If you are an aspiring journalist who wants to report on what the EU is really doing on the ground, Youth4Regions is one of the best launchpads in Europe. This European Commission programme brings young reporters to Brussels to work alongside renowned journalists, train in EU Cohesion Policy, gain a mentor, and cover the EU Regions' Week, with travel, accommodation, and food all covered. It can even open the door to a paid reporting mission and a journalism prize.
About the Programme
Youth4Regions is the European Commission programme that helps journalism students and young journalists discover what the EU is doing in their region. It provides training on journalism and EU Cohesion Policy, mentorship from established journalists in your own country, and the chance to work alongside renowned journalists during the EU Regions' Week.
Selected participants also visit EU affairs media headquarters and EU institutions, and take part as journalists in European Commission press trips to Member States, with all expenses covered by the European Commission. At its heart is a journalism competition that invites young aspiring journalists to submit original work on projects co-funded by cohesion policy funds and the European Solidarity Fund (EUSF), in the form of articles, photos, or video and audio reports.
What They Offer Selected Participants
🗞️ An invitation to cover the EU Regions' Week in Brussels, working side by side with renowned journalists, with accommodation, food, and travel expenses covered by the European Commission
🎓 Training sessions on journalism and EU Cohesion Policy
🤝 Mentorship and networking with established journalists
🏛️ Study visits to EU affairs media headquarters and EU institutions
🏆 The opportunity to be shortlisted for the Megalizzi-Niedzielski Prize
✈️ The chance to become a Cohesion Correspondent 2027, covering EU policy on the ground during an all-expenses-paid two-week reporting mission
Who Can Participate
This programme is for citizens of any EU Member State or EU neighbouring country who are interested in what the EU and Cohesion Policy are doing in their region. Applicants should be aged 18 to 30 at the time of the programme (10 to 16 October 2026) and demonstrate a real interest in a journalistic career through studies and/or work or volunteering experience, with a maximum of three years of full-time work experience after graduating.
Eligible applicants should:
🌍 Be a citizen of an EU Member State or an EU neighbouring country
🎂 Be from 18 to 30 years old
📝 Demonstrate a real interest in journalism through studies and/or work experience, or be a recent journalism graduate (up to two years since graduation) with up to two years of journalism experience
🚫 Not have participated in previous editions of the Youth4Regions Programme
How It Works
Selected applicants will be invited to attend the Youth4Regions Programme during the EU Regions' Week in Brussels, Belgium, in October 2026. The organisers cover travel and accommodation costs, so you can focus on learning, reporting, and building your network.
How to Apply
📋 Fill in the online application form
🖊️ Send a short article (2,500 to 6,250 words), a photo report (3 pictures), or a video report (2 to 3 minutes) covering a project co-financed by the European Union, except for Erasmus+ study abroad projects
🌐 Contributions are accepted in all 24 official EU languages. Video submissions must include a written summary in English.
Deadline
07 July 2026, 17:00 CEST
Links
🔗 Read more and apply: https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/policy/communication/partnership-with-media/youth4regions_en
