European Young Engineers – Networking, Knowledge and now, IChemE

Laura Grindey explains how European Young Engineers (EYE) is shaping engineering and fostering connections, and why IChemE finds itself at the heart of it

IN MAY 2024, representatives from IChemE delivered a compelling presentation at the 52nd European Young Engineers (EYE) Conference in Limerick. As a result, IChemE was elected as a council member, thereby becoming one of the 33 national engineering associations that constitute the European Young Engineers Council.

What is European Young Engineers?

European Young Engineers (EYE) is the largest international non-profit representing young, multidisciplinary engineers across Europe. Comprising students, academics, and professionals, EYE unites engineering associations across 22 countries to provide a collective voice for engineers. Under the strategic guidance of the EYE council, the EYE management team oversees the organisation’s daily operations, including the coordination of conferences, representation at political events, and the execution of hackathons.

EYE is currently expanding, with the goal of representing young engineers from all European Higher Education Area (EHEA) countries by 2030 and ensuring equitable access to conferences. Additionally, EYE is forging connections beyond engineering and the EHEA, partnering with youth-led organisations and international engineering groups as part of a Global Associate Programme.

For me, this was the most important reason for joining EYE. I wanted to understand how engineering practices differed and how they were similar across Europe. I was curious to see what tools and systems others used in their work and learn about others’ experiences. Being involved in EYE has allowed me to network with people from Portugal across to Georgia and lots of people in between.

What we do

Our biannual conferences, such as the October 2024 edition in Luxembourg, are vibrant gatherings that unite individuals from diverse backgrounds around shared goals. The conferences involve professional workshops, talks, and site visits as well as cultural experiences and social engagements. At the recent North Macedonia Conference hosted by the Engineering Institute of Macedonia, the opening ceremony was hosted in the Presidential Palace and all conference members had the opportunity to meet the president who even delivered the conference’s opening ceremony speech.

EYE’s mission has expanded to include increased political representation. EYE advocates for young engineers and engineering students by engaging with the EU Commission and the United Nations on issues impacting the profession. Our efforts have led to notable achievements, including observer status at United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (NFCCC) conferences and representation at COP28 in Dubai and SB60 in Bonn.

EYE’s influence extends globally, with recent engagements involving heads of state and leading global entities. It offers a powerful platform for engineers across Europe and our international partners beyond the continent to make a meaningful impact on their careers, community, and continent.