National Congress 2025

Dear members of JEF Finland,

I am asking for your trust to serve as president of our beloved organisation for 2026.

Next year, I want to help build JEF Finland into an even louder, more balanced and more accessible movement, keeping the most important thing at its core: building a better and more unified European future.

JEF Finland must be a bold and visionary trailblazer that brings European federalism to the heart of Finnish politics. We must dare to speak about Europe’s ambitious future and demand that others take part in this conversation as well.

During my soon one-and-a-half-year term as vice-president, we have stabilised our organisation’s financial foundation by building strong projects. At the same time, local activities have gained new momentum and strengthened JEF Finland’s visibility across Finland. This work must not remain a passing moment — we must continue with the same determination. As I said when applying to the executive board in autumn 2023, local activities are our heart and our most important platform for growth.

At the same time, we must also dare to look beyond our borders. In the international JEF field, JEF Finland must take on the larger organisation’s role that rightfully belongs to it. This means more active cooperation with our sister organisations and ever more accessible international opportunities for young Finns.

In order to be a credible expert and a strong voice for young people, we must also look after our organisation’s internal sustainability. As a result of the challenges of recent years, the workload of JEF Finland’s executive board has at times grown unsustainable, and our organisation’s impact can no longer rely solely on our volunteers stretching themselves to their limits. One solution to this would be a transition towards a part-time president. Strengthening financial stability and the well-being of our actives is work we must commit to over the long term.

Equally important, however, is nurturing our community, where friendship and laughter carry everyday life forward. That is why my campaign is not just about my visions and goals, but about developing our shared future. I want to hear from all of you — local sections, and new and old members alike — about what you want next year’s JEF Finland to look like. My (virtual) door is always open, so send me a message and let’s talk together!

Speak soon,

Pieta

—

Dear JEFers,

I am running for president of JEF Finland for 2026.

Next year, I want to be at the forefront of building an even louder, more stable, and more accessible JEF Finland, keeping at its core what matters the most: building a better and more unified European future.

JEF Finland must be a bold and visionary leader, bringing European federalism to the heart of Finnish politics. We must have the courage to speak of Europe’s ambitious future and demand others to join this conversation.

As Vice President in the past year and a half I have focused on stabilising our finances through projectification and on strengthening local sections across Finland. This work must continue, but so must our ambition to play a stronger role internationally within JEF Europe.

To succeed, we need a resilient organization that supports the well-being of its actives. As a result of the challenges of recent years, the workload of JEF Finland’s board has become partly unsustainable. Our organization’s political power should no longer rely solely on the stretching of our volunteers to their limits. One solution to this would be a transition towards a part time president.

Equally important, however, is nurturing our community, where friendship and laughter carry us through everyday life. Therefore, my campaign is not just about my visions and goals, but about developing our shared future. I want to hear from all of you: local sections, as well as new and old members about what you want next year’s JEF Finland to look like. My door is always open, so send me a message, and let’s talk together!

Federalist regards,

Pieta

Hi! I’m Santeri Anttila and I’m running for vice-president of JEF Finland for 2026. I come from Tampere, where I’m also now in my fourth year studying political science. Europe and the EU are close to my heart both through my studies and in my free time — this is also a big reason why JEF Finland is my organisational home. When I have the time, I enjoy running and going to the gym, reading, and beers!

I have been active in JEF Finland for about four years, first as EU affairs officer and secretary of JEF Tampere, and later as vice-chair. This year I have served on the executive board as political officer, which has been a role I have really enjoyed. On the political side, I have particularly worked on political communications, such as campaigns and statements. I have also chaired the political working group, communicated with stakeholders and planned a few panels — oh, and of course represented the organisation! In addition, on the executive board I have been able to help out with events and international activities, for example. As a regional liaison, I am responsible for the Tampere local section.

I am running for vice-president for 2026 because I want to help develop JEF Finland into an ever more impactful and inclusive youth organisation. JEF Finland holds a unique place in the Finnish organisational field, as no other youth organisation communicates about the EU and Europe as actively as we do. As vice-president, I would like to activate JEF Finland’s political advocacy further by developing the political working group, increasing meetings with decision-makers and renewing our political communications. Involving the membership is an important theme, as it makes our activities more accessible. That is why it is important to maintain current practices, such as evenings and gatherings for actives, as well as working groups.

JEF Finland’s activities are built on independent and strong local sections. At the national level, it is therefore particularly important to take the local sections into account and, where needed, offer them support. At the same time, we are part of a larger European movement, so internationality must be considered broadly. Taking both levels into account requires versatility in events and communications, but also clear delegation within the executive board. All of the above is pointless, however, if the sustainability of our activities is neglected. Continuity can be guaranteed through responsible financial management, strengthening skills and developing our organisational culture. The well-being of our actives must also be looked after, and no one should become overburdened in organisational work.

Above all, however, I am running for vice-president because in JEF Finland I have found, alongside meaningful work, a community that is irreplaceable to me. That is why I am ready to give even more of myself to this organisation.

I am Emmi-Julia Lehtonen and I am running for vice-president of JEF Finland for 2026!

Themes that are important to me include looking after the well-being of our actives, equality between local sections, more accessible communications, and guaranteeing a diverse range of events.

I have been active in JEF Finland since 2020, including three terms in JEF Jyväskylä as, among other things, events and project officer, vice-chair and chair.

Over the past year, I have been responsible for communications and events on the executive board. I want to continue developing these sectors so that we can offer our members diverse, interesting and inclusive content and activities. I also work professionally in communications, and I feel that with my expertise I can make JEF Finland’s communications even better. In particular, I feel it is important to invest further in the accessibility and targeting of our communications. In my view, it is important for the vice-president responsible for events to have solid experience of events — which I have!

Looking after the well-being of our actives is extremely important. Burnout is in no one’s interest, and an equal division of work — and sticking to it — supports the well-being of all actives, both in the local sections and on the executive board.

Local activities must remain approachable with a low threshold — this guarantees that anyone interested can take part, even if JEF Finland or organisational activities in general are not already familiar to them. The local sections must continue to be supported, as they are the core of our organisation and often the first point of contact with our activities. Diverse local activities encourage members to get involved at the local section, executive board and international levels alike. Through equality between local sections, we can ensure that as many young people as possible can take part in JEF Finland’s activities, comprehensively across Finland.

JEF Finland is my organisational home and a place where I have been able to learn and grow as an organisational active. Behind everything I do is the idea that through my own actions I can help develop our organisation so that it can become the organisational home of countless other enthusiastic people, regardless of region or background. That is why I am running for vice-president!

You can also get to know my themes and values on my Instagram @emmijulialehtonen

—

I’m Emmi-Julia Lehtonen and I’m running to be Vice-President of JEF-Finland in 2026!

I’m a passionate JEFer with competence in communications and events. My main goals are to sustain equal working systems for those that are in active within the organisation, improve communication to be more accessible, equal support of the local sections, and providing interesting events for our members.

I’ve been a JEFer since 2020. I have been part of JEF-Jyväskylä board for three years, and for this year I’ve been a member of JEF-Finland’s board, responsible for communication and events.

Hi dear JEFers! I’m Lilli — a member of JEF Finland’s executive board, from Turku, and a European. At the upcoming National Congress I am running for the position of vice-president. In JEF Finland I’ve been able to grow from an organisational novice into a skilled organisational powerhouse who never runs out of ideas. I’m not afraid of responsibility, I see things and ideas through to the end, and amid all the hard work I also remember to sing karaoke.

In JEF Finland I have served on a local section board as an ordinary member, as chair, and now as a member of the executive board. In Turku I was part of very different boards: a large one, where I saw what it was like to work with plenty of resources, and I chaired a smaller one, where prioritisation and lobbying were key. Over all these years I have seen how the national organisation’s presence and resources shape what a local section looks like, and I feel that the national organisation’s support for the local sections and its presence in the regions is extremely important.

I believe JEF Finland must strengthen one of its most central missions: increasing young people’s EU knowledge and skills. Without engaged young people, developing Europe will be even more challenging in the future. The key to spreading EU knowledge is that, in addition to us Europe experts, others get excited about EU affairs too. This can be achieved through what I have already started this year: low-threshold communications and reaching out to new target groups.

We must also work on our organisation’s recognisability and regional representativeness. I want to develop us into a more inclusive community, where everyone has the opportunity to influence our activities at many different levels and in many different ways, and to find their organisational home. What matters for next year is that we maintain our eligibility for Ministry of Education and Culture funding, work at multiple levels so that our visibility and voice in decision-making improve, and that ever more young people find us and join in making us Finland’s most impactful youth organisation.

To achieve these goals, the leadership of the executive board needs idea-rich communications experts, all-rounders in local activities, and international and bold actives who are ready to lead JEF Finland into an even more impactful organisation that includes every member and offers every active the opportunity to make a difference in exactly the way they hope and want.

Follow the campaign on Instagram @louhikoski and do send me a message too. See you at the National Congress!
___

Dear JEFers!

I’m Lilli and I’m running for Vice-President of JEF Finland’s national board. I’m seeking your trust because I know I have a lot to give to make our national JEF the best it can be.

I want a more open and inclusive national section, where every member gets their voice heard, where that has its voice heard in national EU-discussions, and finally a national board that supports local sections, so that local sections remain places where newcomers feel right at home. I’m determined to make this vision a reality and hope to see you in the national assembly!

Hi! My name is Vilma Vähä-Antila and I am currently studying political science at the University of Jyväskylä. Over the past year I have served as the communications officer of JEF Jyväskylä, and now I am seeking a position on JEF Finland’s executive board. When I was elected to the local section board a year ago, I had no idea what a wonderful community I had just stepped into. JEF Finland has taught me a lot, especially about the power of community! What wonderful things can be achieved when we work together. That is why I see supporting and involving the local sections as truly important — it has played a big role in my own path in JEF Finland. In the coming year, I would like to work on communications especially through audiovisual content across different channels. It is important to grow JEF Finland’s visibility as a bold organisation that is not afraid to make young people’s voices heard!

Hi! My name is Vilma Vähä-Antila and I am currently studying political science at the University of Jyväskylä. During the past year I have worked as the communications lead for JEF Jyväskylä, and now I am aiming for a position on the JEF Finland board. When I was elected to the regional board a year ago, I had no idea what kind of wonderful community I was stepping into. JEF has taught me a lot, especially about the power of community and how amazing things can be achieved when we work together. That is why I think supporting and involving the regions is very important, as it has been a significant part of my own path in JEF. In the coming year, I hope to focus on communications especially through audiovisual content on different channels. It is important to strengthen JEF’s visibility as a bold organisation that is not afraid to make young people’s voices heard.

Hi! I’m Ronja Tilli, a 23-year-old political science & communications student at the University of Tampere, though I make my home in Helsinki. In my studies I have focused on the themes of integration, participation, climate change and democracy in the EU and its member states. I have nine years of experience in political and advocacy organisations. Most recently, I have gained experience as the communications officer on the board of JEF Helsinki. Alongside my own roles, I have actively taken part in the organisation’s national and international events, where my knowledge of and enthusiasm for EU affairs, as well as my networks in the national and international JEF field, have grown enormously! I am running for the executive board because I want to put everything I have learned and experienced to use, so that at JEF Finland we can give an even greater share of young people a pathway to EU knowledge, and more strongly support democracy and a Europe united in its diversity!

–

Hi! My name is Ronja Tilli, a 23-year-old political science and communications student at the University of Tampere, yet living in Helsinki. In my studies, I have focused on integration, participation, climate change, and democracy in the EU and its member states. I have nine years of experience working in political and advocacy organizations. Most recently, I have gained experience as the Communications Officer for the JEF Helsinki board. This year, I have also actively participated in national and international events organized by JEF Finland, where my knowledge and enthusiasm for EU affairs, as well as my network in the national and international JEF field, have grown enormously! I am running for the association’s board to put everything I have learned and experienced to good use so that we at JEF Finland can give even more young people access to knowledge about the EU and be able to more strongly support democracy and a Europe that is united in its diversity!

Hi! I’m Elle Okker and I’m running for the 2026 executive board.
Over the past year I have served as chair of JEF Turku, and in the coming year I would like to experience JEF Finland’s activities at the executive board level. During the past year I have learned a lot not only about Europe and JEF Finland, but also about myself. I have learned to trust my own abilities and seen what great things can be achieved by working together. At the same time, I have got to experience JEF Finland’s unique community both at the local level and at national events.

I feel I have a lot to give to JEF Finland: I am determined and get things done — some might even call me go-getting. It is great to see the results of your own work, and that is what I look forward to on the executive board. Above all, though, it would be important to me that JEF Finland is seen as an approachable and diverse organisation — not just an organisation for people who know everything about the EU or are experienced organisational actives. In addition to strengthening my own skills, I want to help create the wonderful, relaxed atmosphere that JEF Finland has.

Hello! I’m Elias, this year’s vice-chair of JEF Turku. I’m running for the executive board because I know I would have a lot to give there.

When I was elected vice-chair of JEF Turku at the autumn meeting last year, I made three election promises: to re-activate the working groups, to restart our twinning activities, and to better include international students in our activities.

This year my strategic vision came true when, under my leadership, we signed a twinning cooperation agreement with the Pro-European Youth of Iceland and organised a joint event with international students. In addition, together with the board we activated three working groups.

I want to bring my expertise in goal-oriented and strategic work to the executive board. I set strategy-level goals and work towards them persistently and relentlessly. That is why I see the executive board as the right place for me.

My strategic and results-driven approach, combined with real-world results, makes me exactly the right person for the executive board.

—

Hi! My name is Elias. I am the vice-chair of JEF Turku, and I am running for the national board because I know I would have a lot to give there.

When I was elected as the Vice-Chair of JEF Turku I promised three things: I would re-activate our working groups again, I would rekindle our twinning efforts, and I would better include international students in our organization.

Over the last year my strategic vision came to fruition when under my leadership we started a twinning relationship with Pro-European Youth of Iceland and collaborated on an event with international students. In addition JEF Turku re-activated three different working groups.

I want to bring my strategic and goal-driven approach to working in JEF to our national board. I set strategic goals and work tirelessly towards them. That is why I see that the national board is the correct place to put my expertise to work.

My experience, combined with real-word results, makes me the perfect candidate.

Greetings! I am Emma Jama, a member of this year’s executive board, and I am seeking a second term in my role at the National Congress. My own JEF journey began in 2021, and since then I have served on a local section board, in working groups, and most recently as the executive board’s project officer.

For me, JEF Finland is a community that makes it possible to learn new things, to challenge previous assumptions, and to build a Europe that is safe and accessible for young people. This year has been all of that, but my work is not yet done. I promise to contribute to creating sustainable activities that emphasise impact and approachability. JEF Finland must be the most audible voice in the Finnish debate on Europe, internationally accessible, and above all an organisation where actives feel their role is more meaningful than its size would suggest.

My expertise and interest lie particularly in strengthening our project and funding base. This year, my contribution has not only ensured the continuity of established activities, such as the Linnaseminaari seminar and school visits, but I have also innovated and advanced new initiatives. In project work there is room for coordination with the political and communications sectors, in order to avoid overlapping campaigns, for example. This makes the work more sustainable and more meaningful. The role of project officer has allowed me to work across role boundaries, and I have taken part in event production, campaign coordination and advancing internationality alike. This year as project officer has given me the tools for a broad understanding of our activities, and I want to bring these tools and this expertise to next year’s executive board work as well.

When I first got involved in organisational work, I was driven by a passion to learn more and to work for a Europe that is more accessible to young people. Now I am seeking to continue on the executive board — not to extinguish that passion, but to ensure that young people everywhere find the community we already hold dear, in which to grow, to experience, and to belong to something greater.

See you in Turku!