Action 1 supports the following sub-Actions:

Sub-Action 1.1 - Youth Exchanges

Youth Exchanges offer an opportunity for groups of young people from different countries to meet and learn about each other’s cultures. The groups plan together their Youth Exchange around a theme of mutual interest.

Sub-Action 1.2 - Youth Initiatives

Youth Initiatives support group projects designed at local, regional and national level. They also support the networking of similar projects between different countries, in order to strengthen their European aspect and to enhance cooperation and exchanges of experiences between young people.

Sub-Action 1.3 - Youth Democracy Projects

Youth Democracy Projects support young people's participation in the democratic life of their local, regional or national community, and at international level.

In addition, there is also the possibility of a Multi-Measure project.

More information about Youth for Europe can be obtained from the official Youth in Action Programme Guide.

The European Voluntary Service enables young people to carry out voluntary service for up to 12 months in a country other than their country of residence. It fosters solidarity among young people and is a true ‘learning service’. Beyond benefiting local communities, volunteers learn new skills and languages, and discover other cultures. Non-formal learning principles and practice are reflected throughout the project.

Objective

An EVS project can focus on a variety of themes and areas, such as culture, youth, sports, social care, cultural heritage, arts, civil protection, environment, development cooperation, etc. High-risk interventions in immediate post-crisis situations (e.g. humanitarian aid, immediate disaster relief, etc.) are excluded.

The EVS Charter

The EVS Charter is part of the Youth in Action Programme Guide and highlights the roles of each promoter in an EVS project, as well as the main principles and quality standards of EVS. Each EVS promoter must adhere to the provisions set out in this Charter.

Promoters decide together - in line with this Charter - how to share tasks and responsibilities and the grant of the EVS Project. These divisions are formalised through an EVS Agreement between promoters.

For more information on the EVS Charter and the EVS Agreement, please consult section 'What else should you know about EVS?' under this Action.

Objectives

The purpose of this sub-Action is to develop mutual understanding between peoples in a spirit of openness, while also contributing to the development of quality systems that support the activities of young people in the countries concerned. It supports activities designed to network and enhance the capacity of NGOs in the youth field, recognising the important role that they can play in the development of civil society in the neighbouring countries. It covers the training of those active in youth work and youth organisations, and exchanges of experience, expertise and good practices between them. It supports activities which may lead to the establishment of long-lasting, high quality projects and partnerships.

The sub-Action supports two types of projects, described in two different sections:

• Youth Exchanges with Neighbouring Partner Countries
• Training and Networking with Neighbouring Partner Countries.

The sections 'What else should you know about a project in cooperation with Neighbouring Partner Countries?', 'Overview of application procedures' and 'How to develop a good project?' apply to both types of projects listed above. Read more...

Objectives

This sub-Action supports the training of those active in youth work and youth organisations in this field, in particular project leaders, youth advisers and supervisors in these projects. It also supports the exchange of experiences, expertise and good practice between those active in youth work and youth organisations, as well as activities which may lead to the establishment of long-lasting, high quality projects, partnerships and networks.

What is a Training and Networking Project?

A Training and Networking project can be of two types:

• a project promoting exchanges, cooperation and training in the field of youth work. It will be developed with a view to implementing an Activity which supports capacity-building and innovation among promoters, as well as the exchange of experience, expertise and good practice among those who are involved in youth work
• a project leading to the development of further projects under the Youth in Action Programme. It will be developed with a view to implementing an Activity which helps all potential promoters to prepare and develop new projects under the Youth in Action Programme, notably by ensuring support and know-how for the development of the projects; support for partner-finding; tools and means to improve the quality of the projects.

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Action 5 of the Youth in Action Programme aims to contribute to the promotion of European cooperation in the youth field. The European Commission is therefore encouraging cooperation in the following areas:

• exchange of good practice and cooperation between administrations and policymakers
• structured dialogue between policymakers and young people
• improving knowledge and understanding of youth
• contributing to the cooperation with international organisations in the field of youth.

 

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