CISS and Youth Programme

“Youth in Action” is a non-formal education programme and promotes both European and non-European projects concerning international youth mobility - both individually and in group - intercultural learning and local initiatives of young people aged between 13 and 30 years.

“Youth in Action” is the new 2007-2013 youth programme.

Its budget is around 915 million euros and its operation is widely decentralized. It aims at the participation of young people aged between 13 and 30 years and belonging to Member States or to some other States outside the European Union, in particular those that wish to enter the European Union. “Youth in Action” foresees five actions such as Youth Exchanges, European Voluntary Service and “Youth in the world”, which aim at developing projects together with other countries.

This programme is directed to groups of young people, youth organizations, youth workers, local authorities, service industry organizations, those who work for and with young people. Moreover, it aims at providing mobility opportunities for young people and their active participation in the building of Europe.

Priorities of the Youth in Action programme

1. European citizenship
2. Youth participation
3. Cultural diversities
4. Inclusion of young people with fewer opportunities

ACTIONS

The programme foresees five Actions

Action 1 – Youth for Europe

This action aims at:
- Increasing the youth mobility supporting youth exchanges;
- Developing youth citizenship and their mutual understanding supporting youth initiatives, projects and activities concerning the participation of young people to the democratic life.

Action 1 supports the following initiatives:

1.1 Youth Exchanges
Youth Exchanges offer an opportunity for groups of young people from different countries, aged about between 13 and 25 years, to meet and learn about each other’s cultures. The groups plan together their Youth Exchange around a theme of mutual interest.

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. The Youth initiatives are directed in particular to young people aged between 18 and 30 years. Those who have reached the age limit of 15 years are eligible only if (they are) accompanied by youth workers or coaches (adviser-companion).

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. It involves young people aged between 13 and 30 years.

Action 2 – European Voluntary Service

The aim of the European Voluntary Service is to support young people's participation in various forms of voluntary activities, both within and outside the European Union. Under this Action, young people (18-30) take part individually or in groups in non-profit, unpaid activities. The service can last up to 12 months. Those who have reached the 16th birthday can participate in the European Voluntary Service only in extraordinary cases.

Action 3 – Youth in the world

This Action aims at supporting projects involving partner countries, in particular youth exchanges, as well as projects foreseeing activities in the field of youth labour, and the development of partnerships and networks of youth organizations.

3.1 Cooperation with Neighbouring Countries of the European Union
This sub-Action supports projects with Neighbouring Partner Countries, namely Youth Exchanges and Training and Networking Projects in the youth field.

3.2 Cooperation with Other Countries of the World
This sub-Action concerns cooperation in the youth field, in particular the exchange of good practice with Partner Countries from other parts of the world. It encourages exchanges and training of young people and youth workers, partnerships and networks of youth organizations.

Action 4 – Youth Support Systems

This action aims at supporting organizations active at European level in the youth field, in particular it supports the operation of youth non-governmental organizations, their networking, advices to those who work out projects, quality through the exchange, training and networking of youth workers and youth organizations, incentive to innovation and quality of actions, youth information, implementation of structures and activities necessary for the achievement of the objectives of the programme, as well as promotion of partnerships with regional and local authorities.

Action 4 foresees eight sub-actions:

4.1 Support to bodies active at European level in the youth field
This sub-Action supports the operation of non-governmental organizations active at European level in the youth field that pursue a goal of general European interest (ENGOs). Their activities must contribute to young people's participation in public life and society and the development and implementation of European cooperation activities in the youth field in the broadest sense.

4.2 Support to the European Youth Forum
Every year, within this sub-action, the activities of the European Youth Forum are supported by a grant.

4.3 Training and networking of those active in youth work and youth organizations
This sub-Action supports the training of those active in youth work and youth organizations, in particular the exchange of experiences, expertise and good practice as well as activities which may lead to long-lasting quality projects, partnerships and networks.

4.4 Projects encouraging innovation and quality
This sub-Action supports projects aimed at introducing, implementing and promoting innovative approaches in the youth field.

4.5 Information activities for young people and those active in youth work and youth organizations
This sub-Action supports activities at European and national level which improve young people’s access to information and communication services and increase the participation of young people in the preparation and dissemination of user-friendly, targeted information products. It also supports the development of European, national, regional and local youth portals for the dissemination of specific information for young people.

4.6 Partnerships
This sub-Action is for the funding of partnerships with regional and local authorities, in order to develop long-term projects which combine various measures in the Programme.

4.7 Support for the structures of the Programme
This sub-Action is for the funding of the operational structures of the Programme, in particular the national Agencies.

4.8 Adding to the value of the Programme
This sub-Action allows the European Commission to fund seminars, conventions or meetings in order to facilitate the implementation of the Programme and make its results rise in value.

Action 5 - Support for European cooperation in the youth field

This Action aims at:
- Supporting the structured dialogue between people working in the youth field, in particular young people, youth workers and those working in youth organizations or responsible for youth policy;
- Supporting youth seminars both at national and international level;
- Contributing to the development of political cooperation in the youth filed;
- Facilitating the development of networks to bring about better knowledge of the youth field;
- Supporting the cooperation with international organizations.

5.1 Meetings of young people and those responsible for youth policy
This sub-Action supports cooperation, seminars and Structured Dialogue between young people, those active in youth work and those responsible for youth policy. Activities include conventions arranged by the Presidency of the Council of the European Union and the European Youth Week.

5.2 Support for activities to bring about better knowledge of the youth field
This sub-Action supports the identification of previous knowledge in relation to the main issues in the youth field under the Open Method of Coordination.

5.3 Co-operation with international organizations
This sub-Action supports the cooperation of the European Union with intergovernmental organizations engaged in the youth field, in particular the Council of Europe and the United Nations or its specialized institutions.

FURTHER INFORMATION ON: http://www.gioventu.it