Youth4Regions is a European Commission programme that helps journalism students and early-career journalists understand and report on EU action in regions. Around 40 selected participants attend a week in Brussels for training in journalism, EU affairs and cohesion policy.
Participants gain reporting experience during the European Week of Regions and Cities, visit EU institutions and media organisations, and meet established journalists. The 2026 application window is closed; the programme runs from 10 to 16 October 2026.
Benefits & funding
- The European Commission covers travel and accommodation; most meals are provided during the Brussels programme.
- Participants receive training in journalism and EU Cohesion Policy, plus mentorship and networking with established journalists.
- The programme includes study visits to EU-affairs media headquarters and EU institutions.
- Participants may be shortlisted for the Megalizzi–Niedzielski Prize; three outstanding participants receive the prize and a chance to join a two-week reporting mission across EU countries.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be citizens of an EU Member State or an eligible neighbouring country.
- EU Member States: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.
- Other eligible countries: Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Syria, Tunisia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Türkiye, Ukraine, Kosovo, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
- Applicants must be 18–30 years old during the programme, from 10 to 16 October 2026.
- Applicants must show a genuine interest in a journalism career through studies, paid work or volunteering; no field of study is formally excluded.
- Applicants may have no more than three years of full-time work experience after graduation.
- Selected applicants must be available for every programme day in Brussels.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Eligible nationalities
Austria · Belgium · Bulgaria · Croatia · Cyprus · Czechia · Denmark · Estonia · Finland · France · Germany · Greece
+ 42 more
Hungary · Ireland · Italy · Latvia · Lithuania · Luxembourg · Malta · Netherlands · Poland · Portugal · Romania · Slovakia · Slovenia · Spain · Sweden · Algeria · Egypt · Israel · Jordan · Lebanon · Libya · Morocco · Palestine · Syria · Tunisia · Armenia · Azerbaijan · Albania · Bosnia and Herzegovina · Georgia · Moldova · Montenegro · North Macedonia · Serbia · Türkiye · Ukraine · Kosovo · Iceland · Liechtenstein · Norway · Switzerland · UK
Experience required
≤ 3 yrs
Age requirement
18–30 yrs
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Application process
- 1Confirm citizenship, age, journalism background, experience and full-week availability.
- 2Choose a project funded by EU Cohesion Policy or the European Solidarity Fund and make sure its linked website visibly states the EU funding.
- 3Prepare original work in one accepted format: written journalism, photography, video or audio.
- 4Submit through the official application site when the next cycle opens; the 2026 deadline was 7 July.
Program timeline
Applications opened.
7 April 2026
Application deadline.
7 July 2026
Programme begins in Brussels.
10 October 2026
Megalizzi–Niedzielski Prize awarded.
14 October 2026
Programme ends.
16 October 2026