For five intensive days, young activists from 13 European countries came together in Hattingen, Germany. They met at the Generation Europe Ambassador Conference 2025 to share experiences and develop new skills. The focus of the event was to strengthen their roles as mentors in local youth groups and as multipliers for the concerns of young people in Europe.
It was the last meeting of Ambassadors from the entire Generation Europe network in the current programme phase (2021-2025). So the conference focused on a crucial transition: The participants worked on shifting their mindset from being an Ambassador in the network to becoming an Ambassador of the values they have internalised, in order to use their skills for future engagement, both within and outside of Generation Europe – The Academy.
Empowerment in Practice
The conference focused on workshops to help the young activists in their ongoing work, for example by developing leadership skills that are suitable for democratic and participatory environments. Other formats, such as “Speed Networking” and planning “Dream Collaborations”, encouraged them to build alliances for their own future projects, also independent of the current programme’s structure.
The event also provided an opportunity for the young people to reflect on their personal journey. As one Ambassador, Valentina from Italy, put it: “We received so much and grew so much. We can now bring that to other people.” This feeling of empowerment was evident in virtually all the feedback gathered. Another participant, William from Sweden, concluded that taking part in the programme “was probably one of my best decisions ever”.
A Journey of Commitment
The Ambassador programme was born in a challenging time. When it started in 2021, the first trainings had to take place online, as the COVID-19 pandemic kept Europe in lockdown. Finding connection and a path to activism from a place of isolation was not easy, but the outcome is a testimony of remarkable commitment: Over the course of the programme, more than 140 young people were trained to become active multipliers for European democratic values and to act as mentors in their local communities. One Ambassador, Raghad from Sweden, had this to say about the bonds created and the impact on those involved: “If you feel insecure in your life, you can simply remember your experience within Generation Europe, and you are stronger.”
From Ideas to Impact
The network was never just about talking; it was about creating tangible change. A prime example of their collaborative power is the Guide to Activism, a comprehensive online resource they developed to empower other young people to get involved. They showcased their confidence and advocacy skills on a larger stage when delegates presented the guide at the German Child and Youth Welfare Congress (DJHT), the largest youth welfare summit in Europe. Enabling and fostering this journey of empowerment was also a central goal of the previous Ambassador Conferences in 2023 and 2024.
Kuldar Lilleois, who coordinates the Ambassador network at IBB e.V., summed it up: “Seeing these young people coming together with such passion is incredibly powerful. Many of them started this journey with us on a screen during lockdown. They now have a clear vision for their own future activism. By this, the Ambassadors are not only important for their local groups and the Generation Europe network as a whole; they have become a force for positive change in their own right.”
Building on a Strong Foundation
While this conference marked the final cross-network event for the Ambassadors in the current programme phase, their work continues, in their local groups and beyond. Also, the success of this model of peer-to-peer education has proven its value. Generation Europe – The Academy is currently exploring concepts to further develop the peer-to-peer, mentorship, and advocacy approaches for the next programme phase (2026-2028).