CoR - Committee of the Regions

03/02/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/02/2026 03:07

Applications for the 2026 Young Elected Politicians Programme are now open

The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) has announced that the next call for its Young Elected Politicians (YEP) Programme will run from 2 March until 17 April 2026, inviting young local and regional leaders to join one of the EU's most dynamic political networks.

The YEP Programme is a CoR initiative designed for politicians between 18 and 35 years old who hold an elected mandate at local or regional level in an EU Member State or an EU candidate country. Since its creation in 2019, the programme has grown into a network of  almost 1,000 young representatives, offering training, exposure to EU decision-making, and direct collaboration with CoR members.

Who can apply?

To be eligible, applicants must:

  • Be elected by direct universal suffrage at local or regional level in an EU Member State or candidate country.
  • Be born after 1 January 1991.
  • Not hold a mandate as a CoR member or alternate.
  • Have a good level of English.

Candidates are selected based on the quality of their application and with attention to gender balance, political diversity, and regional representation.

How to apply?

Why join the YEP network?

Becoming a YEP offers young leaders the opportunity to:

  • Network with peers across the EU and candidate countries, as well as with CoR members and political groups.
  • Exchange best practices on policy issues via dedicated platforms.
  • Gain insights into EU legislation and funding opportunities.
  • Speak on behalf of their regions and municipalities in the European legislative process.
  • Increase their visibility through communication support and tailored training.

What does the Programme offer?

The YEP Programme is closely linked to the institutional work of the CoR. Participants can take part in:

  • Debates and consultations within thematic commissions.
  • Conferences, seminars, and national delegation meetings.
  • Political group meetings and CoR plenary sessions.
  • Major CoR events such as EuroPCom, the European Week of Regions and Cities or the European Summit of Regions and Cities.
  • Events both in Brussels and across the EU, joining sessions that may be online, hybrid, or in-person.

With the new application window opening 2 March - 17 April 2026, the CoR invites young leaders eager to shape Europe's future to express their interest and join a growing network invested in strengthening democratic participation across regions and cities.

Background
Do you want to learn more about what the YEP Programme offers and discover insights, key milestones and highlights of past activities?

Contact
Evangelia Tomara
Tel. +3222822125 Email: [email protected]

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