EUnexus

What a tour de force!✨🏆 Our project “ATHENA - Advancing Women’s Leadership in Inclusive Democracy” has won the 1st Prize at the European Charlemagne Youth Prize 2026🇪🇺🙏🏻 What began as a commitment to strengthening women’s leadership and democratic participation has now been elevated to the highest European stage by the European Parliament (@ep_eye @europeanparliament ) and the Charlemagne Foundation @karlspreis_ac - and we are still trying to process the scale of this moment. ATHENA was built around a reality that still shapes Europe: too many young women continue to face structural barriers in political, civic, and institutional spaces, while also carrying limiting beliefs shaped by systems that have long made leadership feel distant, difficult, or inaccessible. Through the project, we worked to strengthen leadership, confidence, advocacy, democratic participation, and institutional engagement, so that more young women can shape public life with legitimacy, visibility, and power. We are deeply grateful to everyone who was a rock-solid part of this journey - our participants, decision-makers, diplomats, industry experts, and every person who believed in the vision behind ATHENA. We also warmly congratulate all the inspiring national winners from across Europe🌟. Standing alongside so many powerful youth-led initiatives has been an honour in itself.🫂 Thank you @europeanparliament , and @karlspreis_ac for this recognition. We carry it with immense gratitude, humility, and responsibility.💙🇪🇺

We are incredibly honoured and proud to share that our project “ATHENA— Advancing Women’s Leadership in Inclusive Democracy” has won the national title for the European Charlemagne Youth Prize 2026, awarded by the European Parliament and the Foundation of the International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen.🇪🇺 This year’s winners were selected from an exceptional pool of 531 projects across Europe — and with ATHENA, EUnexus now carries Estonia forward to the European stage.🇪🇪🤍 Remarkably, EUnexus has now been recognised with the European Charlemagne Youth Prize for two consecutive years (2025 & 2026), highlighting the consistency and depth of our work in strengthening youth participation across Europe. It shows a sustained commitment to building clear, accessible pathways for European youth to engage with policy-making, institutions, and public life, helping create more representative, inclusive, and participatory democratic systems. Thanks to our participants for their work, and to @ep_tallinn (the European Parliament Office in Estonia) for your continued collaboration and support. Thanks to Lakshya Raj (@avyanshh - President, EUnexus) and Hanah Lahe (@hanahlahe - Member of the Estonian Parliament) for their roles in leading ATHENA and strengthening youth representation in institutional spaces. We also extend our sincere appreciation to our project panellists and speakers — Kadri Tali (@talikadri , Member of the Estonian Parliament), Karin Öövel (@karin_oovel , Coordinator of Youth Programs, Harno), Simon Usifo (@simonusifo , CEO, BBDO Germany), Emma Neugebauer (@emma.neugebauer , The European Correspondent), Merle Saviauk (@merlesaviauk , President, BPW Estonia), and the @feministlawclinic representatives (@lilith.rn & @lilian.vnry ) for being part of ATHENA’s meaningful journey. Finally, we extend our deepest gratitude to @euroopanoored.eu for standing with us throughout- your trust and continued support truly mean a lot to us.🇪🇪🙏🏻 Onwards and upwards!✨🇪🇺

SOTEU2025: It was an honour to be invited as part of a selected delegation of content creators recognised by the European Parliament, to take part in the State of the European Union Address - a defining democratic moment of the year. As part of the visit, we met European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen @ursulavonderleyen and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola @roberta.metsola , who underlined the impact of creators and the place we hold in carrying Parliament’s work back to citizens. Alongside this, the seminar included sessions with the Parliament’s spokesperson, directors, and social media team, as well as one-on-one conversations with MEPs on Ukraine, energy security, trade, technological independence, and social fairness- discussions that reflected the depth of Europe’s agenda at a time of uncertainty. This year’s address looked ahead to a “new Europe”- built on unity, independence, and resilience. It called for stronger leadership in defence, technology, energy, and democracy, renewed the Union’s commitment to Ukraine, and set out priorities for competitiveness, fairness, and climate resilience. It was a privilege to share this space with fellow creators and independent journalists who bring Europe’s story into the everyday, strengthening trust and defending democracy. Thank you to the European Parliament @europeanparliament for the honour, and to @ep_tallinn for your trust. Representing my beloved Estonia across European and global stages is not merely an honour, but a privilege I hold with pride. 🇪🇺🇪🇪🤍☀️

Forever etched in my memory!🇪🇺🎖️🙏🏻 Being awarded the prestigious European Charlemagne Youth Prize 2026 in Aachen felt like a lifetime of conviction condensed into one moment. I want to deeply thank- the European Parliament @europeanparliament @ep_eye and the @karlspreis_ac -International Charlemagne Prize Foundation for believing in EUnexus’ work (@eunexus.ee ), recognising its purpose, and granting one of Europe’s highest honours. My sincere gratitude to the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola (@roberta.metsola ) ; Vice-President of the European Parliament, Sabine Verheyen (@sabineverheyen ) ; President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen (@ursulavonderleyen ) ; and the many incredible women whose leadership continues to inspire a world where women shape institutions and lead with strength. As someone who believes in European values, unity, and spirit - this is far more than an award. It is one of the greatest honours of my life🙏🏻 Deeply grateful. Deeply honoured🇪🇺🏅 @karlspreis_ac

A profound honour to be seated and felicitated alongside European heads of state and distinguished Charlemagne laureates as the European Charlemagne Youth Prize Winner 2026. 🏅 Thank you, Lord Mayor @michael.ziemons , for your warm welcome and excellent hospitality in the city of Aachen. The love Aachen has shown us is unmatched. The International Charlemagne Prize is one of Europe’s most prestigious honours, awarded to leaders who have made extraordinary contributions to European unity and cooperation. The European Charlemagne Youth Prize stands as its youth counterpart - recognising young people shaping the future of Europe through democracy, participation, and social impact. To lead @eunexus.ee on that same stage, among leaders we look up to and some of the most influential figures in Europe and the world, is a moment I’ll always carry with pride🏅 @karlspreis_ac 🫶🏻💝 @ursulavonderleyen @bundeskanzler @kyriakos_ @ediramaal @martinschulzspd @michael.ziemons @prezident.sveta @europeancentralbank @armin_laschet @stadtaachen @eunexus.ee @ep_eye @karlspreis_ac @ep_tallinn @germaniainitalia

Young changemakers take the prize! 🏆 The European Parliament and the Foundation of the International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen has awarded the 2026 European Charlemagne Youth Prize in a ceremony in Aachen. 🥇 First Prize: Athena - advancing women’s leadership in inclusive democracy, Estonia 🇪🇪 🥈 Second Prize: Pol - Combating misinformation and strengthening citizen participation through an app!, France 🇫🇷 🥉 Third Prize: European Guanxi, Spain 🇪🇸 Congratulations to all prize winners and participants! Read more here: link in bio

“Europe is not a case of institutional studies, but the circulation of an idea. It’s the idea that nations, peoples and states work together across borders, because they know that in this world we live in, in the 21st century, they are stronger together than they are alone.” These are the words of Martin Schulz in his video message to us, thank you for these inspiring thoughts. This is exactly what our weekend was about: being stronger together and building a network of young people across Europe. A huge thank you to everyone who made this weekend possible:?our participants, sending organisations and speakers: Martin Schulz, Florian Siekmann, Eduard Hillgert and Nele Marks. Your insights, motivation and support made this experience truly special 💙 #YPNE #YouthParticipation #Europe #ConnectEngageEmpower #YouthEngagement

POV: You were part of the YPNE Summit 2026. We’re still completely overwhelmed in the best way possible. This weekend brought together so many brilliant minds, inspiring ideas and genuinely good energy. We’re endlessly grateful for every conversation, every workshop, every shared moment that made this summit what it was. 🚀 Thank you to everyone who joined us, contributed, connected and shaped this first chapter of YPNE. Your passion and openness made this weekend unforgettable. And the best part? This is only the beginning. We’re already excited for next year bigger, bolder and even more connected. Europe is something we build together. 🇪🇺✨ #youthparticipation #ypne #connectengageempower #youthcouncils

It’s amazing how much you can get if you quietly, clearly, and authoritatively demand it☀️ Winning the European Charlemagne Youth Prize for Estonia has been one of the most humbling and unforgettable chapters of my journey!🤍🇪🇺🇪🇪 To the Charlemagne Prize Foundation @karlspreis_ac , the European Parliament @ep_eye , and the city of Aachen- thank you for this incredible honour.🥰 And to every person who believed in me, my work, and stood with me in the messy, stubborn pursuit of change: this is yours too!💖 Godspeed!💫 📸: The kindest, @chris_vth 🫡 Opening Quote- Meryl Streep

✨ RETREATING BEAUTY – What We Hide, What We Hold, What We Choose Young people today grow up surrounded by social, aesthetic and relational norms that deeply shape how we perceive our bodies, relationships, consent and self-worth. Retreating Beauty is an Erasmus+ Youth Exchange that creates a safe, experiential and reflective space where young people from different European contexts can explore these themes through non-formal education, body practices, dialogue and creativity. 💬 Together we will question dominant beauty standards, reflect on consent and personal boundaries, and imagine more inclusive, respectful and caring communities. 🌍 Partners joining the project: 🇪🇸 @vibria.intercultural 🇬🇷 @dreamteamgr 🇪🇪 @eunexus.ee 🇷🇴 @yellow.shirts 🇭🇺 Dél-alföldi Teleházak Egyesülete 🇸🇪 @framtidstagetstockholm 📍 Palermo, Italy 📅 12–19 June 2026 👥 Participants: young people aged 18–30 🔗 More info & infopack LINK IN BIO 👆🏻 #ErasmusPlus #YouthExchange #RetreatingBeauty #YouthWork

We are incredibly honored to announce that our project, EYLEAD, has won the national title for the European Charlemagne Youth Prize 2025, awarded by the European Parliament and the Foundation of the International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen!💙😍 Out of an incredible 635 projects, a total of 27 projects have been selected—one from each EU member state. EUnexus will represent project EYLEAD in Aachen at the Award Ceremony on 27 May, where the three European winners will be announced.🏆 The ECYP award recognizes youth-led projects that strengthen democracy and promote active participation. We are beyond proud that EYLEAD’s impact on leadership, civic engagement, and democratic participation has been acknowledged at this level.☀️ A heartfelt thank you to our EYLEAD participants, partners, and @euroopanoored.eu —this achievement belongs to all of you!💖🙏🏻 Onwards and upwards!✨

🇪🇺3/3: In the afternoon, the delegation visited the House of European History and Info Hub: the visit traced europe’s political and social transformation across different eras, and offered participants a wider frame for today’s union - how ideas of rights, identity, borders, solidarity, and citizenship have been contested, reshaped, and reaffirmed over time. this dimension matters because institutions do not operate in isolation. they are products of history and memory, and they carry the consequences of past decisions into the present. Our brussels programme now continues over the coming two days with bilateral meetings with MEPs, a visit to the permanent representation of estonia to the eu, and exchanges with civil society organisations in brussels.