What is Young Voices’ European Fellowship?

In 2022, Young Voices launched our European Fellowship. We took on a class of fellows who received expert PR training from our experienced in-house team. We have helped our European Fellows get 170 articles published in media outlets in 9 countries across Europe in 2023 alone. Those outlets include national newspapers, magazines, and broadcasters in places like France, Spain, Portugal, Hungary, Estonia, and more. Read some highlights on our European website, YVeu.org

Who is eligible to apply?

Anyone aged 18-35 who is from or living in a European country (the whole continent, not only European Union countries) and wants to write about politics or policy.

Do I need writing experience?

No. If you have published articles already, that's great – please add the links to the relevant part of the application form. But if you have no past writing experience, don't let that deter you from applying. Young Voices has 10 years of experience in helping inexperienced writers refine their skills and get their work published.

What will happen if I join the fellowship?

Fellows will receive training from Young Voices’ team of PR and editorial experts, both as a group on Zoom and 1-to-1 by email and calls. We will teach you everything you need to know about writing and pitching op-eds about topics you care about. Our in-house team will guide you through every step of the process, from brainstorming ideas to writing and editing your article and securing publication.

How much of a time commitment is the fellowship?

Young Voices’ fellowships are designed to fit around full-time work or studies. Apart from attending our introductory Zoom call, you won’t need to be available at any specific time. You’re free to do the work at a time which suits you. Young Voices expects fellows to submit at least one article pitch to us per month, but apart from that, you’re free to write as much or as little as you wish.

Are fellows paid for their work?

Fellows will be paid for each op-ed they write according to its quality, up to a maximum of $500 (USD) per month. Fellows must write at least one op-ed per month, but they are welcome to write more.

What type of articles will I be writing?

Young Voices specialises in op-eds. An op-ed is a political or policy opinion article, usually 600-800 words. It is the type of article you would find under the 'comment' or 'opinion' section of a newspaper. We are not looking for news, features, journalism, arts or reviews. We want people with bold opinions on politics and policy who believe in liberty in Europe.

Will I have the freedom to choose what topics I write about? Yes. As long as your submissions fit the bill – an op-ed about a political or policy topic, relevant to Europe – and comply with the Young Voices' content guardrails, you can write about whatever topics you like. They might include:

• Taxes and the cost of living

• Energy and the environment

• Consumer freedom and nanny statism

• Tariffs and other barriers to free trade

• Foreign policy and international affairs

• Technology and innovation

• Education

• Healthcare

• Immigration

• Free speech and the free press

(This is not an exhaustive list.)

Fellows are not expected to write articles independently, especially at first. If you already have lots of ideas for op-eds, that’s great. But if you know you have lots to say about policy topics but you need some help getting started, that’s OK too. We’re here to help.