Numerous JEFers commit themselves every day to make Europe a better place, motivated by a profound belief that Europe is our common future.
They are young people that believe they can and will make a change in how the European Union develops.
They are European citizens that voluntarily spend their free time to keep the European dream alive, share it with others and make it a reality.
As federalists, they are convinced that only European democracy can enable a more free, just and democratic society and that European democracy is created and protected through active Citizenship.
We are convinced that Citizenship is not just something European citizens have, but also something they should DO. Nobody needs to wait a single moment before starting to improve the society we live in.
As a movement of young citizens, JEF only exists through the contributions of its volunteers. On this page, you can meet some of the people that willingly donate their free time to the struggle for a more democratic, just and free Europe.
Executive Board
The Executive Board (EB) comprises the President, two Vice-Presidents, four directly elected members, the Treasurer and the Secretary General.
Federal Committee
The Federal Committee (FC) is the main decision-making body between the European Congresses, it meets twice per year and decides on the political directions of the organisation.
European Secretariat
The European Secretariat is JEF’s public administration. The Secretary General is in charge of the European Secretariat of the association.
Arbitration Board
The Arbitration Board settles statutory conflicts between members, JEF sections and statutory bodies of JEF.
Auditors Committee
The Auditors Committee verifies the accounts of the association at least once a year. It is composed of at least two members and a maximum of three, elected by the Congress.
Executive Board
The Executive Board (EB) comprises the President, two Vice-Presidents, four directly elected members, the Treasurer and the Secretary-General.
The EB meets four to six times a year and is responsible for the overall management of the organisation. The EB members each hold specific 1) organisational, 2) geographic and 3) thematic/political responsibilities, which you can find below. They are always happy to answer to your questions so please feel free to contact them at [firstname].[lastname]@jef.eu.
Executive Board Responsibilities
• Strengthening the organisational development of JEF Europe via specific portfolios.
• Coordination of the preparation of the international seminars together with the organising section and the Secretariat.
• Preparation of, assistance to and follow-up on the work of the PCs and/or WGs assigned and participation in the PC’s and WG’s sessions during the FC meeting.
• Ensuring regular contacts with sections, among others, by exchanging detailed contact details.
• Encouraging sections to take part in different activities and contribute to JEF Europe’s work.
• Visiting the sections or taking part in their statutory meetings or activities, if possible.
• Monitoring the policy areas assigned, writing articles on them and preparing press releases together with the Press responsible.
• Being the contact person for JEFers who have information on these policy areas or wish to discuss certain issues
Executive Board Members
Leonie Martin
President
Leonie is the President of JEF Europe and leads the Executive Board. She focuses on the following topics and areas:
- Tasks and Projects: Leadership, Press Relations, Communications and Advocacy, Y-Fed, EYFWP2019, Schuman 2.0, EYE2020
- Policy Areas: Eurozone and Banking Union, Rule of Law, Brexit, EU Association Law, Conference on the Future of Europe, Free Movement and Schengen Area
- Partners: Union of European Federalists, Friends of JEF, Advisory Council on Youth, The New Federalist
- Sections: JEF Hungary, JEF United Kingdom
- Task Forces and Political Commissions: TF Resilient JEF, Political Commission 1 (Institutions and Governance)
Emma Farrugia
Vice-President
Emma is the Vice-President of JEF Europe. She focuses on the following topics and areas:
- Tasks and Projects: Capacity Building, JEF Pool of Trainers, Pimp my JEF, Federal Academy, Y-Fed
- Policy Areas: EU Budget and Trade, Youth Policy, Security and Defense
- Partners: European Youth Forum
- Sections: JEF Germany, JEF Finland, JEF Bulgaria
- Task Forces and Political Commissions: TF Capacity Building, Political Commission 3 (External Affairs and Global Governance)
Sebastiano Putoto
Vice-President
Sebastiano is the Vice-President of JEF Europe. He focuses on the following topics and areas:
- Tasks and Projects: Advocacy
- Partners: European Movement International, World Federalist Movement, The New Federalist
- Sections: JEF Latvia, JEF Norway, JEF Sweden
- Task Forces and Political Commissions: TF Empowerment and Diversity, Political Commission 1 (Institutions and Governance)
Chris Powers
Treasurer
Chris is the Treasurer of JEF Europe. He focuses on the following topics and areas:
- Tasks and Projects: Finances, SDG global, Y-Fed
- Policy Areas: Enlargement, Climate and Environment, Brexit, Rule of Law, European Association Law
- Partners: Friends of JEF, World Federalist Movement
- Sections: JEF Poland
- Task Forces and Political Commissions: Political Commission 3 (External Affairs and Global Governance)
Diletta Alese
Executive Board Member
Diletta is an Executive Board Member of JEF Europe. She focuses on the following topics and areas:
- Tasks and Projects: Capacity Building, JEF Pool of Trainers, Pimp my JEF, Federal Academy, Press Relations, Y-Fed
- Policy Areas: Migration, Free Movement/Schengen, Rule of Law, Climate, Social Europe, Enlargement
- Sections: JEF Austria, JEF Denmark, JEF Czech Republic, JEF Montenegro, JEF North Macedonia, JEF Romania (Candidate)
- Task Forces and Political Commissions: TF Capacity Building, Political Commission 2 (Internal European Affairs)
Andreas Høstgaard Poulsen
Executive Board Member
Andreas is an Executive Board Member of JEF Europe. He focuses on the following topics and areas:
- Tasks and Projects: Advocacy, Re-Acti-On, Y-Fed
- Policy Areas: Climate and Environment, Social Europe, Enlargement, Security and Defense, Eurozone and Banking Union
- Sections: JEF Belgium, JEF Croatia, JEF Malta, JEF Netherlands, JEF Slovakia, JEF Spain
- Task Forces and Political Commissions: TF Green Transition, Political Commission 2 (Internal European Affairs)
Moritz Schleicher
Executive Board Member
Moritz is an Executive Board Member of JEF Europe. He focuses on the following topics and areas:
- Tasks and Projects: EYFWP2020, EYE2020, Y-Fed, Press Relations
- Policy Areas: Civic Education, Digitalisation, Technology, Artificial Intelligence, International Partnerships/Asia, Climate and Environment, Enlargement
- Partners: The New Federalist
- Sections: JEF France, JEF Kosovo, JEF Portugal, JEF Slovenia
- Task Forces and Political Commissions: TF Civic Education
Christelle Savall
Executive Board Member
Christelle is an Executive Board Member of JEF Europe. She focuses on the following topics and areas:
- Tasks and Projects: Federalist Academy, Mindset, Y-Fed
- Policy Areas: Enlargement, Eurozone and Banking Union
- Sections: JEF Latvia, JEF Slovakia
- Task Forces and Political Commissions: Political Commission 3 (External Affairs and Global Governance) and TF Empowerment & Diversity
Milosh Ristovski
Secretary General
Milosh is the Secretary General of JEF Europe. He focuses on the following topics and areas:
- Tasks and Projects: General Administration, Human Resources, Project Management, Organisation of Statutory Meetings, JEF Pool of Trainers, Pimp my JEF
- Partners: Civil Society Europe, Friends of JEF, Advisory Council on Youth, European Youth Forum
- Task Forces and Political Commissions: TF Civic Education
Federal Committee
The Federal Committee (FC) meets twice a year and is responsible for formulating JEF resolutions policies. It is the main decision-making body between the European Congresses. The Federal Committee is mainly composed of one representative of each national section of JEF and 16 members elected directly by the Congress. This allows JEF to combine national representatives with directly elected European representatives united in one assembly (instead of 2 different chambers) – federalism in practice!
All FC members together are interacting with the Executive Bureau (EB) like a parliament interacts with a government and holds it accountable. Each of the 16 directly elected members of the FC is also responsible for one area of political or organisational activity being the (co-)chair of one of the Political Commissions or Task Forces respectively.
Structure of the Federal Committee
The Presidium consists of three members that are responsible for chairing the FC meetings and also coordinating and steering the work and activities of the Political Commissions and Task Forces in-between the FC meetings by providing input and distributing the tasks.
The national delegates are the representatives from the sections and they are responsible for bridging the European level with the national, regional and local levels by: transmitting information from JEF Europe to the sections & encouraging their own members to participate in the debates and other activities of JEF Europe.
These members are independent from sections and are responsible for making substantial contributions to the elaboration of political messages by submitting draft resolutions to the FC.
The Congress is the supreme body of JEF and represents all JEF members. You could consider the Congress as the representation of the citizens of JEF. It meets every two years. It is composed of delegates elected by JEF national sections. The congress elects most mandate holders of JEF (the President, the two Vice-Presidents, the Treasurer, the members of the Executive Board, the directly elected members of the Federal Committee, the Arbitration Board and the Auditors Committee). The Congress also defines the political direction of JEF and its policies by discussing and formulating the Political Platform.
EB members are also part of the FC since they are holding voting rights, except for the Secretary-General.
According to the official Rules of Procedure, Observers are JEF members who are present at statutory meetings but not in the capacity of delegates and thus without a voting right. They consist of, among others, representatives from candidate sections. Observers with important organisational duties can ask the Presidium to be incorporated in the Google Group of the FC email list.
Members directly elected from the Congress
Simon Devos-Chernova
Federal Committee Member
Simon is a member of the Federal Committee Presidium and Co-Chair of TF Green Transition.
Sonja Afanasjeva
Federal Committee Member
Sonja is a member of the Federal Committee Presidium
Gerhard Soyka
Federal Committee Member
Gerhard is a member of the Federal Committee Presidium.
Annemarie Hertner
Federal Committee Member
Annemarie is Co-Chair of TF Civic Education. and Co-Chair of Political Commission 2 (Internal European Affairs).
Kalojan Hoffmeister
Federal Committee Member
Kalojan is Co-Chair of Political Commission 1 (Institutions and Governance).
Ine Tollenaers
Federal Committee Member
Ine is Co-Chair of Political Commission 3 (External Affairs and Global Governance).
Riccardo Moschetti
Federal Committee Member
Riccardo is Co-Chair of Political Commission 3 (External Affairs and Global Governance).
Flavia-Gabriela Sandu
Federal Committee Member
Flavia is Co-Chair of Political Commission 2 (Internal European Affairs).
Olav Soldal
Federal Committee Member
Olav is Co-Chair of Political Commission 2 (Internal European Affairs).
Aleksandra Aleksejeva
Federal Committee Member
Aleksandra is Co-Chair of TF Green Transition.
Giorgia Sorrentino
Federal Committee Member
Giorgia is Co-Chair of Political Commission 1 (Institutions and Governance).
Katharina Burren
Federal Committee Member
Katharina is Co-Chair of Task Force Capacity Building
European Secretariat
The European Secretariat is JEF’s public administration. The Secretary General is in charge of the European Secretariat of the association. S/he is responsible for relations with the sections of JEF Europe and the coordination of their activities. S/he is appointed by the Executive Board and ratified by the Federal Committee for a term of two years.
Milosh Ristovski
Secretary General
Milosh comes from Kumanovo (North Macedonia) where he worked in and for 2 years also managed Center for Intercultural Dialogue (CID). He started working with JEF Europe as a trainer/educator for different JEF international activities for about 7 years. Beside his experience as a manager/leader, Milosh is a trainer/consultant for CSOs and European Institutions over 10 year.
He’s been appointed as new Secretary General of JEF Europe in April 2018. During the next two years, his main objective will be to strengthen JEF Europe and its sections throughout Europe, to help them develop to ensure JEF’s political impact grows even stronger at all levels.
He is in charge of the daily leadership and management of the organisation and the staff team based in Brussels.
Leonie Martin
President
Leonie hails from the cross-border region of Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium. She has a master degree in European public policy and administration from Maastricht University and in International and European law from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. She has also lived in Budapest, Berlin and the Washington D.C. area.
Leonie has been active in JEF since the end of 2010, when JEF Netherlands was re-initiated. She was one of the co-founders of JEF Maastricht, has been active in many board positions in JEF Netherlands, ensuring that the organization would become a member section, and she stimulated inter-regional ties as one of the coordinators of the JEF Cross-Border Network. With her passion for communicating European politics and stimulating the political debate, Leonie has been active as Senior Vice-President for two mandates (2015 – 2019) and is full-time President since January 2020.
Michal Rybacki
Policy Officer
Michał was born in Poland and joined JEF Europe’s Secretariat after interning at the European Parliament and NATO as well as promoting human rights and youth civic engagement with several NGOs. Holding Master’s degrees in International Relations and Peace & Conflict Studies, he considers European integration the most successful peacebuilding process in history and is committed to taking it to the next level.
Théo Lecarpentier
Project Officer / Europe@School
Théo Lecarpentier was born in France. He obtained two bachelor’s degrees related to sport sciences, during which he spent one year in Norway. He also holds a master’s degree in European Project Management. As part of his programme he interned the UNESCO WWAP Office in Perugia, Italy in which he worked on gender equality and water resources. He considers European Federalism as the most efficient way to tackle the biggest challenge of the humanity: climate change.
He is responsible of the 2020 Work Plan of Europe at School Programme: New Directives and works on the Youth SDGs project.
Alexandra Huber
Administration & Project Officer
Alexandra was born in Munich, Germany, she studied in Germany and Spain and holds a Bachelor degree in Political Sciences & Sociology and a Master degree in Intercultural Studies. Having been involved in the Youth Peace Ambassador’s campaign of the Council of Europe and working for the educational agency of the European Commission made her passionate for European youth politics and active citizenship. Alexandra is working on the administration of JEF and involved in the support of other projects.
Elitsa Hadzhieva
Project Officer / Y-FED & I Choose Europe
Elitsa Hadzhieva comes from Ravda (Bulgaria) and holds a degree in Political Science. She is still finishing her Masters in European Integration and Diplomacy in the EU where she has a focus on Youth policy-making in the EU for her master thesis. During her studies, she completed several internships in local and national governmental institutions like the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bulgaria and the Municipality of Nessebar. Elitsa has been involved in volunteering from the age of 16 and she has been a member of AEGEE for 5 years where she has worked intensively on the European elections campaign of the organisation (Y Vote project) and in raising awareness on the topics of Gender Equality and Mental health (Europe on Track project). She was also employed as a project officer for the project “My Europe. My Say.”
Elitsa has joined the European Secretariat of JEF Europe this February and she is working on the reporting of the “I Choose Europe” project and the implementation of “Y-FED” as projects assistant.
Sean Ellul
Communication Officer
Linnéa Hopp
Project Assistant
Linnéa was born in Hamburg (Germany) and is currently studying Political and Social Sciences in a Franco-German double degree programme. Being passionate about foreign languages and cross-border exchange, Linnéa has been active in the Franco-German Youth Committee since 2018. Believing in the value of history preservation and education, Linnéa has also volunteered at the Shoah Memorial in Paris for one year. An advocate of climate protection and diversity in all its forms, Linnéa is determined to strengthen democracy and solidarity within Europe and beyond.
Linnéa joined the European Secretariat in September 2020 to support different projects (mainly MINDSET and Y-FED) and activities.
Arbitration Board
The Arbitration Board settles statutory conflicts between members, JEF sections and statutory bodies of JEF. Its five members elected by the Congress take their decisions by simple majority. The entire Arbitration Board can be reached on: arbitration(at)jef.eu.
Jacopo Barbati
Miriam Postiglione
Kevin Kristiansen
Camilla Walstad
Abdul Kerim Aydemir
Auditors Committee
The Auditors Committee verifies the accounts of the association at least once a year. It is composed of at least two members and a maximum of three, elected by the Congress. You can contact them at auditors(at)jef.eu.
Emilia Chehtova
Patrick L. von Wildenradt
Marc Sinner