Portrait of YEN

The Youth of European Nationalities (YEN) is a network of 30 youth organisations representing the European ethnic, lingustic und national minorities.

The YEN is an independent non governmental youth organisation (INGYO), with members in 17 European states.

YEN stands up for the needs of minorities and along with its member organisations is striving to set up a dynamic and lively network within a multicultural and multilingual Europe.

The emphasis thereby is the maintenance and development of culture, language and rights of the minorities . One particular focal point shall be work with youngsters and young adults. In the statutes we express our support for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms on founded upon a federal basis of the European co-operation, that safeguards the self-government and culture of the minorities.

Since its foundation in 1984 at the Knivsberg / North Schleswig (DK), in the German-Danish border country, YEN has left its mark on the activities of minorities at a European level and consequently it has also influenced the regional commitment of the member organisations.

In 2004 YEN celebrates the 20th anniversary of its foundation.

YEN’s work is much and varied. Building up the network, by bi-, tri- and multilateral exchanges, by congresses, by projects from youth for youth, as well as the building of communication structures are in this respect in the focus of our attention.

As well as the intercultural activities and exchanges, the traditional Easterseminar, the Youth Leader Seminar and the choir camp Voices of Europe are the highlights of YEN`s work.

The resulting contacts and the knowledge about the variety and problems of cultures, minorities and majorities stimulate the engagement of the youth and help them to act as self-confident ambassadors for their own and for the European minorities as a whole.

Taking part in the discourse about the rights of minorities in Europe, drawing attention to their interests and letting them be heard is very close to the youth organisation’s heart. An purpose of the network is to attract attention for and to improve the interests of the European minorities, by public relations and by participation in decision making processes.

At the time 30 youth organisation participate in the network, amongst others the Frisians in the Netherlands, the Danes in Germany, the Germans in Hungary, the Finnish in Sweden, the South Tyroleans, the Rhaeto Romans in Switzerland, the Croats and Slovenes in Austria, the Hungarians in Romania and the Germans in Russia.

Accordingly YEN is the largest, non governmental umbrella organisation for European minorities. Moreover we have contacts with over 30 minority youth organisations and partners.

All youth organisations are democratic associations, that are based mainly on voluntary work. The planning and realisation of ideas and projects are based solely on the initiatives and engagement of the young people from the respective minorities.

The YEN as network lives from the engagement and projects of their member organisations.

YEN is member of the Federalistic Union of European Nationalities (FUEN) and of the European Youth Forum.

The Youth of European Nationalities (YEN) is administrative supported by the European Youth Foundation of the Council of Europe and by the European Commission and from the adult organisations of the European minorities.