FAQ

Registration and selection

I would like to register for the event. What should I do?

Schools and/or teachers must fill in a registration form. This means that only the school principal or the teacher who wishes to participate can submit their application, on behalf of the school. The deadline will be published on YEYS's website.

Can students register their school independently?

Students may not register their school themselves, nor can they apply individually.

How many schools will be able to take part in the exercise and how will they be selected?

Lots will be drawn among the schools that have registered on the website by the stated deadline. Only one school per country will be chosen to participate in the event in Brussels. The school will also receive a visit from an EESC member. The schools taking part will be informed individually and must put forward the name of the accompanying teacher and the three students who will come to Brussels for the event.

What level of language knowledge must the students have in order to take part in the workshops?

No certificate or diploma proving a specific level of language knowledge is required. However, the students selected and their teacher must be able to express themselves in English so as to facilitate communication and discussion during the event.

How should schools select the students who will come to Brussels?

Each school is free to set its own selection criteria, which must be clear, fair and non-discriminatory. For gender equality reasons, the students selected should not all be of the same sex (unless they come from single-sex schools). The EESC premises are fully accessible to people with disabilities.

How can I contact the organisers of the event? How will I be contacted if my school is selected?

You can contact the organisers by sending an email to: youreurope@eesc.europa.eu. The organisers will contact the school by email. You must therefore ensure that the email address entered on the registration form is valid and you must check your email regularly.

Is my school allowed to register more than once?

If your school is not selected this year, you can apply next year. If your school is selected for participation, you will not be able to apply again immediately next year, but you can do so later on.

Profile of the candidates

What is the age range for students who wish to participate in YEYS? Can they be older than 18 when the event takes place?

Students between 16 and 18 years old at the time of application will be considered valid candidates.

Can students in their last year of high school participate?

We usually propose YEYS to students in their penultimate year because those in the last year might be busy with their exams. Nevertheless, since it depends on the school system of every country, in specific cases we will consider the candidacy of students who are not in their penultimate year of secondary school.

Preparations for the event

How should students and teachers prepare for the event?

An EESC member will visit the participating schools to explain the role of the EESC as a consultative body for the various European institutions, and its involvement in the decision-making process. He/she will also explain the structure of the event and what will be expected from the school delegation. The EESC member's travel expenses will be paid by the Committee.

Furthermore, a set of documents needed for preparation will be sent by email in due time, including a working document aimed at helping the students get ready for the discussions in Brussels.

The event

How long will the event last?

The event will last for one and a half days. School delegations are expected to arrive on Thursday morning at the latest and leave on Saturday at the earliest.

Who will pay travel and accommodation costs?

The EESC will arrange and pay for two nights' accommodation in Brussels for the students and their teacher. It will also pay travel expenses for the international air/train connection from their home country to Brussels (including connecting flights/long distance connecting trains if needed), as well as the transport from/to the Brussels station or airport and the hotel.

Lunches and dinners will be offered at the EESC premises during the event.

Can schools choose a specific hotel in Brussels?

No, the EESC will contact the selected schools and propose travel and accommodation arrangements.

Can schools buy their flight tickets themselves and be reimbursed afterwards?

No, the EESC travel agency will provide the tickets according to an itinerary agreed with the schools. Under no circumstances can schools buy their own tickets.

Will the EESC also organise and pay for travel to/from the departure station or airport in our home country?

No, the EESC will not organise, pay or reimburse travel expenses from/to the departure airport/station in the home country. The EESC will only pay for the international connection to/from Brussels (incl. connecting trains and connecting flights if needed).

Will the EESC pay for a new ticket and additional hotel costs if I miss my train/flight?

If you miss your train or flight for any reason other than force majeure, the EESC will not grant any refund and/or compensation and will not cover the costs of purchasing new tickets, rerouting existing tickets or additional accommodation or subsistence. Please make sure you arrive at the station/airport well in advance of your scheduled departure time. You might also consider taking out travel insurance.

What is the role of the accompanying teacher?

The accompanying teacher is the person who will liaise between the EESC and participants. He or she will ensure that all participants receive the necessary information and documentation, and will be responsible for all the preparatory work. Should the teacher fall ill or be unable for any other reason to attend the session, he or she must be replaced by a colleague.

What is the role of the accompanying teacher during the time in Brussels?

The accompanying teachers will play a key role, bearing full responsibility for the students while they are travelling to/from and staying in Brussels. For some parts of the programme when their presence is not necessary, the EESC will arrange separate activities for teachers (cultural visits, visits to other institutions, etc.). It is important that they are able to express themselves in English.

Can a school have more than one accompanying teacher?

The project provides for the three students to be accompanied by one teacher. The EESC will therefore only pay travel and accommodation costs for three students and one teacher per participant country.