“Youth in Action” programme

Youth in Action is the Programme the European Union has set up for young people. It aims to inspire a sense of active European citizenship, solidarity and tolerance among young Europeans and to involve them in shaping the Union's future. It promotes mobility within and beyond the EU's borders, non-formal learning and intercultural dialogue, and encourages the inclusion of all young people, regardless of their educational, social and cultural background: Youth in Action is a Programme for all!

The Youth in Action Programme aims to respond at European level to the needs of young people from adolescence to adulthood. It 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 to:

• 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.

Permanent priorities:

• European Citizenship,
• Participation of young people,
• Cultural diversity,
• Inclusion.

For 2010, the annual priorities are the following:

• European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. This priority is intended to encourage projects aimed at raising young people's awareness of everyone’s responsibility in tackling poverty and marginalisation as well as at promoting the inclusion of groups with fewer opportunities. This concerns in particular, projects aimed at stimulating young people's reflection on the prevention, ways out and consequences of poverty; projects tackling the issue of marginalisation and various forms of discrimination, such as those based on gender, disability or ethnic, religious, linguistic or migrant grounds. In this context, particular attention will be paid in particular to projects promoting the active involvement of:
  • disabled young people, encouraging exchange between young people with and without disabilities, as well as projects focusing on the issue of disability in our society;
  • young people from migrant backgrounds or ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities. In this context, projects involving Roma young people shall be encouraged wherever relevant.
• Youth unemployment and promotion of young unemployed people's active participation in society;
  This priority is intended to encourage projects tackling the issue of youth unemployment and aimed at stimulating young unemployed people's active participation in society.
• Awareness-raising and mobilization of young people around global challenges (such as sustainable development, climate change, migrations, the Millennium Development Goals).
  This priority is intended to encourage projects aimed at raising young people's consciousness of their role as active citizens in a globalized world as well as at fostering their sense of global solidarity and commitment vis-a-vis current issues.

Informal learning

Informal learning refers to the learning in daily life activities, in work, family, leisure, etc. It is mainly learning by doing. In the youth sector, informal learning takes place in youth and leisure initiatives, in peer group and voluntary activities etc.

Non-formal and informal learning enables young people to acquire essential competences and contributes to their personal development, social inclusion and active citizenship, thereby improving their employment prospects. Learning activities within the youth field provide significant added value for young people as well as for the economy and society at large.

Non-formal and informal learning activities within the Youth in Action Programme are complementary to the formal education and training system. They have a participative and learner-centred approach, are carried out on a voluntary basis and are therefore closely linked to young people's needs, aspirations and interests. By providing an additional source of learning and a route into formal education and training, such activities are particularly relevant to young people with fewer opportunities..

What is the structure of the Youth in Action Programme?

In order to achieve its objectives, the Youth in Action Programme foresees five operational Actions.

Action 1 - Youth for Europe

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.

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 take part individually or in groups in non-profit, unpaid activities.

Action 3 - Youth in the World

Action 3 supports the following sub-Actions:

• Sub-Action 3.1 - Cooperation with the 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.
• Sub-Action 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 organisations. Grant requests related to this sub-Action are to be submitted following specific calls for proposals. Sub-Action 3.2 is not covered by this Guide.

Action 4 - Youth Support Systems

Action 4 supports the following sub-Actions:

• Sub-Action 4.1 - Support to bodies active at European level in the youth field
  This sub-Action supports the operation of non-governmental organisations 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. Grant requests related to this sub-Action are to be submitted following specific calls for proposals. Sub-Action 4.1 is not covered by this Guide.
• Sub-Action 4.2 - Support to the European Youth Forum
  This sub-Action supports the ongoing activities of the European Youth Forum. A grant is awarded every year under this sub-Action. Sub-Action 4.2 is not covered by this Guide.
• Sub-Action 4.3 - Training and networking of those active in youth work and youth organisations
  This sub-Action supports the training of those active in youth work and youth organisations, 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.

Action 5 - Support for European cooperation in the youth field

Action 5 supports the following sub-Actions:

• Sub-Action 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.
• Sub-Action 5.2 - Support for activities to bring about better knowledge of the youth field
  This sub-Action supports the identification of existing knowledge relating to the priorities in the youth field, established in the framework of the Open Method of Coordination. Sub-Action 5.2 is not covered by this Guide.
• Sub-Action 5.3 - Co-operation with international organisations
  This sub-Action will be used to support the European Union’s cooperation with international organisations working in the youth field, in particular the Council of Europe, the United Nations or its specialised institutions. Sub-Action 5.3 is not covered by this Guide.

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