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With only one week to go before the European Youth Event and the YO!Fest in Strasbourg, it is important to acknowledge the amount of work going on behind the scenes. Of course, many people have been working for months to prepare for this historical youth event just before the European elections.

This story is about some of them: the volunteers.

We wanted to know what pushed them to get involved as volunteers for this unique 5th edition of the YO!Fest.

“A festival connected to politics and aiming at youth? It sounded too good”, said Kamila from Czech Republic. “I’ve watched all the videos of the previous editions and got pretty excited!” said Theodora (Bulgaria), already experienced with volunteering at the Red Cross Youth. “I believed that volunteering at the EYE would allow me to get involved in a European event that gathers people who have a real desire to shape Europe’s future. I considered that opportunity to be a very interesting one, together with the possibility to contribute to the reinforcement of civil society and youth empowerment,” answered Helena, a young Portuguese girl.

From Theodora’s point of view, she really expects to meet new people engaged with youth politics from all over Europe. It will be the opportunity to learn a lot about the organisations that defend youth rights in Europe. “The stands in the YO!Village all sound pretty interesting to me” she concluded.

Recognising the quality of volunteering is a key priority of the European Youth Forum. We would like to warmly thank the volunteers from all over Europe that will help make the YO!Fest happen this year.

So big up to: Kristen, Indre, Nicolas, Dan, Barbora, Luisa, Mireia, Roberto, Jonathan, Martin, Julius, Emil, Ana Luz, Theodora, Pekka, Despoina, Christina, Kamila, Helena and Maria! See you at the EYE!

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