Hi, dear Jeffers! I’m Lilli, the current Vice President of JEF Finland —a Turku native and European at heart. At the upcoming General Assembly, I’ll be running for another term as Vice President of European Youth.
The past year has been one of change and growth for JEF Finland. This year, we’ve strengthened our communication and visibility across multiple platforms, built new relationships through diverse campaigns and projects, strengthened the operational conditions of our regional chapters, established a new regional organization, reinstated activity-based grants, and engaged in active advocacy work both in Finland and internationally. However, these are not isolated achievements from this year alone, but rather part of a longer-term development.
In 2027, JEF Finland will celebrate its 30th anniversary. This anniversary year offers an opportunity to look back on this journey, but it is even more important to look ahead. How do we grow our membership? How do we better support our regional chapters? How do we ensure that the voice of Eurooppanuoret is heard and grows stronger in Finnish and international discourse over the next 30 years as well?
I am running for another term as Vice President because I believe that right now we need a long-term perspective, bold ideas, and, at the same time, stability. Many of the reforms launched this year are still in their initial stages. I want to ensure that best practices take root within our organization and that we use this anniversary year not only to increase our visibility but also to strengthen the organization.
I have therefore divided my campaign into three themes: 1. Visibility and Impact, 2. Community and Regions, and 3. Internationality and Cooperation. These three themes are the areas I want to promote next year, as it feels like the work has only just begun this year. A strong organization isn’t built on individual projects or successful events, but on members who find their place in our activities, on regions with the potential to thrive, and on a community capable of reinventing itself in a changing world. I believe that JEF Finland has everything it needs to achieve this. JEF Finland is a community where everyone is welcome, and that is why I want to continue working for the organization in 2027 as well.
Next year, the executive board will need stability, but also bold leaders who are ready to guide JEF Finland toward becoming an even more influential and inclusive organization—one where every member has the opportunity to make a difference exactly as they hope and wish.
You can read more about my thoughts here. See you at the general assembly!
