Hello everyone, my name is Valentina. Welcome to my GoFundMe page!

I am thrilled and deeply honoured to share that I have been selected to attend the European Youth Event (EYE) 2025, taking place at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, from the 12th to the 14th of June. This incredible event brings together thousands of young changemakers from across Europe to exchange ideas, engage directly with Members of the European Parliament, and contribute to shaping the future of our continent through meaningful dialogue, innovative solutions, and collective action.

For me, as someone who has been immersed in the values of peace, unity, dialogue, equality, and shared learning throughout my life – values that lie at the heart of the European project and have profoundly influenced me growing up here in the UK – this feels like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Despite the complexities of Brexit, my belief in the power of cross-cultural exchange and the vital importance of European cooperation has only grown stronger.

For over ten years, I have been deeply committed to community activism and youth engagement through my work with the wonderful EchoVibe HUB. During my time there, I've had the privilege of leading impactful projects such as the "About Mental Health and Wellbeing" initiative, providing crucial support to young people through outreach, and co-leading the "CyberSafe Families" project. Moreover, my passion for heritage and intercultural understanding led me to lead and coordinate the "Threads of Tradition: Exploring Romanian Heritage Clothing," which involved two events showcasing the richness of Romanian heritage and fostering dialogue between different cultures. These experiences ignited my passion for empowering young voices and fostering active citizenship.

My academic journey, from a strong interest in Citizenship and active involvement in student representation during my early education to my in-depth studies in Criminology, Sociology, and Security and Crime Science at university, has further equipped me with a strong understanding of societal challenges and the importance of engaging in informed and constructive dialogue.

At EYE 2025, I am particularly keen to participate in discussions and debates within the following programmes:

I see my participation in EYE 2025 as not only an invaluable opportunity for personal and professional growth but also as a vital chance to represent the perspectives of young people from both the UK and the EU in meaningful conversations at a time when building bridges and fostering understanding across borders is more important than ever.

While the European Parliament generously covers the costs of the event programme itself, I am now facing the financial hurdle of £600 to cover essential travel to and from Strasbourg, accommodation during the event, and basic subsistence. This is the only obstacle standing between me and this incredible opportunity to attend, actively participate, and bring back valuable insights and ideas to the young people, families, and communities I am dedicated to serving here in the UK.

This is where I humbly ask for your kind support. Your generous donation, no matter how small, will directly help make it possible for me to attend EYE 2025, fully engage in these crucial discussions, and ensure that the voices of young people from the UK are heard on this important European platform.

Every contribution will make a tangible difference and will be deeply appreciated. If you are unable to donate at this time, please consider sharing this page with your network – your encouragement and belief in youth representation and international cooperation mean the world to me.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kindness, encouragement, and belief in the power of young people to shape a better future for Europe and beyond!