European Year of Youth 2022

Young people have been strongly affected by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in their lives, education and careers. The European Year of Youth 2022 is dedicated to them.

It will intensify efforts to include youth priorities in relevant EU policy areas and at every level of the EU’s decision-making process. Special emphasis is placed on the need to support young people with fewer chances, to acquire relevant knowledge and experiences to be active and engaged citizens.

At all levels, EU, national, regional or local, the European Year of Youth aims to support young people to engage in opportunities that can boost their personal and professional development.

Who can apply

Students currently enrolled in a master’s programme, in any discipline, at a university in an EU Member State can apply to this initiative. Students from disadvantaged and diverse backgrounds or belonging to vulnerable and marginalised groups are particularly encouraged to apply.  

How to apply

If you are eligible, you can apply by filling your profile in the Horizon Europe Funding and Tenders Portal, following the guidance.

You also need to include a short description of your motivation to become a Young Observer explaining why you should be selected, as well as enclose a recommendation letter from your supervisor/ professor.

The selection process for the Young Observers is continuous, from the opening of the call (1st April 2022) to call closure (14 December 2022). Young Observers will be invited at different times, according to the timetable of the evaluations. Apply now to maximise your chances.

What happens if you are selected?

Once selected as a Young Observer you will be invited to participate in Horizon Europe call evaluations taking place from September 2022. The evaluations cover all fields of science in the broad sense, ranging from social sciences and humanities to natural sciences and engineering.

You will take part from the beginning of the evaluations of the relevant call to the recommendation of funded proposals in the so-called ‘panel meeting’.

The evaluations take place online, but in limited cases an onsite evaluation meeting in Brussels might take place. In case of onsite participation, the travel and accommodation costs and a daily allowance will be covered by the European Commission.

You will receive an introductory seminar that will cover all aspects of the evaluation, including practical training and ethical issues (confidentiality, conflicts of interest, code of conduct, etc.) to help you become sufficiently familiar with the process and topics evaluated and make the most of your experience.

From the start of your observation of the evaluation process, you will be matched with a mentor from the European Commission, who will accompany you throughout the process.

Your part in the process 

During the evaluation, you will have the following roles:

• observe the conduct of the evaluation process
• participate in a dedicated seminar on the evaluation process as well as practical and ethical issues around your participation
• take part in consensus and panel meetings, as an observer
• draft a short report, describing your perspective of the evaluation as a Young Observer

After the evaluation, you may be invited to participate in follow-up activities that could be organised by universities and other partners with the support of the European Commission, to share your experience.

Universities are important partners in this initiative and can encourage and support applicants. Universities with students participating in Horizon Europe evaluations as Young Observers may be invited to take part in follow-up activities at different levels (European, national, regional) that will aim to share the Young Observers’ experience in research communities.

Please see the source page for more info