2021-2027 EU Programmes�in the field of youth��Erasmus+�European Solidarity Corps

Victoria Esteban

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Back to school/university – 2 April 2024

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Youth, volunteer solidarity and traineeships office

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Specific objectives of Erasmus+ in the field of youth

• promote non-formal and informal learning mobility and active participation among young people
• promote cooperation, quality, inclusion, creativity and innovation at the level of organisations and policies in the field of youth;

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Erasmus+ Youth Budget

Out of the total 26.2 billion, 2.531 billion allocated to the Youth strand

Priorities of Erasmus+ 2021-2027

Inclusion and diversity

Digital

Green

Participation

Promoting equal opportunities and access, inclusion, diversity and fairness across all actions.

Building of knowledge, skills and attitudes on climate change and sustainable development.

Harnessing the potential of digital technologies and developing digital skills.

Promoting participation in democratic life, social and civic engagement.

• Youth exchanges
• Youth workers mobility
• Youth Participation Activities
• DiscoverEU

• Support for policy reform – European Youth Together

• Cooperation partnerships
• Small scale partnerships
• Capacity building in the field of youth

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KA1

KA2

KA3

Erasmus+ Youth actions

Youth exchanges

• support non-formal learning mobility of young people
• Meetings of groups of young people from at least 2 different countries to implement a non-formal learning programme on a topic of their interest
• Participants are 13-30 years old
• Activity lasts between 5-21 days
• Applicants can be organisations or informal groups of young people
• Green travel top-up and more travel days
• Action managed by National Agencies and open to programme and partner countries

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Youth workers mobility

• Supports the professional development of youth workers and the development of quality youth work
• Study visits and different types of assignments, networking and community building, job-shadowing, training courses, seminars and workshops
• A project is implemented by at least two organisations from different countries
• No age limit
• 2-60 days
• Green travel top-up and more travel days
• Action managed by National Agencies and open to programme and partner countries

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Youth participation activities

• support the use of alternative, innovative, smart and digital forms of youth participation
• can be actively used to conduct dialogues and discussions between young people and decision-makers
• can be either transnational or national
• may or may not include a mobility element and/or events involving physical presence of participants at a specific location
• Participants: young people 13-30 years old and decision makers
• Action managed by National Agencies and open to programme and partner countries

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DiscoverEU

• Action offering 18 years old the opportunity to have a short-term individual or group travel experience throughout Europe
• Fostering young people’s sense of belonging to the European Union and allow them to explore its cultural diversity
• Equipping the young people with skills and competences of value to their future lives, as well as inspiring them to embrace sustainable travel in particular and environmental conscience in general
• Young people residing in Erasmus+ programme countries (EU27 + Iceland, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia and Türkiye
• Application on the European Youth Portal

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More information

National contact points: Erasmus+ National Agencies

Applicable rules and deadlines: 2021 Erasmus+ Programme Guide

Facts and figures: 2021 factsheet on Erasmus+

Project results: Erasmus+ Project Results Platform

Youth friendly information: European Youth Portal

To be up to date on the programme and its opportunities – follow Erasmus+ on Twitter and Erasmus+ on FB

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Photo credits: @European Union and @Istockphoto

European Solidarity Corps

Aims to foster solidarity in the European society by engaging young people and organisations in accessible and high-quality solidarity (mainly volunteering) activities.

Offers young people opportunities to:

• make a meaningful contribution to society and help resolve challenging situations across Europe
• develop their skills and get some valuable experience in the process

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PRIORITIES OF THE PROGRAMME

Inclusion

Green

Digital

Participation

Health*

*for 2021 call

ACTIVITIES

Volunteering in solidarity activities

Solidarity Projects

Volunteering in humanitarian aid activities

Volunteering projects offer opportunities for young people to take part in solidarity activities contributing to the daily work of participating organisations, to the ultimate benefit of the communities within which the activities are carried out.

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Individual volunteering allows young people to participate in the daily activities of organisations for 2-12 months (in cases for people with fewer opportunities as of 2 weeks) abroad or in their country of residence.

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Volunteering teams are groups of 10-40 young people from at least two countries volunteering for a shorter period of 2 weeks to 2 months.

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Geographical scope

EU Member States and third countries associated to the programme: EU Member States, Iceland, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia and Türkiye – organisation can apply to the National Agency of the country they are established in

Third countries not associated to the programme: Norway, Serbia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Syria, Tunisia, Russian Federation - can participate in projects as partners

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Minimum two organisations covering host and support role (except for in-country and volunteering teams)

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Prerequisite: hold a Quality Label

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Volunteering

A Solidarity Project is a non-profit solidarity activity initiated, developed and implemented by young people themselves for a period from 2 to 12 months to bring positive change in their local community.

Solidarity Projects

Solidarity projects have clearly identified topic which the group of young people wish to explore together and which has to be translated into the concrete daily activities of the project and involve all the members of the group. it should also present European added value. Participation in a solidarity project is an important non-formal learning experience through which young people can boost their personal, educational, social and civic development.

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Geographical scope: EU Member States, Liechtenstein, Iceland, North Macedonia and Türkiye

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Groups of minimum 5 young people - one of participants takes a role of legal representative and submits the application

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Organisations can apply on behalf of the group

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No Quality Label is needed

Building on the EU Aid Volunteers initiative, extended scope to cover volunteering activities in support of humanitarian aid operations. The aim is to provide emergency aid based on the fundamental principles of neutrality, humanity, independence and impartiality, helping to deliver assistance, relief and protection where most needed.

!NEW as of 2022

• complementary support such as experienced coaches and experts
• Individual and in teams

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What do you get as an ESC volunteer?

• Travel costs, accommodation, food, pocket money, insurance and a discount card provided.
• Trainings - linguistic support - mentoring
• Youthpass documenting new skills (Recognition of learning outcomes)

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• + An experience of a life time.

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Young people register in the European Solidarity Corps database (europa.eu/youth/solidarity) and can be selected for projects by organisations.

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Quality labelled organisations select young people from the database for their projects.

How does it work in practice?

From the participants reports

• 63% of participants report that after their European Solidarity Corps activity feel more European
• 76% of participants say they intend to participate more actively in the social and political life of their community
• 83% of participants report that they’ve gained additional skills and knowledge that they think will be useful in their future career
• 85% of participants say that their activity made them more aware of the fact that some people in society have fewer opportunities
• 87% intend to remain engaged and active in the area of solidarity upon their return
• 88% feel more confident to move around on their own in other countries (e.g. travel, study, work)

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More information on the European Youth Portal:

europa.eu/youth/solidarity

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Contact the National Agency in your country

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Read the European Solidarity Corps Guide and find call for proposals

5 months paid traineeship

(Administrative/

Translation)

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European Commission or European Services/Agencies

2 sessions/year (1ˢᵗ March or

1ˢᵗ October)

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Approx. 1000 trainees/session

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The Blue Book Traineeship programme

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Completion of higher education: Full degree

(min. 3 year on university level e.g. BA)

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Very good knowledge

of at least 2 EU official languages:

EN/ FR/ DE (CEFR – level C) + other EU language (min. CEFR level B2)

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No prior experience in a EU Institution or body for more than six weeks or 42 days

(incl. assistant to MEP)

Eligibility Criteria

If not selected:

You have to submit a new application for each session

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No age limit

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Open to EU and non-EU applicants

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If not selected:

You can apply for more than one session

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Eligibility Criteria

Geographical Balance

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Europa General information, application forms and selection procedure

https://traineeships.ec.europa.eu/index_en

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Applications

Facts & Figures

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#EUYouthWeek

Voice your vision

12 – 19 April 2024

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Unlocking Your Potential:

“Voice your Vision”

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#EUYouthWeek

• From 12 – 19 April 2024
• Intended outcomes of the activities during the European Youth Week 2024:
1. Empower democratic engagement;  
2. Highlight achievements in the field of youth;  
3. Promote opportunities offered to young people at the EU, national, and regional levels;  
4. Raise awareness of priority issues of relevance to young people in line with the European Commission’s priorities

#EUYouthWeek

Map of Activities

• Do you have an idea for an activity?
• Engage actively and submit your proposal online to promote and amplify the diverse voices of young people
• What qualifies as an activity?
• Debates, campaigns, workshops
• Anything linked with EU, national, and regional elections or the following thematic areas:
• Democratic participation and active citizenship
• Health and wellbeing
• Environment and Climate
• Education and training
• International cooperation and European values
• Employment and Inclusion

#EUYouthWeek

The Voice Platform

• Aim to give voice to youth from all backgrounds and countries and give them the chance to raise their ideas and concerns for the future of Europe on several themes and policy areas
• An extra dedicated theme for the EU elections
• Accessible online

Keep in touch

europa.eu/youth European Youth Portal

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@EUEuropeanYouth

@EUEuropeanYouth

EUEuropeanYouth

@EuropeanSolidarityCorps Official group

@DiscoverEU Official group