JEF - Young European Federalists (HQ)

The Young European Federalists (JEF Europe) is a political youth NGO advocating for the creation of a democratic European federation as a guarantee for peace, the rule of law and human rights. JEF Europe promotes true European citizenship, works for the widening and deepening of the European Union and strives for a more just and integrated society on the European continent and beyond. Established in 1972, the organisation has more than 10,000 activists organised in over 250 national, regional and local sections in 37 countries. The ideals and aims of JEF Europe are defined in the Manifesto of Ventotene, the Political Platform and resolutions adopted by its statutory bodies.

As federalists, we believe that Europeans can achieve long-term peace and prosperity if they work together and see the continent as one community that benefits from its diversity. Following the motto “Simply a generation ahead”, we want Europe to complete the integration process started after World War II and meet the challenges of the 21st century. We hope this development can be accompanied and followed by similar processes elsewhere, leading to the creation of a democratic world federation and a more peaceful, just and sustainable global order.

At the same time, we reject the concept of a centralised European super-state. The federal model we promote is based on subsidiarity, keeping the power of national, regional and local authorities over all issues that can be successfully tackled at their levels of governance. The role of the federation is to solve problems that require a pan-European approach in such areas as environmental protection, economic stability, energy supply, digital transition, international security, management of migration flows or protection of fundamental rights and freedoms both inside and outside Europe.