three groups, depending on their choice of topic, and be invited to join a specific event designed for them around one of the CoR plenary sessions. Furthermore, the three groups will all be invited to the European Week of Regions and Cities, which will take place in Brussels on 12-15 October 2020.

1. Cohesion Policy

​Would you like to discover what is planned for Cohesion Policy in the 2021-2027 budgetary period? Would you like to meet the people involved in order to make Cohesion Policy work for your region and city?

If you want to apply for this theme, you need to be available to travel to Brussels on the following dates:

• 24 to 26 March 2020 for the CoR plenary session where the Cohesion Policy will be debated,
• 12 to 15 October 2020 for the EU Week of Regions and cities.

2. Green Deal

Do you want the opportunity to share your experience on the ground with other European politicians?

If you want to apply for this theme, you need to be available to tra​vel to Brussels on the following dates:​​

• 12 to 14 May 2020 for a dedicated event on the contribution of the local level to the Green Deal and for the CoR plenary session,
• 12 to 15 October 2020 for the EU Week of Regions and cities.

3. Future of Europe

Do you want to shape the future of Europe? Are you willing to bring the EU closer to the public in your region or city?

If you want to apply for this theme, you need to be available to travel to Brussels on the following dates:

• 29 June to 2 July 2020 for the EuroPCom conference and the CoR plenary session,
• 12 to 15 October 2020 for the EU Week of Regions and cities.

Selected candidates will participate in tailor-made programmes and will have the opportunity to meet and network with other politicians at local, national and European level. The CoR will reimburse travel costs and pay a subsistence allowance of EUR 274.

In order to apply, you must:

• hold a democratic mandate as an elected politician at regional or local level in a Member State of the European Union,
• be no more than 40 years old on the first day of the first event you will attend,
• not hold a mandate as CoR member or alternate,
• have a good level of English (as some events will take place in English only),
• complete this application form and submit it no later than 5 March for those applying for the theme of Cohesion Policy, or 31 March for the other two topics,
• demonstrate knowledge of and direct commitment to the subject area for which you are applying.

Apply to join the 2020 YEP Programme

Candidates will be selected with an eye to ensuring balance in terms of gender, regional and local representation, political affiliation and nationality. They will be informed of the selection results in April (mid-March for those selecting the Cohesion Policy theme).

For more information visit the YEP website.

Source: European Committee of the Regions