Youth of European Nationalities YEN / JEV

12/08/2026

International Youth Day — August 12

Every year on August 12, we mark International Youth Day, celebrating the vital role young people play in driving change across society — from climate action to technology, education, and community organizing.

At YEN/JEV this day resonates deeply. As an umbrella organization uniting young people from national minorities across Europe, we see every day how youth voices advocate for minority rights, cultural diversity, and inclusive societies.

To every young person reading this: keep pushing boundaries, keep asking questions, and keep believing in the impact you can make. The world needs your perspective now more than ever.

Happy International Youth Day! 🌱

05/08/2026

Marie is stepping into the role of Secretary General at YEN. 👋

Many of you already know her from seminars and now she'll be steering the office day to day. Here's what she wants you to know about how she sees this role:

"Minority youth across Europe are shaping their communities, demanding their rights, and navigating real political and socio-economic challenges. Most of them are still facing discrimination and exclusion on multiple levels.

YEN's role is to forge alliances among minority youth to advocate for equal rights and ensure their voices shape European decision-making.

This is why I believe the relationships and connections you form together as Members and friends of YEN matter more than ever. In this new role, I'm committed to care and mediation in order to support YEN, bringing minority youth together to exchange and work together.

Eastern, Western, Northern, Southern – however you identify within our national, ethnic, autochthonous, or linguistic minorities: let's collaborate!" 🤝

______________________________________________________________________________

Marie übernimmt die Rolle der Generalsekretärin bei der JEV. 👋
Viele von euch kennen sie bereits von Seminaren, und nun wird sie die tägliche Arbeit des Büros leiten. Hier ist, was sie euch darüber mitteilen möchte, wie sie diese Rolle sieht:

„Junge Menschen aus Minderheiten in ganz Europa prägen ihre Gemeinschaften, fordern ihre Rechte ein und stellen sich echten politischen und sozioökonomischen Herausforderungen. Die meisten von ihnen sind nach wie vor auf mehreren Ebenen mit Diskriminierung und Ausgrenzung konfrontiert.

Die Aufgabe der JEV ist es, Bündnisse unter Jugendlichen aus Minderheiten zu schmieden, um für gleiche Rechte einzutreten und sicherzustellen, dass ihre Stimmen die europäische Entscheidungsfindung mitgestalten.

Deshalb glaube ich, dass die Beziehungen und Verbindungen, die ihr als Mitglieder und Freund*innen der JEV miteinander knüpft, wichtiger denn je sind. In dieser neuen Rolle setze ich mich für Fürsorge und Vermittlung ein, um die JEV zu unterstützen und Jugendliche aus Minderheiten zusammenzubringen, damit sie sich austauschen und gemeinsam arbeiten können.

Ob aus dem Osten, Westen, Norden oder Süden – ganz gleich, wie ihr euch innerhalb unserer nationalen, ethnischen, autochthonen oder sprachlichen Minderheiten identifiziert: Lasst uns zusammenarbeiten!“ 🤝

02/08/2026

🕯️ Dikh He Na Bister — Look and don’t forget.

On 2 August, we commemorate the Roma and Sinti murdered during the Holocaust. brings together young Roma and non-Roma from across Europe to remember, learn and stand united against antigypsyism, hatred and discrimination.

As YEN, we stand in solidarity with Roma communities — today and every day. 🤝

Minorities for minorities. Never again.

02/08/2026

Dikh He Na Bister – “Look and don’t forget” – is a project bringing together young Roma and non-Roma from across Europe to remember the victims of the Roma Holocaust, confront antigypsyism and defend human rights today. 🕯️

On 2 August, commemorations take place in Auschwitz-Birkenau and in many other places across Europe. Together, we honour the Sinti and Roma murdered during the Holocaust and show our solidarity with Roma communities everywhere.

As YEN, we stand with you — today and every day. 🤝

Minorities for minorities.
Never again.
Sei Mensch.

Against hate, incitement and discrimination. For remembrance, dignity and solidarity. Remembering the past also means taking responsibility for the present and ensuring that hatred never again turns into persecution and violence.

Dikh He Na Bister. Look and don’t forget. 🕯️

01/08/2026

On August 2nd, we remember. 🕯️
Since 2010, young Roma and non-Roma have come together every year to commemorate the anniversary of August 2nd — the Roma Holocaust Memorial Day. Through international exchanges, young people learn together about the Holocaust, antigypsyism, and human rights in the present day.
On this date, we honor the last 4,300 Sinti and Roma murdered by the SS at Auschwitz-Birkenau in a single night in 1944, despite their fierce resistance. In memory of all 500,000 Sinti and Roma killed across Nazi-occupied Europe, the European Parliament officially declared August 2nd the European Holocaust Memorial Day for Sinti and Roma in 2015.
This remembrance is also a call to action. A new generation of Roma youth faces a world in crisis, yet takes the lead for radical change — pushing for the demands of to be heard, and working toward real Roma equality across Europe.
Remembering the past. Demanding justice in the present. Opre Roma. ✊🏽
RomaYouth SintiAndRoma HumanRightsminorityrightsarehumanrights

17/06/2026

🇩🇪 Connecting Voices 2026 🌍

Während unseres letzten Seminars haben wir Erfahrungen geteilt, über die unterschiedlichen Lebensrealitäten gesprochen und uns mit Diskriminierung, Vorurteilen und strukturellem Antiziganismus beschäftigt.

Wir haben erforscht wie wir Storytelling als Werkzeug nutzen können um unsere eigene Identität, Zugehörigkeit und Kultur zu teilen aber auch um uns selbst besser kennenzulernen.

Ein großes Dankeschön an alle, die dabei waren, sich eingebracht, zugehört, Fragen gestellt, getanzt und dieses Seminar mitgestaltet haben.

Ihr wollt weiter dabei bleiben? Verfolgt unsere kommenden Open Calls, teilt eure Ideen mit eurer Organisation und haltet Ausschau nach unseren nächsten Veranstaltungen.

🇬🇧 Connecting Voices 2026 🌍

Throughout the week of our last seminar, we shared experiences, discussed the realities of minority youth in Europe and confronted discrimination, prejudice and structural antigypsyism.

We explored how we can use Storytelling as a tool to not only share our identity, belonging and culture but also to get to know ourselves better.

A big thank you to everyone who joined, contributed, listened, questioned, danced and co-created this seminar with us.

Want to stay involved? Follow our upcoming calls, share your ideas with your organisation and keep an eye on our next opportunities.

MinorityRights YouthOfEuropeanNationalities

03/06/2026

Whether Roma, Sorbs, Frisians, Ladins, Pomaks or Meskhetian Turks – they all belong to minorities without a kin-state to support them. From 2 to 5 July 2026, their representatives will meet in Ljouwert/Leeuwarden in Fryslân/Friesland (Netherlands) for the 10th annual meeting of the FUEN Non-Kin-State Working Group (NKS). This year’s focus: How can minority languages gain more visibility in the digital sphere?

All details about the meeting can be found on our website.
👉 Link in the comments.

***

Ob Roma, Sorben, Friesen, Ladiner, Pomaken oder Turk-Mescheten – sie alle gehören Minderheiten an, die keinen eigenen Staat hinter sich haben. Vom 2. bis 5. Juli 2026 treffen sich ihre Vertreterinnen und Vertreter in Ljouwert/Leeuwarden in Fryslân/Friesland (Niederlande) zur 10. Jahrestagung der FUEN-Arbeitsgemeinschaft Non-Kin-State (NKS). Im Fokus der Diskussionen steht diesmal die Frage: Wie können Minderheitensprachen im digitalen Raum sichtbarer werden?

Alle Details zu der Tagung gibt es auf unserer Webseite.
👉 Link im Kommentar.

10/05/2026

🇬🇧YFJ General Assembly!🌟

Our President Johanna and Vice President for External Relations Wencke spent the last few days in the in Tromsø, Norway, the European Youth Capital 2026, to participate in the General Assembly of the European Youth Forum 🇳🇴🗳️

Three days filled with great conversations, constructive discussions, and many elections are behind us. And of course, lots of fun and fantastic teamwork within our Bloc the Exchange Group. 🫶🏻

Congratulations to all the newly elected members! We wish the new board every success in their work and look forward to a great collaboration! 🎉🤩

🇩🇪YFJ Generalversammlung!🌟

Unsere Präsidentin Johanna und Vize Präsidentin für Externes Wencke, haben die letzen Tage im in der europäischen Jugendhauptstadt 2026, Tromsø, Norwegen verbracht, um an der Generalversammlung des Europäischen Jugendforums teilzunehmen. 🇳🇴🗳️

Drei Tage mit guten Gesprächen, konstruktiven Diskussionen und vielen Wahlen liegen hinter uns. Und natürlich auch mit viel Spaß und einer super Zusammenarbeit innerhalb unserer Gruppe, der Exchange Group.🫶🏻

Herzlichen Glückwunsch an alle neu gewählten! Wir wünschen dem neuen Vorstand viel Erfolg bei der Arbeit und freuen uns auf eine gute Zusammenarbeit!🎉🤩

07/05/2026

Are you ready to dive deep into the world of European minorities? We invite you to the 16th Annual Summer School on National Minorities!

📍 Where? Flensburg, Germany 📅
When? 23–28 August 2026

🔍 Theme: “Europe’s Non-Kin-State Minorities: Profiles and Realities”

What to expect?

This intensive week offers a platform to examine the challenges faced by minorities who lack an external kin-state (NKSM)—such as Catalans, Sorbs, Sinti and Roma, or North Frisians.

✨ Program Highlights:

Expert Insight: Lectures and interactive workshops with renowned scholars

Real-World Perspective: Exclusive networking with local stakeholders and practitioners.

Immersive Experience: A field visit to the island of Föhr to experience the North Frisian community firsthand.

Academic Growth: A safe, intellectually nurturing space for critical discussion and new connections.

Who should apply? We are looking for 25 engaged participants, specifically:

- MA and PhD students from relevant fields.
- Practitioners from NGOs, the public sector, or mass media.

⏳ Final Deadline: 25 May 2026

🔗 How to join: Complete the online application form on our website and send your CV to [email protected].

Let’s explore the diversity of Europe together!







This Summer School is a joint initiative of the ECMI and the Coppieters Foundation.

06/05/2026