Come and be part of the biggest event in the YFU world
The Youth Empowerment Seminar is looking for the next Core Team to carry on the magic into 2027.
The Youth Empowerment Seminar is looking for the next team to carry on the magic into 2027. The YES is a unique opportunity for our exchange students to reunite with old friends from all over the world and make new ones, creating a bridge between the exchange year and the YFU volunteer life. It’s a fun learning experience where students explore what it means to be a citizen of the world through interactive learning activities. The international team of volunteers creates a unique spirit and an unforgettable experience for everyone at the YES. In 2027, the YES will celebrate its 40th anniversary, an extraordinary milestone that we will celebrate together. The anniversary will serve as both a moment of reflection and a source of inspiration, highlighting the lasting tradition and impact of the YES and how it continues to empower young people to shape a more peaceful and connected world.
The YES 2027 will take place 21 - 25 June 2027 in Germany, at Werbellinsee. All volunteers, except IGLs, will be requested to arrive to the YES on Saturday, 20th June, and depart on Saturday, 27th June.
The Leadership Team
The Leadership team is composed of volunteers in the most central leadership positions at the YES. This team has the overall responsibility for the YES, ensuring coordination, quality, and cohesion across all areas of the project as well as the strategic development of the event over time.
The Leadership team has the following responsibilities:
Strategic and executive responsibility of the entire YES project through the full project cycle (ca. 12 months), including maintaining a crisis response plan and coordinating security measures.
Coordination of the YES Volunteers’ Team, especially the core team members, including selection, team leadership, mentoring, the arrangement of preparatory work and meeting(s), and acting as responsible contact persons for reporting abuse or harassment.
Implementation of the strategic direction for the YES advised by the YES Advisory Group and YFU Global Office.
Evaluation of the YES as a whole in addition to their respective areas of responsibility.
Leadership Team Roles
Project Coordinator: Elisabeth Markert. She works in the Global Office, makes sure volunteers are empowered to organize the event, ensures the event is aligned with the YFU Global Strategy and is in charge of the budget.
Head of Logistics: Ieva Dirvonskaite. Ensures that logistically the YES runs like a well-oiled machine, volunteers and students are empowered to enjoy the content without worrying about sorting out practicalities, the schedule is clear and all participants are safe.
Head of Community: Call open. Ensures volunteers are motivated and builds the YFU Spirit in the hearts of our team, coordinates the Spirit Activity Coordinators, Lounge Coordinators and plenary sessions, as well as facilitates all preparatory and all-volunteer meetings as well as the Common Activity at the YES. Read the full role description here.
Head of Content: Call open. Coordinator of the EDU and IGL coordinators. Ensures high quality and comprehensive content at the YES, taking care that track sessions and IGL sessions are of high quality and designed in a timely manner. The Head of Content cooperates with the Head of Community to ensure the content of the plenary sessions are aligned with Track Sessions and IGL sessions. Read the full role description here.
Do you want to be part of the amazing team making this event happen? We are recruiting right now!
If you feel like you do not have enough experience yet, or simply not enough time on your hands, there will be another call for volunteers later this year - for positions, which require less experience and less time commitment, but are a crucial part of the YES Volunteer Team. Below you can find more information, including the timeline for all volunteer recruitment.
APPLICATION STATUS: Applications are open. Go and apply now so you don’t forget! For roles with the application deadline 16th August, you will hear back from us at the beginning of September. For all other roles, we will contact you with the selection result at the beginning of October.
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The YES team usually meets in person for preparatory meetings before the event, to create a motivating team atmosphere and plan the most critical parts of the YES together. The prep meetings will be organized as follows:
First Prep Meeting
8 - 11 October 2026, Madrid
Participants: Project Coordinator, Head of Content, Head of Community, Head of Logistics, Educational Activities Coordinator; (ideally) Media Team Coordinator.
EDU prep meeting (depending on funding)
3-4 days in February 2027, dates to be confirmed.
Participants: Head of Content, Educational Activities Coordinator, Heads of Track.
2nd prep meeting
March - April 2027, dates to be confirmed.
Participants: Project Coordinator, Head of Content, Head of Community, Head of Logistics, Educational Activities Coordinator, IGL Coordinators, Hosts, Operations Coordinators, Media Team Coordinator.
Media Team Meeting (depending on funding)
2-3 days in April 2027, dates TBC
Participants: Media Team Coordinator, Videographer, Photographer, Social Media Manager, Media team support (to be discussed)
Logistics prep meeting
16th -19th June 2027
Participants: Project Coordinator, Head of Logistics, Travel Coordinators, Global Office Educational Events Assistant (intern)
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Be over 21 years old.
Have an advanced level of English.
Have enough time to dedicate to the planning of this event - the preparation required will be extensive and take a lot of time and dedication. Please make sure you are available on the above-mentioned dates for the prep meetings.
Attend regular online meetings from September 2026 to August 2027:
We usually have a 1.5 hour meeting once per month taking place between 5-8 pm CET;
for other team meetings, 2-4 times a month, dates and timing subject to specific team agreement.
Available to attend in-person preparatory meeting(s) in Europe (likely requires taking time off work / studies, see above for more information).
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If you feel like you do not have enough experience yet, or simply not enough time on your hands, there will be another call for volunteers later this year - for positions, which require less experience and less time commitment, but are a crucial part of the YES Volunteer Team. Here’s a timeline for all volunteer recruitment:
1st wave August (deadline 16th August 2026)
Selection results published beginning of September
Head of Community, Head of Content, Educational Activities Coordinator, Media Team Coordinator.
1st wave September (deadline 16th September 2026)
Selection results published beginning of October.
Heads of Track, YES Hosts, Social Media Manager, IGL Coordinators, Travel Coordinators, Operations Coordinators.
2nd wave Dec-Jan (deadline TBD)
Selection results will be published by the end of January. IGLs’ selection results will depend on the final decision of Member Organizations and the total number of students.
Counsellors, Lounge, Freestylers, Track Leaders, Spirit Activities Coordinators, IGLs.
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The YES will cover all actual eligible costs for selected volunteers according to the travel policy outlined below, except for IGLs, whose costs are fully covered by their respective Member Organisations (MOs).
The YES will only cover economy class travel and carry-on baggage, so any checked in luggage will have to be covered by you, unless otherwise agreed. Travel must be arranged to Berlin on the dates indicated on the website. Unfortunately, we are unable to cover any additional costs.
Guidelines
Volunteers are expected to book the most reasonable travel option available. The Global Office may ask volunteers to justify unusually expensive travel arrangements.
As we strive to lower our carbon emissions, we encourage volunteers to adopt sustainable means of transport, where possible.
Find the distance bands and maximum reimbursement amounts for green and non-green travel, as well as more details regarding our travel policy here.
The Core Team
The Core Team constitutes the group of volunteers who come together about 9 months in advance and offer leadership to the task-specific YES teams, ensuring the content and logistics of the event are well executed. Their responsibilities and contributions shape the YES in a significant way.
The roles that are part of the Core Team include the following responsibilities:
Coordination of a group of volunteers (selection, leadership, mentoring).
Strategic collaboration with the leadership team and other task-specific teams or roles.
Long-term preparation for their tasks at the YES (around 9 months).
Implementation of strategic changes and pilot projects for their area of responsibility as agreed upon with the Leadership team.
Evaluation of their area of responsibility at the YES.
Implementation of knowledge management processes through the YES Playbook to ensure continuity and learning transfer.
The aim of the Core Team is to ensure a high-quality experience for both students and volunteers at the YES. The group is formed of YFU volunteers from all over the world and starts preparing for the seminar already in the autumn before the event. Participating in this team requires a significant time commitment and dedication, while at the same time giving these volunteers the chance to considerably shape and leave their mark on the event.
Core Team Roles
In addition to members of the Leadership team, the following roles are also part of the Core Team:
Media Team Coordinator: Call open. Overview of all YES communications. Coordinates the media team (Social Media, videography, photography) and ensures an engaging visual and social media presence for the YES that is aligned with the GO strategy, the YFU Brand and (co-)funder guidelines. The Media Team Coordinator will receive initial guidance from the Communication and Marketing Specialist of the YFU Global Office. Collaboration with the Project Coordinator is expected. The Media Team Coordinator participates in the 1st (if available) and 2nd prep meeting. Read the full role description here.
Educational Activities Coordinator: Call open. In charge of coordinating and mentoring the Heads of Tracks, responsible for Track Leader orientation and ensuring that all participants receive quality educational content in the YES tracks. The Educational Activities Coordinator participates in the 1st and 2nd prep meeting. The Educational Activities Coordinator participates in the 1st, 2nd and EDU prep meeting (depending on funding). Read the full role description here.
Two IGL Coordinators: Call open. Coordinate the single largest team of volunteers, International Group Leaders (IGLs). Supports the well-being of IGLs and delivers educational content to students through orientation sessions at the YES. The IGL Coordinators participate in the 2nd prep meeting. Read the full role description here.
Two Operations Coordinators: Call open. They are the engine of the YES, taking care of the operational side of things with the support of the Head of Logistics, coordinating the Freestylers, handling the YES Info Desk and much more. The Operations Coordinators participate in the 2nd prep meeting. Read the full role description here.
Two Hosts: Call open. In charge of the Plenary Sessions at the YES, which happen twice a day. A visible role that gathers everyone to the same room to deliver fun & inspirational content. Hosts are in charge of aligning the plenary sessions with the overarching YES theme and the YES anniversary, making important announcements to students, and identifying suitable guest speakers. Hosts also participate in the 2nd prep meeting. Read the full role description here.
While not part of the core team, we’re also already recruiting for:
Heads of Track: Call open. Leading their team of track leaders to design and deliver sessions in their track. HOTs will deliver sessions as well. Depening on funding, HOTs will attend the EDU prep meeting. Read the full role description here.
Travel Coordinators: Call open. Responsible for ensuring students’ smooth travels to the event. They will work closely with the Head of Logistics. Travel Coordinators attend the logistics prep meeting prior to the YES. Read the full role description here.
Social Media Manager: Call open. Helping promote the YES to participants, volunteers, and other stakeholders through Instagram and other marketing materials. During the YES, interacting with the YFU community, sharing the most important events that are happening and engaging with them. Depening on funding, the Social Media Manager will attend a media prep meeting. Read the full role description here.
We typically don’t select volunteers who don’t put an effort when they apply. See what we consider to be a good application on our blog.