Youth Empowerment Seminar
The biggest event in YFU returns on 22–26 June 2026
What is the YES?
The Youth Empowerment Seminar (YES) is a yearly event hosted by Youth For Understanding, gathering more than 100 volunteers and 400 students who get the chance to learn about active citizenship and topics of global interest, but also to talk about their exchange experience with the volunteers and the other students.
The YES aims to empower participants to expand upon the learnings gained through exchange programmes or other intercultural experiences, while connecting with the global YFU community, and thus become proactive and globally-oriented agents of change.
Watch the official After Movie of YES 2024!
YES 2026
Shape the Future - It depends on You(th)
The YES 2026 will take place near Berlin from 22–26 June 2026, bringing together 400 participants and 100 volunteers for a week dedicated to this year’s theme, Shape the Future – It Depends on You(th). Together, we’ll explore what it means to be an active citizen and how young people can drive meaningful change.
Are you curious about how to make a real impact on the issues you care about—like discrimination, democracy, or climate action? At the YES 2026, you’ll discover the tools you already have, learn how your exchange experience can strengthen your voice, and see how even small actions can lead to bigger change.
Throughout the seminar, we’ll dive into inspiring examples of civic engagement around the world and uncover the many ways you can shape society, for example at school, in local communities, online, and in non-profit spaces. You’ll meet passionate like-minded people from around the world, spark new ideas, and build lasting connections with fellow changemakers.
Since 2005, the YES has been held each year (bar 2020 and 2021) at EjB Werbellinsee, in Germany. The camp is spread over 105 hectares and offers access to sleep and eat to hundreds of people, as well as an opening to the beach and Werbellinsee lake.
The venue
Whether you’re looking for a place to socialise with other exchange students and volunteers or you’re more interested in the topic we prepare each year, the YES has a bit of everything for everyone.
Your days will be spent between learning sessions, socialising during our Spirit Activities or at the lounge, or reflect with well-prepared volunteers about your exchange experience.
The YES is the most special event in the YFU world, and an opportunity for hundreds of students to mingle with each other, to learn, and to get an insight into the fantastic world of YFU volunteers.
