Academic freedom is the basis for reliable, trustworthy research and education, and is a crucial core principle also for early and mid-career researchers. As a follow-up of the meeting of the European Network of Young Academies (ENYAs) in May 2023, where YAE was represented by Anna Kuppuswamy (Selection Committee, Vice-Chair), the YAE signed the Stockholm Charter on Academic Freedom which has been launched on 24 January 2024.