Youth

What is Youthpass? Who can obtain it; Who provides it; Can I get this certificate after participating in a project?

Every person who has taken part in a Youth in Action project under Action 1.1, Action 2, and Action 4.3 (Training Courses) is entitled to receive a Youthpass certificate, which describes and validates the non-formal and informal learning experience acquired during the project.

All Youthpass certificates have a common structure, a coherent layout, and contain the following information:

Through Youthpass, the European Commission ensures that participation in the Programme is recognized as an educational experience and a period of non-formal learning and informal learning. This document can be of great benefit for the future educational or professional pathway of the participant.

Each beneficiary of a Youth in Action grant under the Actions concerned is responsible for:

Informing all participants involved in the project that they are entitled to receive a Youthpass certificate issuing such certificates to all participants who request one.

These obligations are specified in the model of grant agreement between the beneficiary and the relevant National or Executive Agency.

Beneficiaries can issue Youthpass certificates by accessing www.youthpass.eu which is an integral part of the Commission's website on the recognition of non-formal learning in the youth field (www.youthandrecognition.eu).

We are a group of friends that go to the second form of High School. Can you participate in a “Youth in Action” project?

All young people aged 13- 30 years old, organizations of young people which are legally established in one of the Programme or partner countries and bodies involved in youth issues on the European level (ENGO) having branches in at least 8 Programme countries. The Programme addresses non-governmental organizations or clubs of young people legally based in a Programme country, logal, regional or national public bodies active in the field of youth and to informal groups of young people.

Can a coordinating organization submit more than two applications within the same round of applications?

Yes. A coordinating organization is free to choose the number of project he will apply for. However, since the Programme now offers the chance of combining actions within the same project, through Actions 1.2 and 4.3, it is advisable to follow this tactic.

The Project duration refers to those dates during which the main activities of the project take place, while the Project planning refers to the dates covering the preparations made for the projects up to the evaluation of the project.

We are an informal group of young people who wish to apply to the Programme. Unfortunately, we cannot find any other funding resources. Does the Youth in Action Programme fund the total amount of a project’s expenses?

No. Besides Action 2, the Youth in Action Programme is cofounded. For more information on this issue please consult the Programme Guide.

If an application is approved by the National Agency, how is the funding conducted?

The funding is made in two installments. After signing both parties have signed the Agreement the beneficiary receives 80% of the approved amount and the 20% is given after the NA receives and evaluates the final report. In case the first installment (which equals the 80% of the approved amount of funding) is more than €25.000, the funding method changes. The beneficiary receives 40% of the amount after both parties have signed the Agreement. A second installment, which equals the 30%, is made during the period of the project’s implementation and after the beneficiary submits the midterm evaluation report. The last 30% of the amount is granted to the beneficiary after he submits the Final Report and its evaluation by the NA.

Apart from the European Voluntary Service which foresees a specific insurance policy (please see Part B, Action 2 of the Programme Guide), the Youth in Action Programme does not define a unique format of insurance, nor does it recommend specific insurance companies. The Programme leaves it up to project promoters to seek the most suitable insurance policy according to the type of project carried out and to the insurance formats available at national level.

We are a group of 20 young people. We want to submit an application for this Action but we do not know who should assume the responsibility of submitting the application. What are the steps we should take?

In the case of an informal group of young people, one of its members should assume the role of its representative, of submitting the application to the National Agency and of signing the contract on the behalf of the informal group.

The Guide talks of an Advance Planning Meeting (APV). What is this? Is it compulsory for all Exchange projects?

An Advance Planning Meeting (APV) is the meeting which takes place during the planning phase of the project or during the preliminary phase of planning a project. The meeting’s goal is to ensure that all the necessary requirements are taken into consideration in order to guarantee the successful development of the project. The APV is not compulsory. In case an APV is included in an exchange project, the duration of the APV should not be more than 2 days (travel days excluded), it should be monitored by a participant per group and a daily programme of the APV should be annexed to the application form.

We would like to implement an exchange programme and we are looking for partners abroad. Where can we get help?

You can submit your written request in English and send it by email to Eurodesk where you will mention the contact information of your group, the number of the countries you wish to cooperate with, which countries you wish to cooperate with, the age of your group’s members, the topic you wish to focus on and the period you wish to carry out the exchange.

Can we submit an application for the second part of the Exchange within the same round of applications?

No. In order to submit a proposal for the second part of the Exchange, the first part has to be completed first and the Final Report has to be submitted by the applicant and evaluated by the National Agency.

Participants of Youth Exchange projects must be aged 13-25 and legally reside in of the Programme Countries. In some cases where the participation in the project of a small number of young people aged 25-30 is justified, the application is accepted.

Participating in a festival or organizing a festival is not considered as activities included in Youth Initiatives. Youth Initiatives support innovative projects which do not take place within the framework of already existing structures. Moreover, they should not have a competitive character.

Projects which have a competitive character do not fall within any Action of the “Youth in Action” Programme.

Beneficiaries must come from at least 2 different Programme countries, one of which must be a member of the European Union. The minimum number of beneficiaries in a project is two per country. All the beneficiaries must be independent.

Is each promoter required to submit his own application to the National Agency?

The promoter hosting the Activity - or one of the promoters hosting part of the Activity - assumes the role of coordinator and applies to the relevant Agency for the whole project on behalf of all promoters.
A promoter wishing to apply must be legally established in its country.

In the case of an informal group, one of the members of the group assumes the role of representative and takes the responsibility of submitting the application (to its National Agency) and signing the grant agreement on behalf of the group.

Can I offer my services as a volunteer of EVS to emergency crises (humanitarian aid to war zones)?

No. High-risk interventions in immediate post-crisis situations (e.g. humanitarian aid, immediate disaster relief, etc.) are excluded.

Young people aged 18 to 30 can participate in an EVS project, who are legally residents of a Programme or Partner country. In the case of young people with fewer opportunities the minimum age limit is 16 years old.

There is only one CO per EVS project, regardless of the number of EVS Activities and promoters foreseen in the project.. The CO doesn't necessarily have to be a Sending Organization (SO) or Hosting Organization (HO) in the project (although it may be). In EVS projects involving only one volunteer, either the SO or the HO acts as CO.

We are an organization which has assumed the role of the Coordinating Organization. What are our obligations?

The beneficiary who assumes the role of the Coordinating Organization is responsible for the Preparation, during which he helps the volunteer(s) find and come in contact with a hosting organization and provides the volunteer(s) with pre-departure training. It also facilitates the communication between the volunteer(s) and the hosting organization during the Activity.

Is it possible to have a Coordinating Organization, a Sending Organization and a Hosting Organization in the same project?

What is the mentor’s role?
The mentor is identified by the Hosting Organization and he is responsible for providing personal support to the volunteer(s) and for helping them to integrate into the local community. The mentor has also an important role in discussing the learning achievements with the volunteer at the end of the Activity in view of the Youthpass certificate. The volunteer(s) can turn to the mentor in case of problems.

What can be the duration of an EVS Activity?
The duration of the Activity depends on the kind of the Activity.

We are two young people who wish to participate in EVS. Who should we contact? Do we submit our application to the NA?

In order to participate in an EVS you have to contact an accredited sending organization of your country.
After contacting the accredited organizations and after one of them has taken the responsibility of organizing your activity, it helps you find hosting projects of your interest. Moreover, it contacts the hosting organization and cooperates with it in order to submit your application.
In case you wish to find hosting projects on your own you can visit the following website: http://ec.europa.eu/youth/evs/aod/hei_en.cfm and inform your sending organization. Please note that the application cannot be submitted by you.

The expenses covered by the NA are the travel costs from home to the venue of the project and return, medical expenses and preparation costs. Moreover, a symbolic amount is given to the volunteer as pocket money. The hosting organization covers the accommodation and food expenses of the volunteer.

What is the difference between Action 1.1 (Youth Exchanges) and Action 3.1.1 (Youth Exchange with Neighboring Partner Countries)?

The main difference between Actions 1.1 and 3.1.1 is the countries from which the beneficiaries and the participants come from. In Action 1.1 the participants must come from Programme Countres, while in Action 3.1.1 the participants can also come from Neighboring Countries.

What kind of activities does a Training and Networking Project with Neighboring countries include?

The activities included in a Training and Networking Project with Neighboring Countries are the same with those included in a Training and Networking Project of Action 4.3. For more information you can refer to the Programme Guide 2009, pages 92-93.

We are an informal group of young people interested in applying for a seminar with four other informal groups under Action 3.1.2. Where should we apply?

An informal group of young people cannot apply for Action 3.1.2. The beneficiaries wishing to apply must have a legal identity in their country of residents. Informal groups of young people can participate as partners in Action 3.1.2.

We are an organization in Cyprus, which focuses on informing young people about EU institutions. Can we apply for Action 3.1.2 for a study visit to other organizations in a Neighboring Partner Country?

Yes, you can. However, a necessary precondition for the implementation of such an Activity is the participation of 4 organizations from 4 different countries, one of which is an EU country, and the other 3 come are Neighboring Partner Countries.

We are a body of young people and together with 4 other youth organizations from Programme Countries, wish to implement a seminar under Action 3.1.2. Does each organization have to submit its own application individually?

No. The application must be submitted by the organization which comes from the EU country.

No, this is not possible since Action 3.1.2 projects have to be implemented in an EU country or a country or in a country from Eastern Europe and Caucasus.

Is there an age limit for the participants of a Training and Networking Project?

Job Shadowing	Up to 2 participants
Feasibility Visit	Up to 2 participants per beneficiary
Evaluation Meeting	Up to 50 participants
Study visit	Up to 50 participants
Partnership-building Activity	Up to 50 participants
Seminar	Up to 50 participants
Training Course	Up to 50 participants
Networking	No limitation

All the Activities for Training and Networking Projects must take place in one of the beneficiaries’ country. A Networking Activity however, must take place in the country/countries of one or more beneficiaries.

What is the duration of an Action 4.3 project?

An Action 4.3 project can last from 3 to 18 months.

We are an organization interested in applying to Action 4.3. What is the maximum number of activities that a project can include? Is it preferable to include only one activity?

It’s preferable that an application includes only one activity. Action 4.3 does not cover multi-measure projects.

National Youth Meetings are meetings of non-profit non-governmental organizations or local public bodies which offering space for debate, active participation and information on issues which are relevant to Structured Dialogue or European Union policies. It is carried out at local, regional, and national level in the Programme Countries. Such meetings may prepare the ground of the official youth event to be organized by the Member State holding the turn of Presidency of the European Union or enhance cross-sectoral dialogue and cooperation between formal and non-formal education areas.

It is a gathering of young people and policy makers aimed at discussing and exchanging ideas and best practice, and/or adopting recommendations around topics centred on the priorties and objectives of the Structured Dialogue.

Can the Neighboring Partner Countries carry out a Trans-national Youth Seminar?

The beneficiaries of Action 5.1 must come from a Programme Country and the Activity must take place in the country of residence of one of the beneficiairies.

No. Informal groups of young people cannot implement National Youth Meetings. The beneficiaries of this Action must be legally recognized in their country of residence.

Is there an age limit for participating in Action 5.1?
As far as young participants of this Action are concerned, they should be between 15 to 30 years old. In the case of experts there is no age limit.

Eurodesk is a network of relays providing information relevant to young people and those who work with them on European opportunities in the education, training and youth fields, and on the involvement of young people in European activities.
It was established in 1995 with the full support of the European Commission. Today it numbers 30 countries as national partners, 900 youth information structures in these countries and a coordinating office in Brussels. This Network provides free access to a wide range of information at European and national level, especially adapted to the needs of young people and of those working with them.

I have heard that Eurodesk can help me get information about studying abroad. Can I get information on other topics as well?

Eurodesk offers free access to a wide range of information. Some of these fields of information are: Education – Studies- Training -Employment- Volunteerism- Youth Exchanges- Events- Resource Finding and much more.

Eurodesk is a European network but it doesn’t provide information only for the EU alone.

Eurodesk constitutes a supportive structure to the “Youth in Action” Programme. This means that it works in parallel to the Programme with the aim of facilitating those interested in applying to the Programme or simple in being informed about the Programme. It can assist in finding partners for the implementation of a Programme’s Action, exchanging good practice and finally it contributes in disseminating the information relevant to the “Youth in Actin” Programme.

There is no age limit for those interested in contacting Eurodesk. The reason for this is that Eurodesk provides information and support to young people, to those working with young people and to whoever wishes to be informed on these fields.

What is SALTO-YOUTH and what are the SALTO Youth Resource centres (SALTO = Support, Advanced Learning and Training Opportunities) ?

SALTO - YOUTH is a network of 8 Youth Resource Centres, which operate based on the European priorities in the field of youth. It provides education and training opportunities by improving the participants’ skills. Moreover, SALTO - YOUTH provides support to different organizations which are active in the field of youth and to the National Agencies of the Youth in Action Programme. At the same time it contributes to creating networks and tightening the relations between these organizations. SALTO - YOUTH started its operation in 2000 and it constitutes part of the Education Strategy of the European Union for the “Youth in Action” Programme and it operates complementally to the Programme.

SALTO (Support for Advanced Learning and Training Opportunities) Youth Resource Centres provide training and cooperation opportunities aiming at quality improvement and recognition of non-formal learning.
The following SALTOs support the Programme:

SALTO Youth RC Cultural Diversity, located in United Kingdom and providing training, resources and support focusing on identity, faith, ethnicity, etc. as well as on learning how to live and work with difference and taking intercultural learning one step further within the Youth in Action Programme.

SALTO Youth RC Eastern Europe and Caucasus (EECA), located in Poland and supporting cooperation between Programme and Neighbouring Partner Countries from Eastern Europe and Caucasus within the Youth in Action Programme.

SALTO Youth RC Euro-Med, located in France and supporting cooperation between Programme and Mediterranean Partner Countries (MEDA) within the Youth in Action Programme, as well as the identification and dissemination of good practice in the Programme.

SALTO Youth RC Inclusion, located in Belgium and developing inclusion training, publications and resources for international youth work with young people with fewer opportunities in order to facilitate and increase their participation in the Youth in Action Programme.

SALTO Youth RC Information, co-hosted in Hungary and Sweden, and developing and facilitating communication and information among the National Agencies and the other SALTO Youth Resource Centres.

SALTO Youth RC Participation, located in Belgium and aiming to create a space for reflection and for exchanging practices and ideas that enable young people and youth workers to develop quality participative projects.

SALTO Youth RC South East Europe (SEE), located in Slovenia and supporting cooperation between Programme and Neighbouring Partner Countries from South East Europe within the Youth in Action Programme.

SALTO Youth RC Training and Cooperation, located in Germany and supporting the development of quality in training strategies and training courses and cooperating with European training institutes and trainers within the context of training and quality. It also coordinates the development and implementation of Youthpass.
For more information you can visit the following website:
http://www.salto-youth.net

How are the SALTO Youth Resource Centres related to a participant of the Youth in Action Programme?

SALTO Youth Resource Centres can provide support to the participants or to those interested in participating in the field of youth and more specifically in the Youth in Action Programme. This support can be in the form of seminars, training activities or study visits. For instance, a person interested or a beneficiary can participate in a SALTO-YOUTH activity με σκοπό την περαιτέρω ενημέρωση και κατάρτιση του στο Πρόγραμμα Νέα Γενιά σε Δράση και την εύρεση ενδιαφερόμενων από το εξωτερικό για σύμπραξη.

What is body active at European level in the youth field (ENGO)?

It is a body which has a legal identity for at least a year, it is non-profitable and it is active at European level (on its own or in coordination with other organizations), it has a specific structure and it develops activities which cover at least 8 Programme countries. Moreover, it is active in the field of youth and it implements activities according to the principles of the European community in youth issues and it involves young people in managing these activities for their own benefit.

The Amsterdam Treaty is the result of the Intergovernmental Meeting which took place on 29th March 1998 at the Torino European Council. The Treaty was approved by the Amsterdam European Council (16th and 17th June 1997) and put into force on 1st May 1999 after being approved by all the member states according to the constitutional rules.
The Amsterdam Treaty reinforces gender equality, the principles of freedom and democracy, respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms, common principles of all member states.
The principles reinforced by the Amsterdam Treaty constitute priorities for the development of
employment opportunities in the EU.

The European Pact for Youth constitutes a means of policy for a unified and cohesive approach to youth issues within the framework of the Lisbon Strategy. In March 2005 the European Council approved the European Youth Pact for Youth which has three parts: employment, integration and social promotion, education, training and mobility, reconciliation of family and professional life. Actions for these fields will be established in 2010 within the framework of the European Strategy for Employment and the Strategy for Social Inclusion and the Work Plan 2010.
For more information about the European Pact for Youth visit the European Commission’s website: http://ec.europa.eu/youth/policies/youthpact

The Euro-Med Youth Platform provides support to young people and youth organisations in the Euro-Mediterranean region in order to facilitate the exchange of good practice, networking, cooperation and capacity building in the region.

To meet these objectives, it provides a series of networking facilities, including: