| Consultation: | Federal Committee Belgrade -Spring 2026 |
|---|---|
| Agenda item: | 4 Internal resolutions |
| Proposer: | EB (decided on: 04/02/2026) |
| Status: | Submitted |
| Submitted: | 04/03/2026, 14:46 |
Resolution submitted by: JEF Europe Executive Board
Preamble
JEF Europe's statutory events, the Federal Committee (FC) and the European
Congress, are the organisational backbone of the movement. They depend on the
responsible commitment of hosting sections to be delivered at the level of
quality our members expect. These financial guidelines are established to ensure
that hosting sections contribute meaningfully and reliably to the events they
propose to organise, rather than deferring financial responsibility to JEF
Europe at a late stage.
These guidelines are adopted by the Federal Committee pursuant to Article 22(v)
of the JEF Statutes (Financial Guidelines) and Article 37 (JEF Policies) and
apply to all national sections applying to host any statutory event of JEF
Europe from the date of adoption. They complement, and do not replace, any
existing Rules of Procedure governing the organisation of statutory meetings.
The framework below establishes a three-phase validation pathway with binding
financial milestones, minimum cash and in-kind contribution requirements, and
escalation mechanisms to protect JEF Europe's financial position.
Part I - Definitions
For the purposes of these guidelines:
"Hosting Section" means the national JEF section(s) having been selected
to host a statutory event.
“Candidate Hosting Section” means the national JEF section(s) applying for
the hosting of a statutory event.
"Statutory Event" means a Federal Committee meeting (FC) or the European
Congress (General Assembly) as defined by Articles 14–25 of the JEF
Statutes. These guidelines concern the organisation of in person statutory
events.
“Statutory Event Oversight Team”: A group composed of the Executive Board
contact person of the host section, JEF Europe’s Treasurer, Secretary
General and Membership officer. The composition of this body may be
adjusted where justified by objective circumstances (e.g. sickness, lack
of human resources, important personal reasons etc.), in particular in the
event of the unavailability of one of the two members of the Secretariat.
In such cases, the absent member of the Secretariat shall be replaced by
another member of the Secretariat. Where, for objective reasons, such
participation is not possible and no other members of the Secretariat are
available, additional members of the Executive Board shall be appointed
alongside the Executive Board contact person.
"Total Event Budget" means the aggregate projected cost of the event,
combining expenses borne by JEF Europe, the Hosting Section, and any
third-party funders.
"Section Contribution" means the total value of financial (cash) and non-
financial (in-kind) contributions made by the Hosting Section to the
event.
"In-Kind Contribution" means goods or services provided by the Hosting
Section or sourced by it at no cost to JEF Europe, including, but not
limited to: venue access, volunteer labour, communication materials,
catering through local partnerships, accommodation negotiated at below-
market rates, or sponsored side events.
"Cash Contribution" means direct monetary payments made by the Hosting
Section to the event budget, either directly or through grants secured on
behalf of the event.
"Memorandum of Understanding" means the binding bilateral agreement
between JEF Europe and the Hosting Section signed no later than the end of
Phase 1.
"Solidarity Fund" means the amount of money allocated within the JEF
Europe budget used to cover the travel expenses of a selected number of
delegates to the statutory event who are awarded the solidarity fund
compensation in the guidance provided by the internal resolution “A
solidarity travel fund to support the participation of JEFers to statutory
events”.
Part II - Guiding principles
The following principles govern the financial relationship between JEF Europe
and a Hosting Section:
Shared Responsibility: JEF Europe and the Hosting Section are co-
organisers. Neither party shall be expected to bear the full financial
burden of a statutory event.
Early Commitment: Financial contributions must be committed and validated
well before the event date. Candidacy plans are binding commitments, not
indicative proposals
Transparency: All financial information related to the event must be
shared openly and promptly between the Hosting Section and the JEF Europe
Executive Board and Secretariat.
Proportionality: Minimum contribution thresholds are set in proportion to
the type of event. The European Congress requires higher minimum
contributions than a Federal Committee meeting, reflecting the difference
in scale.
Accountability: Failure to meet financial milestones triggers escalation
procedures up to and including withdrawal of hosting rights by the Federal
Committee.
Part III - Minimum financial contribution requirements
The following minimum section contribution thresholds apply of the overall
budget of the statutory event:
1- Federal Committee Meeting
Minimum Cash Contribution: 15%
Minimum In-Kind Contribution (estimated value): 20%
Minimum Total Section Contribution: 45%
2- European Congress
Minimum Cash Contribution: 20%
Minimum In-Kind Contribution (estimated value): 25%
Minimum Total Section Contribution: 45%
The following categories are eligible for recognition as in-kind contributions,
subject to valuation by the JEF Europe Executive Board, and specifically JEF
Europe’s Treasurer, and Secretariat:
Venue rental waived or discounted through local partnerships (valued at
market rate for comparable venues);
Accommodation negotiated below standard market rate (valued at the
difference between market rate and the negotiated rate, multiplied by the
number of participant-nights);
Catering provided through local sponsors, student associations, or other
partnerships at no cost to the event budget;
Event communications and branding materials (flags, banners, printed
programmes) produced locally at reduced or no cost;
Volunteer coordination provided by the Hosting Section (valued at a
standard rate of 12€/hour per volunteer, up to 100 hours total);
Sponsored side events fully funded by a third party secured by the Hosting
Section with transfer of money to the main budget.
In-kind contributions not listed above may be recognised at the discretion of
the JEF Europe Executive Board and Secretariat, subject to written
justification. Only contributions directly reducing the event's net cost to JEF
Europe shall be recognised. The in-kind contribution of the host section will be
capped at 50% of their total contribution to the event budget. The burden of
demonstrating the contribution will be borne by the host section that will use
dated quotes as a means of justification.
Part IV - Three-Phase Validation Pathway
The hosting process comprises three mandatory phases. Each phase has specific
deliverables, financial milestones, and approval gates. Failure to meet the
requirements of a phase triggers the escalation mechanisms set out in Part V.
PHASE 1 | Application, Preparation & Prerequisites
Phase 1 begins when a section submits its candidacy to host a statutory event.
Under Article 16 of the JEF Statutes, the European Congress meets at least once
per year. Federal Committee meetings take place twice per year, in the spring
and the autumn. Phase 1 ends with the vote selecting the Hosting Section, which
is ordinarily held approximately a year before the event.
A section may only submit a candidacy if the following prerequisites are met at
the time of application:
Prerequisites - All of the following must be satisfied:
The section is in good standing with JEF Europe: membership fees are paid
in full for the current and preceding year (Article 11(c)(iii) of the
Statutes).
The section has submitted its annual membership statement on time for the
preceding year (Article 11(d) of the Statutes).
The section has not hosted a statutory event in the preceding 24 months,
unless no other eligible section has submitted a candidacy.
The section has designated a named Event Coordinator who will be the
primary point of contact for JEF Europe.
The candidacy application must include all of the following. Incomplete
applications will not be put to a vote.
Provisional Event Budget: Full income and expenditure breakdown including:
all expense categories (venue, accommodation, catering, travel,
materials), projected income sources with realistic amounts,
identification of which costs are borne by JEF Europe vs. the Hosting
Section. Must distinguish confirmed vs. projected income.
Venue Confirmation: Written documentation from the proposed main venue,
demonstrating that dates, capacity, and cost have been confirmed.
Acceptable forms include a signed letter of intent, a formal booking
confirmation, a written quote, or a written confirmation that the venue is
provided at no charge or at a reduced rate.
Accommodation Plan: Written documentation of accommodation options with
per-night costs per participant, covering capacity for at least 90
participants (Federal Committee meetings) or 150 participants
(Congresses). Acceptable forms include booking confirmations, letters of
intent, written quotes, or written confirmation of subsidised or no-cost
accommodation. A definitive booking is not required at this stage.
Fundraising Plan: Concrete list of grant sources, institutional donors, or
sponsors to be approached, with realistic amounts and realistic timelines.
Must identify at least one confirmed or highly probable funding source.
In-Kind Contribution Inventory: Preliminary list of in-kind contributions
the section intends to provide, with estimated values and the means by
which they will be secured.
Risk Register: Identification of at least three financial risks (e.g.
grant rejection, lower participation, cost overruns) and corresponding
mitigation measures.
Section Financial Statement: Most recent annual accounts or financial
summary of the Hosting Section, confirming the section's financial
capacity to underwrite short-term event costs.
The statutory event oversight team shall review all candidacy applications and
present a written assessment to the Federal Committee or the European Congress
prior to the vote. The assessment shall include:
Evaluation of the feasibility and credibility of the proposed budget;
Identification of any gaps between projected income and projected
expenditure;
Within 30 days of the vote confirming the Hosting Section, JEF Europe and the
Hosting Section shall sign a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding. The
Memorandum of Understanding shall set out:
The agreed minimum cash contribution of the Hosting Section;
The agreed minimum in-kind contribution and the method of valuation;
The Phase 2 financial milestone (see Article 11);
The Phase 3 financial milestone (see Article 14);
The escalation procedure in the event of non-compliance (see Article 18);
The reporting schedule and the identity of the Event Coordinator.
The Memorandum of Understanding is binding on both parties. It may be amended by
mutual written agreement of JEF Europe and the Hosting Section.
PHASE 2 | Post-Selection Fundraising & seven-month Milestone
Phase 2 covers the period from the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding to
six months prior to the event date. During this phase, the primary
responsibility of the Hosting Section is to activate its fundraising plan,
confirm income sources, and demonstrate that the event budget is on track. At
this stage the Statutory event oversight team and the hosting section
representatives have monthly meetings to update on the progress of the
fundraising plan.
No later than seven months before the event date, the Hosting Section must
demonstrate that the following milestone has been reached:
Phase 2 - Seven-Month Milestone Requirements:
At least 50% of the Hosting Section's total agreed Section Contribution is
confirmed (either received, or covered by a signed grant decision or
formal commitment letter from a funder);
Venue availability is confirmed in writing, either through a signed
contract, a conditional booking, or a letter of intent pending final
financial confirmation;
Accommodation covering at least 80% of expected participants is confirmed
to be available with suppliers, or documented through signed letters of
intent or written quotes with held availability;
A revised budget is submitted to JEF Europe, updated to reflect confirmed
income and any cost changes;
A written report on the status of all fundraising activities, including
applications submitted, decisions received, and applications pending.
The section should have a specific attention for the cashflow and its
consequences for the organisation of the event.
During Phase 2, the Hosting Section shall submit a brief financial status report
to the JEF Europe Treasurer every three months, covering:
Income confirmed to date (with evidence);
Expenditure committed or incurred to date;
Outstanding fundraising applications and expected decisions;
Any changes to the event programme or costs.
PHASE 3 | In-Depth Preparation, Production & Additional Contributions
Phase 3 covers the six months immediately preceding the event. This is the
period of intensive operational preparation. The focus shifts from fundraising
to event production, additional in-kind mobilisation, and closing any remaining
budget gaps. JEF Europe assumes a greater coordinating role during this phase,
while the Hosting Section intensifies its local operational effort. At this
stage the Statutory event oversight team and the hosting section representatives
have bi-monthly meetings to update on the progress of the operations.
No later than three months before the event date, the Hosting Section must
demonstrate that the following milestone has been reached:
Phase 3 - Three-Month Milestone Requirements:
100% of the Hosting Section's agreed cash contribution is confirmed
(received or covered by signed commitment);
At least 75% of the total estimated in-kind contribution is confirmed,
with written evidence for each item;
The volunteer team is confirmed (minimum 5 local volunteers for an FC;
minimum 10 for a Congress).
During Phase 3, Hosting Sections are expected to make a final effort to increase
the event's non-JEF Europe income by securing additional in-kind contributions
or sponsored side events. Examples of eligible additional contributions include:
Printed delegate materials (badges, programmes, tote bags) provided by a
local sponsor;
Local transport coordination or shuttle services provided at no cost;
Professional photography or videography services provided pro bono;
Additional catering sponsored by local businesses (breakfasts, coffee
breaks, receptions).
The Hosting Section shall notify the JEF Europe Treasurer of all additional
contributions as they are secured. These contributions shall be added to the in-
kind register and may be used to offset any shortfall against the minimum in-
kind contribution threshold.
During Phase 3, the Hosting Section is responsible for the following operational
deliverables, in coordination with JEF Europe Secretariat:
Local venue management: liaison with venue staff, setup of rooms for
plenary and working group sessions, technical equipment (microphones,
projectors, Wi-Fi);
Accommodation management: check-in coordination, resolution of booking
issues, communication of logistics to participants;
Catering coordination: delivery of meals and coffee breaks as per the
agreed plan; communication of dietary requirements to caterers;
Local transport and accessibility: provision of clear transport
information to participants; assistance with special accessibility needs;
Volunteer coordination: briefing, scheduling, and supervision of local
volunteers;
Communications support: local social media coverage, photography, and
post-event content in coordination with JEF Europe Comms team.
Within 45 days after the event, the Hosting Section shall submit a final
financial report to the JEF Europe Treasurer including:
All actual income received, broken down by source;
All actual expenditure incurred, with receipts;
Final reconciliation of all in-kind contributions with evidence of
delivery;
Transfer of any surplus held by the Hosting Section to JEF Europe, or
documentation of any final payments owed by JEF Europe.
In the case of a deficit of contribution, a plan for settlement will be
drawn up between JEF Europe and the hosting section to reach the expected
contribution. Unless otherwise agreed under article 20.
JEF Europe will issue a final settlement statement within 45 days of receiving
the complete report. Any amount owed by either party shall be settled within 60
days of the statement, unless agreed otherwise bilaterally.
Part V - Escalation and Enforcement
The following situations trigger escalation procedures:
Level 1
(a) Situation: Failure to submit the Phase 2 seven-month milestone report on
time, or the report reveals less than 30% of the Section Contribution confirmed.
(b) Consequence: JEF Europe Executive Board issues a formal written warning. The
hosting section has 14 days to provide a remediation plan. Failure to submit the
remediation plan within 14 days automatically triggers Level 2.
Level 2
(a ) Situation: At the six-month mark, the statutory event oversight team’s
viability assessment concludes that the event cannot proceed as planned; or the
venue has not been confirmed in any form; or less than 50% of the Section
Contribution is confirmed with no credible recovery path.
(b) Consequence: The Executive Board must, no later than six months before the
event, convene an exceptional Federal Committee meeting or add the matter to the
agenda of the next scheduled Federal Committee meeting, at which the Federal
Committee shall vote on whether to relocate the event to an alternative host or
move it to an online format.
Level 3
(a ) Situation: Phase 3 three-month milestone not met, or less than 75% of the
cash contribution confirmed at the three-month mark.
(b) Consequence:The Executive Board convenes an emergency review. The Board may
vote to provide an emergency bridge contribution from JEF Europe reserves or
require the hosting section to secure additional funding within a defined
deadline.
Level 4
(a ) Situation: Six weeks before the event, the event budget shows a deficit
exceeding 15% of the total event budget with no credible mitigation plan.
(b) Consequence:The Executive Board convenes a final emergency review. The Board
may vote to scale down the event programme or, as a last resort, draw on JEF
Europe's reserves.
Part VI - Safeguards
In the case of a lack of candidacy for the hosting of statutory events JEF
Europe can organise a statutory event in an online format.
In the case of a candidating section not being able to fulfill all the
requirements, a bilateral agreement can be found between JEF Europe
represented by the EB and the candidating section to bypass one of the
rules set out in the present document.
The foreseen needed exception will have to be notified to JEF Europe as
soon as possible in the process and ideally already signaled during the
application process in front of the FC (Phase 1).
