The European Union declared the year 2022 the ‘year of the Youth’ and called upon the engagement and participation of all young and talented people to help build a better future for all: stable, green, inclusive and digital. To create awareness about the EU’s commitment to contribute to a better future for young people across the Southern Neighbourhood and support more robust and enhanced youth engagement, the EU Neighbours South programme is launching a new activity: EU JEEL CONNECT.

EU JEEL CONNECT is a network of young individuals across the Southern Neighbourhood region, led by inspiring young changemakers from Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine* and Tunisia. Members of the network, the ‘EU Jeel Connectors’ will work closely with the EU Neighbours South programme and EU Delegations in the region in achieving the following objectives:

• Inspiring the youth by engaging in exciting activities in partnership with the EU Neighbours South programme, the EU Delegations and EU-funded projects; and by showcasing actions, ideas and insights of young people involved in EU activities and programmes.
• Promoting EU opportunities available to young people and being on the first alert about quality jobs, projects, programmes, education and training opportunities.
• Creating better visibility of the EU among young people, encouraging them to further engage with or benefit from EU activities and initiatives in their specific regions and areas of interest.
• Networking and connecting with a pool of multi-talented young people and influencers collaborating with the EU Neighbours South programme, the EU Delegations and EU-funded projects in view of maximizing the visibility of major actions and initiatives.

EU Jeel Connect is being developed and nurtured by the EU Neighbours South team in partnership with 8 focal points in 8 countries. Each focal point has extensive experience in working with and rallying the youth in their countries, giving them a voice, and defending causes of interest to the EU and young people. The focal points will organise a series of events and activities in their own country, inviting young people from various backgrounds and areas to join, learn more about the EU and the EU Jeel Connect, and eventually become EU Jeel Connectors.

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EU JEEL CONNECT: A convivial first meeting between the European Union Ambassador to Morocco and young Moroccans

EU JEEL CONNECT: a 1st Coffee Talk in Beirut gathering EU representatives and young Lebanese from diverse backgrounds

* This designation shall not be construed as recognition of a State of Palestine and is without prejudice to the individual positions of the Member States on this issue.