Youth in Action programme

The main aim of Action 5 of the Youth in Action programme is to promote European co-operation in the youth field. In this way, the Programme offers concrete support to youth policy development at European level. The general objectives include: encouraging the exchange of good practice between policy-makers and young people; supporting structured dialogue between young people and policy-makers; fostering a better knowledge and understanding of youth and promoting co-operation with international organisations active in the youth field.

Three sub-actions have been created to achieve these goals.

National and transnational youth seminars

Firstly, co-funding grants can be given to the setting up of meetings between young people and those responsible for youth policy.

Targeted at young people aged 15-30, these meetings can take place either at national or transnational level. They should aim at promoting the exchange of good practice and ideas in relation to important topics in the field of European youth policy or the priority themes of the Youth in Action programme and structured dialogue. Additionally, national youth seminars may consist of gatherings at local, regional and national level in preparation for the youth presidency events in the Member State holding the EU’s rotating presidency.

Both types of seminars need to be dynamic, non-formal learning experiences. They should contribute to young people's education, as well as to their knowledge and awareness of the European and international context

Improving knowledge and understanding of youth

This aims to improve the knowledge and understanding of youth in relation to the priorities established in the youth field under the Open Method of Coordination. It will support the development of studies and networks in order to gain greater understanding of the reality and needs of young people.

Co-operation with international organisations

The Commission works closely with the Council of Europe and the two institutions have established a partnership agreement in order to develop a framework for co-operation in the youth field. Within this partnership a large variety of joint activities are implemented, including training, conferences, workshops, seminars, as well as the management of the European Knowledge Centre for Youth Policy, a research database for youth policy across Europe.

A Partnership between the Commission and the United Nations Volunteers is also being strengthened in order to increase cooperation in the field of volunteering.

Cooperation between the Commission and the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programmestarted in the framework of the International Year of Volunteers (IYV) in 2001. The UNV programme is the UN organization that contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide. Present in about 140 countries, UNV mobilises around 8 000 volunteers per year in the field in addition to 9 500  online volunteers. Through UNV’s Online Volunteering service about 14,500 assignments are completed online each year. Since 2007, the two institutions have entered into a partnership in the field of volunteerism and youth.

The overall objective of the EC-UNV Partnership is to jointly promote and advocate for volunteerism, including youth voluntary activities and volunteerism for development and to strengthen the relationship between UNV and the European Commission.

The collaboration entails undertaking joint activities, in Europe and the world, that support the development, promotion, facilitation and recognition of voluntary activities in general and of young people in particular in order to enhance international solidarity, development and active citizenship.

The partnership aims at supporting innovative and pilot actions which demonstrate the role that volunteerism plays for development. In 2011 the partnership has a special relevance, since 2011 will be the tenth anniversary of the International Year of Volunteers and has been designated the European Year of Volunteering. This focus on volunteering will lead to a greater awareness of its added value, highlighting the link between voluntary engagement at local and national level and its significance in the wider European and global contexts. In this respect, the partnership provides a platform for regular communication and exchange of best practice. Moreover, the International Year of Youth (August 2010 to August 2011) provides an opportunity to promote the specific value and importance of youth volunteerism.

The partnership is funded through sub-Action 5.3 of the Youth in Action Programme ("cooperation with international organisations").