Become a Youth Ambassador

ONE Youth Ambassadors – part of ONE’s Global Activists programme – are a young and motivated team of volunteers who electrify our campaigns across Europe and the United Kingdom.

The annual Youth Ambassador programmes provide more than 300 young activists across Europe with the skills to advocate for more economic opportunities and healthier lives in Africa, by engaging decision-makers at European, national and local levels.

As a Youth Ambassador, you will be crucial to advancing ONE’s mission by being our best advocates and bringing attention to the topics we fight for. You will:

Build your knowledge of international development financing, global health, and what African countries are fighting for in those areas.
Develop skills in public speaking, presenting, writing, networking, and advocacy through your interaction with decision-makers, the public and (local) media.
Take part in impactful events where you’ll meet European and/or national policymakers and help shape real change.
Be part of a network of young, passionate advocates from across Europe, forming friendships while making a global impact.

What’s in it for you?

Leroy, EU Youth Ambassador

Being part of ONE has amplified my passion for peace, justice and equality while contributing to a more sustainable world. I was able to be a voice for others and collaborated with a community committed to real change.

Apply in the EU (Belgium)

Lilia, French Youth Ambassador

ONE gave me something I didn’t know I needed at 19: the confidence to believe that where you come from should never determine where you can go. I found my voice alongside a generation of young people from different backgrounds, united by the determination to challenge inequality.

Apply in France

Yasmin, German Youth Ambassador

I’ve learnt that it doesn’t matter how old you are; anyone can bring about change. I particularly like the fact that ONE gives a voice to people who are often overlooked by politicians.

Apply in Germany

Mariame, Italian Youth Ambassador

As an Italian-Moroccan, Africa has always been close to my heart. Being a Youth Ambassador has given me the chance to turn that connection into something meaningful by advocating for a more equal future for the continent and by turning what I care about into action.

Apply in Italy

David, Dutch Youth Ambassador

As a Youth Ambassador for ONE it’s incredibly rewarding to see your efforts turn into real, tangible results.

Apply in the Netherlands

Eze, United Kingdom Youth Ambassador

For me, the biggest privilege has been having a platform to speak up for people and communities whose voices too often go unheard and knowing that those conversations can help lead to real change.

Apply in the UK

Key wins

In recent years, Youth Ambassadors have made significant achievements across our various country programs. To name a few:

In the EU (Belgium), Youth Ambassadors called on MEPs, EU Commissioners and other European leaders to keep Europe at the forefront of international development funding. Their advocacy has contributed to wider efforts to protect vital investments in global health, including the European Commission’s €700 million pledge to the Global Fund to help fight HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
In France, they met with President Macron in 2023 ahead of the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact and delivered messages collected from hundreds of ONE supporters. Following this meeting, two Youth Ambassadors received an invitation to attend the Summit, making them the rare youth activists to be able to participate in this high-level event.
In Germany, Youth Ambassadors met up with key political figures like chancellor Olaf Scholz and Minister for Development Reem Alabali Radovan to advocate for ODA budgets and contributions to global health instruments. They spoke at key conferences including the Hamburg Sustainability Conference and the World Health Summit to increase visibility for ONE’s issues.
In Italy, Youth Ambassadors attended the Italian Conference on Development Cooperation and used a creative coffee stunt to call for stronger EU investment in Sub-Saharan Africa and human development, generating strong visibility and high-level engagement at a crucial moment in negotiations on the EU’s next long-term budget.
In the Netherlands, our position allowed us to engage both Rob Jetten — now Prime Minister — during the 2023 national elections on the importance of development cooperation and global health, securing his support as an Ally of Development, and Sjoerd Sjoerdsma, the current Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, on sustained development cooperation investments through the EU’s long-term budget.
In the UK, Youth Ambassadors campaigned for a strong UK commitment to the Global Fund in 2025, leading to a reduction in the initally announced cuts to the fund. They represented ONE as youth delegates at the Global Partnerships Conference. Most recently, they helped take ONE’s Born to Live campaign across the country, engaging the public and decision-makers to build support for child survival.