Call For Application |CEPS Young Thinkers 2024

Deadline: 02 December 2023

The CEPS Young Thinkers initiative is back for 2024 with “CEPS Young Thinkers 2024: European Elections”!

I. Background

Born in 2021, the CEPS Young Thinkers initiative is an innovative forum driven by and for youth to elevate emerging voices, expand their professional and leadership skills, and empower them to participate in forward-looking European policy debates. Throughout the Young Thinkers programme, selected emerging voices gain direct insight into how independent civil society can influence policy with evidence-based, innovative ideas.

To pursue this mission, “CEPS Young Thinkers 2024: European Elections” will convene approximately 25 students and young professionals to formulate ideas for the future of Europe in view of the 2024 European Parliament elections and beyond. The selected Young Thinker cohort will be diverse in terms of gender, nationality, socio-economic background, and lived experience.

CEPS Young Thinkers 2024 comprises three key elements: Visions, Voices, and Views. In Visions, CEPS Young Thinkers will co-create a Youth Election Platform laying out their priorities for future European policy debates. Throughout, Young Thinkers will find and strengthen their Voices by engaging with policymakers both in closed-door discussions with thought leaders and policymakers and producing short video clips to communicate their ideas more widely. CEPS Young Thinkers will take part in a Brussels visit in late April or early May to experience Brussels policymaking firsthand and may also benefit from select opportunities to participate in public panel discussions. Under Views, the CEPS Young Thinkers cohort will transform into a “shadow” youth College of Commissioners and will write op-ed style commentaries expressing their evidence-based takes on emerging priorities for the next legislative cycle.

II. What’s in it for you as a CEPS Young Thinker?

Co-creating a Youth Election Platform to influence the pre-election policy debate;
Publishing an op-ed style commentary on the Young Thinkers website;
Meeting young people interested in making a difference in key policy areas and building your network;
Participating in an all-expenses covered trip to Brussels;
Developing your writing and communications skills;
Meeting with thought leaders and policymakers;
...and more.

III. What will you have to commit to as a CEPS Young Thinker?

Please note that, if selected, your participation throughout the programme will be expected and encouraged!

By 12 January 2024: Notification of selection of CEPS Young Thinkers;
Late January/early February 2024: Kick-off meeting;
February-April 2024: Monthly closed-door meetings with thought leaders/policy experts and co-creation of the Youth Election Platform (to be communicated throughout May/June via 1-minute videos);
Late April/early May 2024: Pre-elections Brussels visit;
June-October 2024: Training for and drafting of op-ed style commentaries for future legislative cycle

IV. Eligibility :

You are a student or young professional (max. 3 years of work experience) aged 28 or less on 1 January 2023;
You are engaged in making a difference at the community level;
Those with diverse backgrounds in activism, art, STEM, etc. are all encouraged to apply!
You have a demonstrated motivation to learn about European policy debates and are able to commit to the activities described above (no previous experience required!);
You have a collaborative spirit and look forward to having fun!

The CEPS Young Thinkers Initiative aims to foster an engaged community of young people from diverse backgrounds. As such, candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. In-depth knowledge of EU policy is not a pre-requisite to become a Young Thinker.

V. How to Apply?

To apply, please click HERE
Due to the high number of applicants, CEPs Young Thinkers initiative cannot provide individualised feedback on everyone's applications. They will notify of your selection result regardless of its outcome.

Vi. About CEPS Young Thinkers initiative?

Born in 2021, the CEPS Young Thinkers initiative is an innovative forum driven by and for youth to elevate diverse voices, expand their professional and leadership skills, and empower them to participate in forward-looking European policy debates of crucial importance.

Throughout the Young Thinkers programme, selected emerging voices gain direct insight into how independent civil society can influence policy with evidence-based and innovative ideas.

Young Thinkers exchange with policymakers and practitioners in closed-door discussions, participate in a Brussels trip, train their writing and public speaking skills, draft timely, incisive, and relevant publications on policies of interest, and feature in events.

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