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The Young Changemakers’ Academy is a dynamic programme and a vibrant platform where your journey as a changemaker begins! 

The aim is to prepare young people to take active part in their respective communities through focused engagement in key policy areas. You will have the chance to participate in three in-person events and benefit from networking support to connect with other young people, YCA Alumni and senior political figures from all over Europe with similar interests and objectives. 

The Young Changemakers Academy is organised by the European Liberal Forum (ELF) with the support of LYMEC (European Liberal Youth) and our partners. 

Do you feel passionate about a cause? Do you have an idea for a project? Become part of a community dedicated to political advocacy, innovation, and creating a lasting impact. Make change happen!  

Event I - ”Crafting a vision” 

Friday 5 April to Sunday 7 April - Dublin, Ireland

The first event will include an introduction to the Academy along with a presentation of the participants' respective advocacy causes and personal development plans. They will learn to navigate their projects by setting clear milestones and SMART goals and discover the art of crafting compelling pitches that captivate the audience and secure the support their projects deserve. This event will also focus on social media and communication skills, creating a brand for each project and seeking how to communicate it through a clear strategy.

By the end of this first seminar, participants will:

• Set their learning objectives;
• Present a clear development plan for their projects;
• Have a clear idea on the communication tools and how to use them for their projects;
• Know how to make a greater impact for their causes through social media and outreach strategies;
• Work on their personal and project branding.

Event II - “Getting your voice heard” 

Friday 10 May to Sunday 12 May - Oslo, Norway

The second event offers a comprehensive programme equipping the changemakers with a toolkit for impactful advocacy. Participants will be inspired and guided to progress on their own advocacy causes, learn about activism and gain insights from both the perspective of an experienced lobbyist and someone who has experienced in being lobbied. They will also have the chance to sharpen their public speaking skills.

By the end of this second seminar, participants will:

• Learn about grassroot activism and how to achieve a broader impact on youth;
• Get hands-on experience of lobbying processes;
• Know how to make a greater impact for their causes;
• Have a clear vision of the next steps in their advocacy project processes and how to make them happen - clear progress on the development plan is visible.

Event III  - ‘’Building bridges: Networking and Fundraising for Stakeholder engagement’’

Friday 18 October to Sunday 20 October -  Brussels, Belgium  

In this final event, the participants will meet MEPs or other relevant experts in the field of their own projects to increase the hands-on understanding of advocacy on an EU level. We will also touch upon fundraising, approaching stakeholders and learning how to build meaningful connections through networking. The event will end with a joint discussion about what was learned and what insights the participants gained. By the end of this seminar, participants will:

• Evaluate their experience and outcomes of their projects;
• Identify further actions and next steps for their projects beyond the Academy;
• Gain insights into democratic processes and learn how a project could get an even broader impact at a higher scale (i.e. European level);
• Have grown their network significantly with relevant European political figures and experts;
• Have an idea on how to engage MEPs and experts for a cause and manage to represent their interests at a European level.

Additional support/activities: 

• The Changemakers’ Network: imagine a space where each participant is not just a member, but a key component propelling the Changemakers' Network forward: our mission is to build an environment that mirrors the aspirations and contributions of its members. You will be invited to provide peer support to each other with your challenges/projects relating to the learning objectives of the programme;
• Mentorship Programme: this isn't just about networking - it's about creating powerful connections and gaining expertise from like-minded individuals who share your passion and drive for change. You will benefit from the guidance of mentors who've been former YCA participants and are eager to share their knowledge with you.
• Additional activities: you will have access to the ELF online platform and interactive sessions taking place between the second and the third event; the ELF “My Academy” online platform will be used to deepen the knowledge and give additional tools to the changemakers, as well as to evaluate their progress throughout the Academy (2 blocks will be foreseen).

 Application criteria:

• CV (TO BE UPLOADED IN THE FORM)
• Motivation letter (TO BE UPLOADED IN THE FORM)
• Nomination letter by a LYMEC Member Organisation or IMS Steering Committee (to be sent by email to [email protected] and [email protected]) 
• Completing the form and replying to all the questions
• Short description (maximum 250 words) about the advocacy project the applicant is planning to work on to shape his/her future and community (IN THE FORM)
• The advocacy project idea must be original, the project of an existing organisation or platform will not be accepted. Yet, it can be an already running project if the participant takes leadership and ownership of it and there is a willingness and possibility for further development or improvement of the project during and after the Academy. 
• The applicant must be between 18 and 35 years of age.

To be eligible for the YCA program, applicants must not be candidates for any election at any level of government in the 12 months prior to, during, or after the last YCA event. Paid campaign staff are also not eligible to apply. If an applicant does not meet this requirement, their application will be rejected.

 Call for Applications:

• The YCA Programme is open to the general public, ELF staff and Members and European interlocutors under the same conditions as LYMEC MOs and IMS.
• Every LYMEC Member Organisation (MO) will be able to nominate one person as an applicant. 
• Individual Members of LYMEC (IMS) can also apply by following the same application process. The nomination letter should be written by the IMS Steering Committee.
• A nomination letter signed by a representative of the MO or IMS Steering Committee should be sent by email to [email protected] AND [email protected] before the deadline.
• All applications, fulfilling all specified application requirements, have to be submitted by 23 February 2024 at 14 h 00 pm CET (Brussels time). 
• Only 10 spots are available for this programme. Therefore, MOs are encouraged to look thoroughly for a promising participant and project in their organisation.

 Evaluation criteria:

• Having a strong and preferably demonstrable interest in getting involved in youth advocacy.
• Full commitment: Participation in ALL 3 events and online sessions is required (if need be skipping other commitments), as well as to proactively participate in the broader (online) course and feedback process during the whole duration of the programme. Refrain from applying if you can’t participate in-person to all the events and fulfil this requirement (the dates of the events are fixed)! 
• Be an actor of change that has the potential to shape the future of your given community or society.
• Work seriously on the development of an advocacy project with clear objectives defined and a development plan.
• In addition, if the number and level of quality of applications overcome our expectations, priority will be given to the applicants who show the greatest level of need for the skills hereby provided and who better pitch/present their advocacy project plan.

Participation fee: There will be no participation costs, meals and accommodation will be fully covered for the in-person components of the YCA programme.

Commitment fee: the selected participants will have to pay about 20 EUR of deposit fee to the European Liberal Forum at the beginning of the Academy. The deposit fee will be fully reimbursed at the end of the YCA upon full completion of all the Academy components and in-person events. If the participant does not attend all 3 events, the deposit fee will not be refunded.

Travel reimbursement: There will be travel refunds by ELF after each event to at least partially reimburse your travel expenses to and from the event location. Participants must buy their own tickets and request a reimbursement after the event. Please keep all original receipts, tickets, invoices and boarding passes. If those are missing, the travel refund cannot be processed.

Participants need to be minimum 18 years old at the start of the event. By registering for this event you agree to our updated privacy policy and understand that your personal data will be shared with the European Liberal Forum and hotels for administrative purposes. You also agree your name to appear during the online event to other participants and to a broader public during live-streamed sessions.

PLEASE NOTE: If you are from a non-EU country, please check the entry conditions to the Republic of Ireland (location of the first YCA event) and the visa requirements that apply for your country. After successful admission to the Academy, in case you need an invitation letter, we can support you with that request. 

Timeline: 

• Event 1: Friday 5 April to Sunday 7 April - Dublin, Ireland

• Event 2: Friday 10 May to Sunday 12 May - Oslo, Norway

• Block 1 online lessons: June/July

• Block 2 online lessons: August/September

• Event 3: Friday 18 October to Sunday 20 October -  Brussels, Belgium  

This event is organised by the European Liberal Forum in cooperation with LYMEC. Co-funded by the European Parliament. The views expressed herein are those of the speaker(s) alone. These views do not necessarily reflect those of the European Parliament and/or the European Liberal Forum.”    

Events organised by European Liberal Youth (LYMEC) and ELF (European Liberal Forum) may be audio- and video-recorded as well as web-streamed. A photographer and/or a cameraman, contracted by LYMEC, may have access to the meeting room in order to take pictures and videos for communication and publication purposes. Videos and pictures taken by the photographer and/or cameraman, contracted by LYMEC, may also be published on the LYMEC website and on related social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, etc.). They may also be used in other media and means of communication in order to pass on information about the event and activities of LYMEC. The European Liberal Forum might also use the pictures, video or audio in their communications. ***Disclaimer: By registering for this event you give your permission for LYMEC and European Liberal Forum to use your picture in their promotional campaigns and materials and communication about the event. Please make it clear in advance if you do not wish your picture to be used by LYMEC or ELF.***