Building Tomorrow: Reflections from Graz
The European Young Innovators Festival (EYIF) in Graz wasn't another bland, LinkedIn fodder tech event. With a vibrant mix of young minds from across the globe, the festival provided a unique platform to share ideas, forge connections, and co-create sustainable solutions. Through the reflections of some of the WSA Youth Ambassadors who attended, we delve into what made this event so special.
Philippine LECLERC, WSA Youth Ambassador
Last month I had the chance to participate in the EYI Festival in Graz. And I truly want to emphasize the word “chance”.
How often do you get the opportunity to meet people your age, working in the same field, sharing the same values, and genuinely caring about getting to know you? From my experience, not that often. And yet, this is exactly what WSA offered us: a time and place to connect and build a sustainable future together.
A festival dedicated to youth has a unique dynamic. There are no barriers between attendees based on age, roles, or professional backgrounds; we all sit at the same table. This is a tech event where we exchange Instagrams before Linkedin profiles and where everyone is an active participant. It’s a conference where you can easily relate to the speakers on stage because they’re not much older than you. They address topics that are part of your daily-life and work concerns. Together, you work side by side, reflecting on issues that directly impact you and your communities.
A human-centric tech event, this is exactly what EYIF was.
One of the most impactful moments for me was participating in a fishbowl about Women in Tech. This topic is very close to my heart and I was thrilled to have a say in the debate. Even now, I’m left questioning gender roles in the workplace, how systemic patriarchy has shaped our approach to entrepreneurship and how we can collectively reframe these systems to create more equitable opportunities. I’m also very grateful to have been invited to reflect collectively about what Europeans values are, and how I can protect them. Freedom of movement, freedom of speech, diversity, democracy, rule of law. Staying curious. Voting. Getting involved… We often forget how privileged we are to live in the EU. This exercise was a gentle reminder that we are responsible for the safety of our EU. Being intellectually challenged like this felt good! And finally, I’m so happy to have witnessed the Young Europeans Innovators and the Univation Students pitch. Their passion and creativity reminded me how powerful youth-driven solutions can be. Judging both competitions was deeply humbling, they were just so incredible.
Now that I'm back home, I’m actively seeking ways to keep this momentum going and I’m also wondering how I can give back to WSA for these magic moments they offered us. Staying connected with my fellow Young Ambassadors is one way I plan to do this. I’m confident that together, we can translate WSA’s vision into meaningful actions within our own communities.
Marko Paloski, WSA Youth Ambassador
It was my first time participating in the WSA European Young Innovators Festival in Graz, and it was an amazing experience. It is a great place to meet and engage with the WSA community, everyone was so open, positive, and ready to make new connections and maybe even an innovation. It was filled with young people from almost all parts of the world to share ideas, enthusiasm, challenges, and solutions on different topics but with one goal - to change the world with digital and sustainable innovations. I met many young and more experienced minds, and I also met a lot of Macedonian participants, which turned out to be a fruitful experience and plan for some activities in our community back home. The best part was the pitch competition, where as part of the jury team it was not easy to select the two best Champions, because all of those innovations play a significant role in each of the communities that they serve, and all of them are innovating the way we live, work and think. The program was very good and packed, it had enough time for discussion and Q&A and was very in line with the trends that are currently happening in the digital and entrepreneurship world.
Overall, the whole experience was more than amazing! I did not expect that, but the community plays a very big role in bringing the whole experience to the next level. I would be very happy if I would be able to join the festival again next year!
Kudos to the whole organizing team of WSA, for making one of the best events this year!
The EYI Festival in Graz was a testament to the power of youth-driven innovation and collaboration. For the youth ambassadors, it was more than an event; it was a call to action, a space to challenge norms, and an opportunity to build a better future together. Their shared experiences underscore the importance of fostering such inclusive and impactful platforms. As they return to their communities, they carry with them the festival’s vision, ready to inspire change and keep the momentum alive.
