Summary of the project
“YEPs on the Ground – The Podcast that Brings Young Voices to the Heart of Europe” sets out to amplify the perspectives of 13 Young Elected Politicians (YEPs) from across Europe. Additionally, as a bonus episode we are excited to present a special fourteenth episode featuring the President of the European Committee of the Regions, Kata Tüttő.
Our goal was to show that young elected politicians are already working on the issues that matter most to young people across Europe: from housing and climate change to digital inclusion, education, and equal opportunities. The experiences and insights shared in the podcast demonstrate how those leaders are not just preparing for the future; they’re already changing Europe today.
Structure of the podcast
The podcast is featuring a total of 13 YEPs, representing a broad political spectrum in accordance with the d’Hondt method, commonly used by the European Committee of the Regions, to ensure balanced political representation:
- 4 YEPs from the EPP Group
- 4 YEPs from the PES Group
- 2 YEPs from Renew Europe
- 1 YEP from the ECR Group
- 1 YEP from the EA Group
- 1 YEP from The Greens
In addition to political balance, we also strived for diversity in other key dimensions: gender balance and geographical backgrounds; rural and urban, north and south, large cities and small towns. Each episode focuses on a topic closely linked to one of the six commissions of the European Committee of the Regions. From climate and environment to housing, education, innovation, territorial cohesion, and economic recovery.
Additionally, on our special fourteenth episode featuring President Tüttő, we had the chance to engage in an in-depth discussion about her key policy priorities throughout her mandate, with a particular focus on the critical issue of water management.
Results
The podcast aimed to give meaningful visibility to local leaders, foster cross-border dialogue, and bridge the gap between local realities and European policymaking, while also resonating with the broader experiences, concerns, and aspirations of young people across the continent. Through collaboration with political groups, project managers, and social media teams, the podcast has not only strengthened the identity and reach of the YEP initiative but also offered valuable insights for the institution on youth engagement, decentralised governance, and local innovation.
As part of our communications strategy, we leveraged the YFactor Instagram page to connect with a broader audience using short-form videos, teasers, and visual storytelling. Indeed, the page has experienced significant growth and engagement.
In only three months:
- We recorded over 43,000 views across all video content (reels)
- Reached more than 10,000 accounts, marking an 85.5% increase
- Saw a 259.1% growth in profile visits
- And experienced a staggering +800% increase in external link clicks
Finally, it is important to stress that turning this ambitious and impactful project into reality demanded not only creativity and dedication but also strong teamwork, collaboration, and professional maturity. From liaising with political groups to handling tight deadlines and complex communication challenges, every phase of the project required close cooperation and a unified sense of purpose among us CoR trainees. The successful and timely completion of the podcast series is a clear testament to the commitment of the Spring 2025 YFactor team.