Call for Applications: Youth Ambassador at the 8th German-Baltic Conference
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Application Form, open until August 2, 2026
The German-Baltic Future Foundation (DBJW) invites you to apply for the 8th German-Baltic Youth Conference in Tallinn in October! As a Youth Ambassador, you have the chance to shape your ideas for a self-determined Europe into impactful policy recommendations that are heard by politicians and other decision-makers in Brussels and beyond!
What? Becoming a Youth Ambassador at the German-Baltic Youth Conference means discussing your ideas for one of three dimensions of a self-determined Europe, meeting other young European visionaries, and broadening your horizon! The conference is structured into three clusters, each one developing policy recommendations under the guidance of a Head of Cluster. Following the conference, selected Youth Ambassadors will present the policy papers to Members of the European Parliament in Brussels in December.
When? The conference takes place on 15-18 October in Tallinn, Estonia. Online meetings in preparation for the conference start in September.
For whom? For young persons living in any European country between the ages of 16 and 30 years old who are fluent in English. We explicitly welcome applications from persons with non-academic backgrounds and limited knowledge of European politics.
Costs? In exchange for covering accommodation and catering during the conference, as well as parts of your travel costs, we require a participation fee of 50-100€, depending on your country of residence. Please see the details below and reach out to us, if the participation fee would bar you from applying.
How? Apply via this form until August 2, 23:59 CEST. When filling out the application form, we appreciate originality and creativity, so we encourage you to share your own ideas and experiences rather than relying on AI-generated responses.
Theme of this year's conference:
The conference theme this year is "Self-Determination", and will be explored along three angles:
Cluster A: Total Defence and Preparedness, headed by Jonas Hoppe
This cluster focuses on the practice of 'total defence' and crisis preparedness, taking the Baltic states as its starting point. As total defence is based on the integration of military, economic, and civilian dimensions – which merge into a society-wide approach – the cluster will examine the role played by political will and public acceptance within the context of evolving threats, and how these threats impact the various levels of response (EU/NATO, national, and local levels). Building on these aspects, the cluster will develop policy recommendations that address the overarching theme of the conference – namely that a society's capacity for self-determination depends on its ability to defend and sustain itself in the face of crises.
Cluster B: Countering Disinformation, headed by Maisa Mattila
The fast and wide-reaching spread of disinformation is one of today's main challenges for Europe. Both foreign powers and domestic anti-democratic movements intentionally create and spread narratives to undermine European countries' sovereignty and right to self-determination, limit our policy options, and divide societies. This cluster seeks to develop concrete, bottom-up ways in which to effectively combat the spread of disinformation, especially among the young generations.
Cluster C: EU Enlargement – Seizing the Momentum, headed by Yulia Dziuba
The European Union's enlargement policy has re-emerged as one of the EU's most strategic geopolitical priorities. Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, growing security challenges, and increasing geopolitical competition have transformed enlargement from a long-term political aspiration into a strategic necessity for ensuring peace, democracy, and resilience across Europe.
This cluster will explore how the European Union can seize the current momentum to make enlargement more credible, efficient, and sustainable while ensuring that both candidate countries and the EU itself are prepared for a larger Union. The discussions will focus on practical policy recommendations addressed to the European Parliament and other EU institutions.
As a Youth Ambassador, you will have the opportunity to join a cluster, discuss key challenges related to your subtopic, and help draft a policy paper proposing solutions. You may also be selected to present your paper alongside fellow cluster members at a hearing with Members of the European Parliament in Brussels.
The cluster work takes place in three stages. First, you will participate in weekly online meetings in September and October to meet your fellow Youth Ambassadors and Head of Cluster, learn about your topic, and gain an introduction to policy paper writing. Second, during the German-Baltic Conference in Tallinn (15–18 October 2026), you will discuss your subtopic in person and begin drafting your policy paper. Third, following the conference, you will continue working online with your cluster to finalize the paper and prepare for the parliamentary hearing in December.
The completed policy papers will not only be presented to European policymakers but will also be shared with decision-makers at the local, national, and EU levels through DBJW networks and events.
For taking part in the conference, a participation fee of 50€ (if you are living in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, Ukraine, Slovenia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Albania, Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia or Türkiye) or 100€ (if you live in the rest of Europe) will be required. For the participation fee, you will receive compensation of up to 100€ (Baltic residents) or 200€ (rest of Europe) in travel expenses in addition to free lodging in double rooms and catering during the conference. In case of financial difficulties, please contact us!
If you have any questions, please contact Frederike Kanschat: f.kanschat.dbjw@deutsch-balten.de
The deadline for applications is August 2, 2026, 23:59 CEST.
If you would like to find out more about our work, visit us at www.dbjw.org!
