Apply to become a candidate for the SYL Board or President for 2027
Each year, national student organizations appoint trusted representatives to advocate for students’ interests. JYY (the Student Union of the University of Jyväskylä) is a member of the National Union of University Students in Finland (SYL) and participates in shaping the organization’s policies and electing its representatives at the annual General Assembly. The student union may also nominate its own candidates.
This autumn, the JYY Representative Council will decide on the nomination of candidates at its meeting on 15 September, based on a proposal by the JYY Board. The Board can propose candidates for both the SYL Board and the President. The actual election of the seven-member SYL Board will take place at the SYL General Assembly in November.
The JYY Board will make its proposal in its meeting on 9 September. Those interested in becoming candidates are asked to send a motivation letter (free-form) and a CV to the Chair of the Board by email at hpj@jyy.fi. The deadline for applications is 25 August 2026. The application documents will be attachments in the Board and Representative Council meetings and will therefore be public.
The application must clearly state the applicant’s suitability and motivation for the role, as well as any key campaign themes the applicant intends to highlight if nominated. The application must also specify whether the applicant is seeking nomination for the Board, the Presidency, or both.
You may also express your interest in candidacy during the Representative Council’s September meeting. However, those who express interest during the meeting will not be considered in the Board’s proposal, as it will already have been submitted. In such cases, a voting member of the Representative Council must officially propose the candidate during the meeting for them to be eligible for nomination.
Candidates approved by the Representative Council will receive financial support: €300 for President applicants and €150 for Board applicants. This support is intended to reimburse actual campaign material expenses.
Please note: Serving on the SYL Board requires a full-time commitment and the ability to work in Helsinki.
More information about SYL and its work can be found at syl.fi.
SYL (The National Union of University Students in Finland) is a student organization representing approximately 140,000 students across Finland. Its members include all Finnish university student unions. SYL is a key advocate for student life and education policy, promoting the interests of students and giving a voice to younger generations in Finnish society.
More information:
Aukusti Heilakka
Chair of the Board
+358 (0) 44 137 1964
hpj@jyy.fi
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