We are seeing a growth in the number of organisations supporting young ENT surgeons. Young CEORL-HNS is a thriving and expanding group.
The Young Confederation of European ORL-HNS (Y-CEORL) was created with a simple idea in mind: to give young ENT specialists a place to connect, learn and build projects together. In just a couple of years, what started as a small group has grown into a structured and active network that brings together hundreds of early-career colleagues from across Europe and beyond.
As of October 2025, nearly 800 applications have been received. This steady growth reflects something clear to all of us in the early stages of our careers: structured opportunities to collaborate and learn internationally are both needed and welcomed.
3rd CEORL-HNS Academy course in Dubrovnik, April 2025.
The backbone of the group is its four subspecialty working groups: rhinology and facial plastics, head and neck and laryngology, otology and skull base, and paediatrics. These groups are led by young ENTs and have quickly become hubs for new ideas. Several research projects were proposed directly by subgroup members, developed collaboratively and published in leading ENT journals. Beyond the scientific output, what really stands out is the way members have worked together – sharing ideas, pushing projects forward and building professional relationships that go beyond individual institutions.
Membership in the Young Confederation is free and open to early-career otorhinolaryngologists. Members get regular updates on ongoing projects, calls for research participation, educational opportunities and networking events. The goal is to make it easy for anyone who wants to get involved in the European ENT community to do so, without unnecessary barriers.
"What really stands out is the way members have worked together – sharing ideas, pushing projects forward and building professional relationships that go beyond individual institutions"
One of the most appreciated activities so far has been the regular webinar programme. We hold about four webinars per year, each focusing on a different topic and involving experts from various subspecialties. Recent sessions have covered insights into tonsillectomy and tonsillotomy in paediatric OSA, facial nerve, and charity in ENT – each gathering hundreds of participants. These webinars have become an easy and accessible way to stay up to date, ask questions directly to experts and connect with colleagues from different countries. The next sessions will focus on salivary gland cancer management, non-melanoma cutaneous malignancies and functional rhinology. Importantly, many topics come directly from member suggestions.
A highlight of the past year was the launch of the Young Confederation’s first independent dissection course. The course ran over six days and was structured into three modules: head and neck, rhinology, and otology. All 60 available spots were filled. For many participants, it was one of the first chances to train on real anatomy with experienced faculty, in an environment designed specifically for young surgeons. The combination of cadaveric dissection, video integration and structured teaching made the experience both practical and engaging. Based on the positive feedback, we’re already working on repeating and expanding the course, possibly with more modules and even broader access.
Another important step forward has been our collaboration with the CEORL-HNS Academy. Thanks to this partnership, young members have been able to take part in high-level European training programmes, join focused lectures and discuss real clinical cases with experts from different countries.
Our presence at the CEORL-HNS Congress has also grown steadily. Young members are now more involved, not only as participants but as contributors to the scientific programme, submitting abstracts, helping to organise sessions and moderating discussions. This integration into the congress structure is a sign that young voices are increasingly being heard and valued in the broader European ENT community.
Executive board of Y-CEORL group, Dublin 2024.
Staying connected between events is equally important. That’s why we’ve invested time and energy into communication through social media, as well as through the official website. Small things, like interactive quizzes and quick surveys, help maintain that sense of community all year round.
Looking back at the last two years, what stands out isn’t just the number of activities, but how much has come from young members themselves. The Young Confederation has grown into a platform where ideas can turn into real projects and where early-career ENTs can find peers, mentors and opportunities to grow. We’re still building, and there’s plenty of work ahead, but we believe this is the kind of community that can make a real difference in shaping the future of our specialty.
We are deeply grateful to the CEORL-HNS Society, whose unwavering support has made it possible to develop and bring to life every project promoted by the Young Confederation.
Declaration of competing interests: None declared.
