“YOUTH in ACTION” Programme: Opportunities for cooperation with Eastern Europe and Caucasus

“Youth in Action” – it is a new European Commission youth programme, that derives from previous Youth for Europe and Youth Programmes, and will be realized between 2007-2013. Its overall budget is 885,000,000 euro.

The “Youth in Action” Programme makes an important contribution to the acquisition of competences and is therefore a key instrument in providing young people with opportunities for non-formal and informal learning with a European dimension.

The general objectives stated in the legal basis of the Youth in Action Programme are the following:

* Promote young people’s active citizenship in general and their European citizenship in particular;

* Develop solidarity and promote tolerance among young people, in particular in order to foster social cohesion in the European Union;

* Foster mutual understanding between young people in different countries;

* Contribute to developing the quality of support systems for youth activities and the capabilities of civil society organisations in the youth field;

* Promote European cooperation in the youth field.

Priorities of the Youth in Action Programme:

* European citizenship - Making young people aware that they are European citizens. The objective is to encourage young people to reflect upon European topics including European citizenship.

* Participation of young people - The overall objective for participation is to encourage young people to be active citizens: a) to increase the participation by young people in the civic life of their community; b) to increase participation by young people in the system of representative democracy; c) greater support for various forms of learning to participate.

* Cultural Diversity - The respect for cultural diversity together with the fight against racism and xenophobia. By facilitating joint activities of young people from different cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds, the Programme aims to develop the intercultural learning of young people.

* Inclusion of young people with fewer opportunities - Youth groups and organisations should take appropriate measures to avoid exclusion of specific target groups. The Youth in Action Programme is a Programme for all, and efforts should be made to include young people with special needs.

Who can take part?

Programme Countries:

* 27 European Union

* European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries: Island, Lichtenstein, Norway

* Candidate for accession to the European Union: Turkey

Neighbouring Partner Countries:

* Eastern Europe and Caucasus countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Russian Federation, Ukraine

* South East Europe

* Mediterranean Partner Countries

Other Partner Countries of the World (only within Action 3.2)

Partner Countries from Eastern Europe and Caucasus can cooperate with Programme and Neighbouring Partner countries from other 2 regions (but the priority is given to the regional cooperation)

More detailed information about the Programme “Youth in Action”:

European Commission: http://ec.europa.eu/youth/yia/index_en.html

EAC Executive Agency: http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/youth/index_en.htm

Cooperation within the “Youth in Action” Programme with Eastern Europe and Caucasus (EECA)

Aims of cooperation with Eastern Europe and Caucasus:

* To contribute to the peace and stability through dialogue, tolerance and solidarity among young people;

* To support the long-lasting and trustful partnerships;

* To exchange views on youth policy and youth work practices between non-governmental organizations and governmental institutions of European Commission and Eastern Europe and Caucasus countries;

* To develop the voluntary sector and civil society in Eastern Europe and Caucasus;

* To let young people understand better their current situation and culture.

Three kinds of activities available for cooperation between Programme and Eastern Europe and Caucasus countries:

* European Voluntary Service (action 2) - supports young people's participation in various forms of voluntary activities.

* Youth Exchanges (action 3.1) - offers an opportunity for groups of young people from different countries to meet and learn about each other’s cultures.

* Training and networking (action 3.1) - supports the training of those active in youth work and youth organisations, in particular the exchange of experiences, expertise and good practice between them as well as activities which may lead to long-lasting quality projects and partnerships and networks.

How to apply?

Project applications may be submitted only by partner organizations located in Programme Country to its National Agency of the “Youth in Action” Programme in the name of all partners.

Deadline for applications:

* 1 February

* 1 April

* 1 June

* 1 September

* 1 November

Project may start not earlier that 3 months after application deadline.

Information about cooperation between Programme and Eastern Europe and Caucasus countries within “Youth in Action” Programme is available on SALTO EECA Resource Centre web-pages: http://www.salto-youth.net/eecacooperation

www: http://www.salto-youth.net/eeca

Contact SALTO EECA Resource Centre: https://www.salto-eeca.eu

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