Candidates for Directly Elected Members of the Federal Committee

My name is Nea-Bettina Baarman and I’m the president of JEF Finland. I’ve been a JEFfer since 2016 and since then I’ve been in various positions at the national and local level – and president from the beginning of August 2024.

My role as the JEF Finland’s president for the past two years has been marked with turbulence when in 2023 we lost our operating grant. With the power of cooperation, out of the box thinking and hard work JEF Finland gained its operating grant and survived the difficulties stronger than ever.

I am running for the FC Presidium because I believe we as a JEF can be stronger, more united and inclusive. In my eyes the Presidium has the unique possibility to connect JEFfers in our stationary meetings as well as by fostering continuous dialogue between JEF bodies, Task Forces and Political Commissions, creating a stronger sense of unity, shared purpose and collaboration.

My main priority as a Presidium Member would be to build up the trust in JEF. As a Member of Presidium I would make sure the presidium will serve as a dependable and transparent body, ensuring consistency, clarity, and responsibility in its work providing the Federal Committee with stability.

???? I was born on 16.12.1999 in Deva, a town located in Transylvania, surrounded by cultural diversity, just like the city where I chose to continue my studies – Sibiu.

? After completing my Bachelor in Law and Master in Criminal Sciences, I entered a ??? programme in ?????’? ????????? ?????? at the same university – ULBS.

?️ The ability to speak multiple languages (Romanian, Italian, French, English, Turkish, Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, and Chinese) facilitates my integration into various environments.

?️ From Co-Editor-in-Chief, PR Officer, IO, VP, to ??-?????????, I’ve always promoted dedication & inclusivity within my section, cooperation with foreign JEFers.

ᴘʀᴏᴘᴏꜱᴇᴅ ɪɴɪᴛɪᴀᴛɪᴠᴇꜱ

? ??? ???? ?? ????? ?? ????????? ????? ?????? (December 10)

??‍?‍?? ????? ?? ??? – ????, ??????? ??? ?????? (March 8)

???? ???????? ??????? ?? ? ?????? ?????? (September 2)

I am an altruistic, ambitious, and friendly person that could foster stronger communication, collaboration and cooperation between the national sections and JEF Europe. I will use my ??????????, ????????? (acquired both academically and in JEF), and ?????? to promote a Federal Europe in which all citizens feel represented (regardless of gender, identity, or background), just as our founding parents – Altiero Spinelli and Ursula Hirschmann – dreamed of at Ventotene.

? ?????????????? – ensure that women and other under-represented groups from all geographical areas of Europe have a visible and active role in JEF.

??‍?? ????????????? – foster stronger communication, coordination and cooperation between the national sections and JEF Europe.

? ?????? – increase JEF’s involvement in the field of human rights and freedoms (gender equality; the rights of LGBT+ community, national minorities; migration et al.)

I am interested in joining the Diversity & Empowerment TF because of my vision, dedication, experience and creativity. Definitely, I could also help in the Communication TF since I am strongly passionate about creating designs for different social media campaigns and editing videos made by JEFers on crucial topics.

Hello! I’m Stefano, 24 years old, from a small town in northern Italy called Treviolo. I recently graduated with a Master’s degree in Data Science for Economics. I gained early experience as a Research Assistant, both in academia and at the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre. At nineteen, I moved to Milan to continue my studies and joined the local JEF section, where I focused on what I believe is at the core of JEF’s mission: creating federalist awareness among young people.

I’m running as a member of the Federal Committee and as co-chair of PC1 because I believe that strong and democratic institutions are key to unlocking Europe’s full potential. Despite the progress made, we still face a fragmented internal market, an incomplete banking union, and limited fiscal and political integration. These are problems that undermine Europe’s ability to act effectively, both internally and on the global stage, making it even harder to tackle the economic, social, and security challenges ahead.
As co-chair of PC1, the Political Commission on Institutional Affairs and Governance, I want to help advance the federalist vision of a more united, democratic, and capable Europe. I am eager to bring my academic background to the disposal of the PC, to reinforce our debates on governance structures, economic integration, and institutional reform

My vision for the future of JEF focuses on three core priorities: pushing for institutional reform and Treaty change, defending the Schengen area and the right to free movement, and advancing a federal approach towards European security and defence. To remain true to our federalist identity, JEF must continue to push for Treaty change. The current framework of the European Union no longer matches the political and global challenges we face. We need stronger democratic institutions, more efficient decision-making, and a real political and fiscal union.

I reckon the Political Commission should focus on key areas where federalist reform is both necessary and realistic. First, it’s essential to revisit and update previous resolutions addressing core topics such as multi-speed integration, the creation of a fiscal union, the completion of the banking union, the protection of the rule of law, environmental challenges, and Treaty reform. These issues constitute the backbone of any functioning society: ensuring economic stability, safeguarding the rule of law, and promoting sustainability.

As a founding member of JEF Estonia, serving as VP & Secretary General, I’ve helped build a section known for its rapid rise & organisational excellence. I also co-led the team that organised JEF Europe’s well remembered Spring Federal Committee 2024 in Tartu.

I’ve worked close with Nordic, Baltic, & Eastern European sections, leading projects to strengthen regional cooperation & our shared political voice. I’ve also been active in PC3.

I’m a pragmatic, principled federalist guided by facts & justice. My approach is structured & impact oriented. I believe in acting with courage, building unity through shared values, & shaping Europe to what we want it to be.

My focus is for PC3 to shape Europe’s global role in democracy, justice, & solidarity, free from colonial & neoliberal legacies.

I would:
1. Make PC3 a hub for expert-informed, fact-based debate
2. Turn difficult topics into opportunities for unity & learning
3. Bridge internal divides through equal commitment to international law, human rights, & federalist principles

JEF must connect ideals to action through informed & purposeful activism. We must be diplomatic in approach but radical in commitment, ready to question power, engage critically, & act with reasoned conviction. This balance between diplomacy & courage is, to me, what defines meaningful leadership & what we need for PC3.

JEF must remain Europe’s youth voice for federalism, democracy, & justice while
regaining the courage to act. Next mandate, we must prioritise:

1. Impactful activism to turn ideas into visible results
2. Stronger unity between sections to build resilience & inclusion
3. Credibility abroad by ensuring the EU lives up to its principles, especially toward the Middle East, Africa, & our allies

To be federalists is to challenge hypocrisy & demand coherence between Europe’s words & actions. We must have difficult conversations & focus on building constructively from them.

Political Commissions must work more closely, using their strengths to produce
coordinated, substantive policies. PC3 should focus on international engagement with decolonised cooperation & the defence of international law as the backbone. I also support building upon the Federalist Peace Forum project as a means for effective peace building.

Our political work must stay principled & evidence-based, grounded in solidarity & universality. Systematic coordination will allow JEF to not just be a commentator but a shaper of Europe’s moral & political direction.

I am currently the co-chair of PC3. I began my journey in JEF in 2014. Over the past two years, I have had the opportunity to experience the importance of the global dimension of our political work. As an example, I contributed to the organization of the Ventotene International Seminar and of the Federalist Peace Forum. Outside of JEF, I work in international cooperation, mostly living abroad in the MENA region.

I believe the three PC are essential. I also think that all three PCs should address the issue of overproduction of resolutions. The focus should shift more towards involving members in the drafting process and ensuring proper external dissemination once resolutions are approved. As for the TF I believe they should be created according to the political project that will emerge from Congress, starting from the international action.

I’m Michael, a 4th year law student at the University of Malta and Trainee at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Throughout my life in JEF, I have served as Projects Officer, then President of JEF Malta, working to strengthen youth participation in democracy and promote European integration through advocacy.

I’ve had the opportunity to take on several leadership roles, currently serving as Director General of Europe’s most successful simulation, Model European Union Strasbourg, Director for Civic Engagement and later Public Relations Officer within the Maltese National Youth Council (KNŻ), and Executive Secretary of the MaltMUN Society. My involvement with the European Union extends through my role as EU Careers Ambassador for UM for 2 years, and represent Maltese youth as a YEA and as a One Young World Ambassador.

My journey in youth engagement began with the National Student Travel Foundation, where I served as Project Lead Coordinator, organising 3 editions of the Mini European Assembly. I also contributed to the Law Students’ Society as Leisure Officer, later serving as Secretary-General for MaltMUN 2024, handling both logistics and academic for Malta’s largest MUN, having chaired and organised over 10 MUNs beforehand.

Through these experiences, I’ve developed a deep commitment to fostering youth participation and European unity.

JEF should maintain key Political Commissions on Democracy and Rule of
Law, Foreign and Security Policy, and Environment. I suggest
strengthening the Task Force on Capacity Building with Section
Development to support sustainable growth.

I am Visvaldis Knuts Bērziņš, currently serving my second term as President of JEF Latvia. Over the past four years, I have worked to build a section that is visible. Under my leadership, our membership has doubled, our advocacy efforts have expanded nationally and internationally, and we have brought youth perspectives directly to ministries, embassies and EU institutions. JEF Latvia has also contributed to the Ministry of the Interior’s working group on NGO crisis response, reflecting our commitment to strengthening democratic resilience during hybrid threats. My work in the Parliament of Latvia has provided first-hand experience in legislative processes, coalition-building and rule-of-law issues that are essential for advancing a federal Europe.

I am running because Europe is facing hybrid threats that do not respect national borders. Growing up in the Baltics, I understand that peace is not a given – it is safeguarded through unity and collective action. Disinformation, coercion and cyberattacks must be treated as European threats requiring a European response. My goal is to ensure that JEF acts as one strategic organisation capable of anticipating challenges, and shaping policy, not as separate national sections reacting individually. Federalism must be understood not as ideology, but as a necessity for protecting democracy.

In the next two years, JEF must prioritise Europe’s resilience. We are in a hybrid war where institutions, media and trust are under attack. JEF should lead efforts to strengthen European defence cooperation, counter foreign influence and promote democratic integrity. Our organisation must be disciplined, building strategies across sections and amplifying our common voice.

For the 2025-2027 mandate, I strongly support the creation of a working group on European defence and hybrid threats. This group should address information warfare, cyberattacks and the erosion of democratic institutions, drawing from the experience of both frontline and Western sections. In addition, JEF should deepen engagement with Ukraine and Eastern Partnership countries through a structure focused on long-term integration and security cooperation. When one member state is targeted, Europe is targeted. Our response must be united.

I am Elisabed Chachava and I joined JEF four years ago after moving from Tbilisi to Berlin. I started by organising a panel discussion in co-operation with the European Parliament and the European Commission Representation Office. Afterwards, I focused on civic education, co-organising simulations of the European Parliament and leading school workshops. My passion for international affairs brought me to the board of JEF Berlin-Brandenburg, first as Vice President (International Officer) and then as Co-President.

I am running for the Federal Committee to become Co-Chair of the Task Force on Empowerment and Diversity. I intend to focus primarily on LGBTQIA+ rights, because this topic is very important to me as a queer person. I want to promote open-mindedness and being inclusive of all minority and underrepresented groups in our discussions. I have worked in collaboration with Tiberia, who is also running as Co-Chair of this Task Force to focus on women’s rights. Our goals for this Task Force align perfectly.

Within this Task Force, we plan to offer various workshops focused on empowerment. We want national, regional, and local sections to feel free to approach us at any time. In addition, we aim to organise an in-person training session in Empowerment and Diversity, with the goal of exchanging the best practices to diversify our membership and become more inclusive. It would be a huge honour for me to be able to contribute to making JEF an even safer and more welcoming space for young people from all backgrounds.

My vision for the next two years of JEF includes strong advocacy and meaningful exchanges, but also ensuring we have the solid foundations for the further expansion of our organisation. I would like to see JEF expand by strengthening co-operation between sections, increasing communication throughout the different sections of the organisation, and engaging more young people from different backgrounds with our federalist principles.

I believe that all of the three Political Commissions we have are still highly relevant and should continue in the next mandate. However, I strongly believe that people do their best work when they engage in areas they are truly passionate about. Therefore, the Task Forces that I think are most important to continue are Empowerment and Diversity, Capacity Building, Civic Education, and Advocacy. I also strongly support the proposal to create a Task Force that can tackle the rise of the far-right.

I come from a Greek Island, Skiathos, but am born and raised in Athens and a Berliner by choice. After a BA in International & European studies and a MA in Democratic Education & Social Competences, I am now a student again, this time in law.

I have been a passionate JEFer since I was 18 years old, in Greece, France, Germany and Europe-wide. After being JEF Europe’s treasurer the last 2 years and the International Officer of JEF Greece for 6 years, I look forward to work for our movement from this exciting position.

Privately: I am passionate about languages and history, and I believe profoundly in ecofeminism and constructivism. I love cooking and baking, while I am an aspiring plant daddy. I aim to learn how to make my own clothes, so I am learning to knit and plan to take up sowing.

I was involved in our campaigns EurHope, DemocracyUnderPressure & #DontTouchMySchengen. It was an honour to join the Ventotene Forum, while I represented us in activities of the Agency for Fundamental Rights, the Council of Europe, WFM, UEF and the European Parliament. I also oversaw our budget and fundraising, leaving us with a positive financial year, higher equity, and an operating grant that can be used everywhere in Europe and focus on youth.

In our FC I would like to co-chair TF Civic Education, my field of expertise. Firstly, I am convinced that we must be supporting our advocacy with at least 1 activity of civic education per campaign. Secondly, I want us to (re)create a so-called bank of ideas (for training methods, activities with transferability potential, and project concepts notes), as well as have an archive of implemented activities. Furthermore, I will pursue a JEF website dedicated to our civic education. Lastly, I will seek funding for trainings for trainers, to render JEF membership even more useful for the CV of JEFers.

We must maintain our activist character, and continue our advocacy on enlargement, reforms, and Europe as a force for good in global politics. However, the following topics should be more central in our work for peace, democracy and rule of law:

1.Sustainability
2.Mental health of youth
3. Diversity

As an FC member, I will also push for JEF Europe to amend its statutes, which comes with a legal obligation to hold the European Congress in Belgium. Please, let us exchange our ideas about the statute’s potential for improvement.

Among others, we need a WG Amendment of Statutes & Political Platform, for the procedure’s preparation.

I am Ani Sulikashvili, Vice President and International Officer of JEF Georgia. In this role, I coordinate international cooperation, manage EU-funded projects, and create platforms connecting youth from member, candidate and partner countries. This work has shown me how to turn enthusiasm into meaningful participation and build real partnerships across regions.

Professionally, I have worked in both public and private sectors in project management, communication, and policy implementation.

I am running for the Federal Committee to help JEF become more inclusive, responsive and politically impactful. My goal is to strengthen the bridge between national sections and European-level decision-making, ensuring that every member and region is represented.

My priorities are to:
Deepen JEF’s engagement with enlargement and neighborhood policies;
Promote equality and well-being through initiatives on gender balance and mental health;
Connect grassroots activism with European policymaking so members’ experiences guide JEF’s direction.

I want to contribute to a Federal Committee that listens to all sections and translates our federalist values into daily work.

Over the next two years, JEF should reinforce its role as a youth voice for democracy, unity, and enlargement. Enlargement must be treated not only as a political process but as a shared transformation that strengthens peace and civic resilience.

Internally, JEF should continue investing in participation, leadership development, and mental well-being, because strong advocacy starts with empowered members. Federalism for me is not an abstract idea. It’s a culture of inclusion, accountability and solidarity.

PC on Enlargement and External Affairs: to deepen engagement with neighborhood and enlargement policies.
PC on Institutional Affairs: to reinforce advocacy for democracy, transparency and participation.
Task Force on Mental Health and Inclusion: to promote well-being and equal access to leadership.
Task Force on Climate and Sustainability: to keep environmental responsibility and youth-led climate action central to JEF’s agenda.

+995599443110

@ani_sulikashvili

I’m Nikos, a 24 year old Member of the JEF Europe EB, who balanced my last two years at JEF Europe with working for an MEP and now with my role as an EU Policy Coordinator in the Maltese Foreign Ministry. Having started out with JEF Malta in 2019, I can now say that I know this network well, and humbly wish to continue playing a role in its growth.

In contrast to the far-right, which thrives on fear of the other, and defenders for the status quo who fear change itself, JEF’s political recipe is one that’s not just simply a generation ahead, but one that offers a hopeful narrative built on positive peace, rule of law, and human rights. This mission has offered me real-world tools to fight for a more equitable society where all people are treated as ‘autonomous living beings.’

It is in this context that I wish to present myself as a candidate for the FC, and as a candidate for Presidium. I firmly believe that my experience within the EB, as well as my 4 years of activism within a small section, provides me with the necessary experience to Chair real political debate, to facilitate compromise, and yes – to turn a page and foster more trust between the statutory organs, so we can present ourselves to the world as Europe’s foremost advocates for a federalist coalition of common sense.

If elected, I would wish work with my two other colleagues on three key trust-building priorities:

BRIDGE-BUILDING: Facilitation is not just about allocating speaking time, but about ensuring that lively debate results in smart compromises which don’t just work for the majority, but consider and weigh the needs of all the Network.

OPEN & TRANSPARENT COMMUNICATION: The Presidium must remain the foremost body to push for communication between the different statutory bodies, while respecting any legal and statutory limitations.

ATTENDANCE AT EB MEETINGS: So as to ensure that we are one Team JEF, I pledge that I would exercise my statutory right to attend EB meetings, ideally in rotation with my other colleagues. This is a necessity to build one Team JEF where EB and FC work hand-in-hand.

I will work to see that PCs/TFs/WGs reflect the bottom-up consensus of the FC.

We are federalists, not proponents of recreating the same problems of the nation state at Union level. Therefore, I am in agreement with initiatives taken by fellow FC candidates to focus on tackling the far-right, and international action.

I pledge to continue my involvement in the Federalist Peace Forum.

@nikoschircop

(+356) 79892756

My name is Valentin, I’m 24 years old. I study History, Politics and Law in Berlin and work as a journalist. My JEF journey started in 2020, in the midst of the pandemic as part of a small group that started to rebuild our Berlin section after the lockdowns. From 2021 to 2023 I was Vice-President of JEF Berlin-Brandenburg in charge of Civic Education. For the past two years, I have been Co-Chair of JEF Germany’s Federal Committee, chairing our quarterly meetings and representing our 14 regional sections vis-à-vis the national Board. In this role, I also co-chaired the Federal Congress of UEF Germany in 2024 and 2025.

The FC is where federalism comes to life: JEFers from all of Europe come together to shape the policies and strategies that move us towards our European Federation. As Co-President of JEF Germany’s FC, I have gained valuable experience in consensus-building, chairing meetings through complicated debates, and managing disputes constructively. That is why, if elected to the FC, I would like to contribute to its work as a member of the Presidium. Over the last mandate we have seen a breakdown of trust, notably between FC and EB, but also between sections. I want to help to rebuild this trust.

Diversity is our biggest strength. The FC is the place where we build the bridges between our sections, different political and personal backgrounds to work on our shared vision and ideas. If elected, I would aim to build a team spirit and an atmosphere that ensures constructive debates where every opinion can be heard properly. This implies good and direct communication within the FC and with the EB. I would make sure that the FC is represented at every EB meeting by a member of the FC Presidium to strengthen trust between the two bodies, improve information flow and increase transparency. The FC should, at all times, be aware of the developments relevant to the work and future of JEF.

In planning the coming mandate, I believe two aspects should be reflected in the FC’s decisions on PCs and Task Forces: 1. In recent years, JEF has found itself operating in an increasingly hostile political environment, marked by attacks, populist or extremist governments, and funding cuts. The FC can help to develop strategies and tools for sections and members to deal with these circumstances. 2. In my experience, many local and regional sections feel that JEF Europe is distant and offers little added value to their work on the ground. While this is also a matter of communication within sections, I think PCs and TFs should be more visible to the membership in order to play their part in making JEF Europe more approachable – e.g. by more actively engaging local sections for their input.

+49 1520 3317559 / valentin.petri@jef.de /@valentin.petri

For the past six years, I’ve dedicated most of my free time to promoting the federalist idea among Bulgarian youth and society. I joined JEF Bulgaria in 2019 while studying European Studies, and the organization quickly became the main driver of my personal and professional growth. In 2022, I became President and worked to revitalize the section after the pandemic, restoring activities, attracting members, joining the Bulgarian National Youth Council, making networks with local organization and creating a team. In 2024, I became International Officer to strengthen our European presence, build project partnerships, and lead Bulgaria’s successful bid to host the 2025 Spring Federal Committee, the first JEF Europe statutory event ever in the country. I hold a master’s in European projects and currently work as an intramuros in the European Commission Representation in Sofia.

Recent years have shown how fragile democracy is across Europe. Authoritarianism, corruption, and apathy are growing, while many young people lose faith in politics. Through JEF Bulgaria, we worked to rebuild trust, engage students through debates and school visits to show federalism as a practical idea, not a niche one. I would like to continue my work on a European level for other sections. Since freedom of speech is being challenged, and political apathy risks becoming the norm, we must help citizens regain confidence to participate and act.

I see the Federalist Academy as a key platform for empowering youth and strengthening civic participation. Democracy must be learned and practiced daily, through cooperation between sections and the exchange of ideas. As an FC member, I want to listen to sections, understand their challenges, and work with the EB to turn them into action. We must remind people of Europe’s value and our shared duty to defend it.
Today, JEF faces both external attacks and internal challenges. Our task is to give our members and youth the courage in an uncertain world. JEF cannot reverse the trends alone but can help unite Europeans around common values and practical solutions. Europe has always progressed through crises; the next two years should be about listening to citizens’ hopes and preparing for the Europe they deserve.

I believe the current structure of Political Commissions (PCs) and Task Forces/Working Groups is already solid and reflects the priorities and expertise that JEF has developed over the years. The existing PCs cover the core pillars of our political work, democracy, foreign affairs, and internal European affairs, and they provide a balanced framework for both long-term federalist advocacy and reactions to current events.
I also think the Communication Task Force could be combined with an Event Planning one, creating better coordination and offering stronger support to all national sections, from the smallest to the largest.

+359 877 123 210