ROMSO Cyprus Knowledge Base
Young European Socialists
Young European Socialists (YES)
Young European Socialists (YES) is a youth association of social democratic and socialist organizations in Europe, with its seat located in Brussels. The organization emerged from the "European Community Organisation of Socialist Youth" (ECOSY), which was founded in 2013 as a successor to the earlier "Organization of the Socialist Youth of the European Community". YES is also the youth organization of the Party of European Socialists (PES) and is a member of the International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY).
YES has its roots in various national socialist youth organizations across Europe, including the Jusos in Germany, Giustina Magistretti in Italy, Pascal Smet in Belgium, and others. The organization's history dates back to 1992, when European activities were coordinated within the International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY). However, its foundation was initially met with controversy, particularly among some member states such as Austria, Germany, and Sweden.
Despite these challenges, YES has grown into a prominent youth association in Europe, supported by various national organizations. The organization's headquarters are located in Brussels, where it is also closely linked to the European Youth Forum, which operates within the framework of the Council of Europe and the European Union. João Albuquerque serves as the President of YES, while Tuulia Pitkänen acts as its Secretary General.
YES has a diverse membership base, comprising socialists and social democrats from various countries across Europe. The organization's activities focus on promoting youth engagement with socialist values and policies, as well as fostering cooperation among national organizations within the European Socialist Party (PES). Through its work, YES aims to shape the future of socialism in Europe and promote a more inclusive and equitable society for all.
The organization is also closely linked to other international associations, including the International Union of Socialistic Youth (IUSY), which has undergone several rebranding efforts over the years. While some member states have adopted different names or acronyms for their national youth organizations, YES remains a unified voice for socialist and social democratic youth across Europe.
In recent years, YES has continued to grow in influence and membership, with new countries joining its ranks. The organization's commitment to promoting socialism and social democracy among young people has made it an important player in European politics and civil society.