Become the Voice of YFU in Europe
Call for Volunteers: Join the Pool of Representatives 2027–2028
Help make youth exchange heard where decisions are made
The Pool of Representatives (PoR) is where your YFU spirit meets advocacy in action. As a PoR member, you work toward making international youth exchange better recognized, more strongly supported, and reflected in policy across Europe and beyond.
You might join European policy meetings, contribute to discussion forums, speak about the impact of high school exchange and volunteering, draft position papers, take part in youth forums, or connect with organizations and allies who share our vision.
It is your chance to represent YFU with conviction, learn how advocacy works in practice, and help strengthen international youth exchange.
Represent. Connect. Advocate.
YFU represents Youth For Understanding (YFU) in the European public arena, often in cooperation with other youth organizations and partners. Since 2009, the PoR has brought together motivated volunteers from different YFU organizations who help make YFU’s perspective visible in European and international youth policy and strengthen the network’s advocacy capacity.
The Pool contributes to YFU’s advocacy priorities, including recognition of exchange periods abroad, funding for pupil mobility and youth organizations, recognition of volunteering and non-formal education, and the promotion of intercultural education and global competencies.
Advocacy in Action
As a member of the Pool of Representatives, you can:
• Represent YFU at European and international events, for example in youth policy meetings, stakeholder consultations, conferences, or working groups.
• Follow policy developments relevant to YFU, such as Erasmus+, pupil mobility, funding opportunities, recognition of study periods abroad, volunteering, and youth work.
• Share key updates with the YFU network and help translate policy developments into useful information for member organizations.
• Identify opportunities for cooperation with partners, youth organizations, and institutions.
• Contribute to advocacy messages, position-building, and visibility for YFU at national, regional, and international level.
• Take part in virtual PoR meetings around once a month and report back from activities.
Where YFU has a Seat at the Table
Current PoR portfolios include:
• European Youth Forum
• Council of Europe, especially the Conference of International NGOs
• Lifelong Learning Platform and its working groups
• EU Youth Stakeholder Group and European Youth Dialogue
• Erasmus+ Individual Pupil Mobility and recognition of study periods abroad
• Advocacy updates to YFU membership
Could this be You?
We are looking for volunteers with ambition, curiosity, and skills in representation, argumentation, networking, and outreach — and, of course, a heart full of YFU spirit.
• You are at least 18 years old and currently residing in Europe.
• You are fluent in English and comfortable speaking up.
• You can commit to a two-year mandate starting in January 2027.
• You are available to travel to multi-day events during the mandate.
• Knowledge of political science is an advantage, but not a requirement.
• You must be endorsed by a YFU member organization. The Global Office will confirm this during the evaluation period.
Please note: Most PoR members will be under 30 years old, as many representation opportunities are intended for youth. However, we welcome applicants with different levels of experience.
The Timelines
• Application deadline: August 31, 2026
• Selection results: by mid-September 2026
• Mandate: January 2027 to December 2028
Mandatory training: new representatives must participate in a five-day in-person training course in Switzerland in January or February 2027.
Take the Next Step
Please submit your application using the application form. A selection committee will review all applications. If you are selected as a candidate for the PoR, we will confirm your nomination with the YFU organization you have been active in.
