The European Union Youth Programme

1. via della Procureria, 2/a -34121 Trieste, tel. 040.675.41.41 fax 040.675.41.42 www.retecivica.trieste.it/ipe europedirect@comune.trieste.it The European UnionYouth Programme Mattia Vinzi – 2006

2. What is the YOUTH PROGRAMME? • The YOUTH programme offers financial support to projects (outside the field of formal education) of young people, provides information, training and opportunities to develop new partnerships across Europe and beyond. • The YOUTH programme strives to achieve and maintain a balance between young people’s personal development and collective activity in order to promote: a. their integration into society and the expression of their spirit of initiative; b. their acquisition of knowledge, skills and competencies, and the recognition of the value of such an experience; c. their expression of solidarity and the fight against racism and xenophobia, a better understanding of the diversity of our common European culture, shared heritage and common basic values; d. the elimination of discrimination and the establishment of equality. Mattia Vinzi – 2006

3. Action 1: GROUP EXCHANGES “Youth for Europe” Azione 2: EUROPEAN VOLUNTARY SERVICE Azione 3: YOUTH INITIATIVES – support for group initiatives and Future Capital projects Azione 4: JOINT ACTIONS with other EU programmes for education (SOCRATES) and training (LEONARDO DA VINCI) Action 5: SUPPORT MEASURES such as cooperation and partnerships, training measures, practical training experience (job shadowing), feasibility visits, contact-making seminars, transnational partnerships and networks 5Actions: Mattia Vinzi – 2006

4. Action 2:The European Voluntary Service • For young people between 18 and 25 • Voluntary service activity from 6 up to 12 months • Total project costs covered by Youth Programmeand host and sending organisations Mattia Vinzi – 2006

5. Environmental projects Social projects Cultural projects What kind of voluntary work? Every approved EVS project is available on a public database http://europa.eu.int/comm/youth Mattia Vinzi – 2006

6. Participant countries • 25 Member states • + Liechtenstein, Iceland, Norway • Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey • Third countries • are divided into the following priority regions: • 1- Mediterranean countries (Euromed Youth programme), countries in South East Europe (SEE), the Eastern Europe and the Caucasus (former CIS - Commonwealth of Independent States) • 2 - Latin America (LA). Mattia Vinzi – 2006

7. Co-operation with South East Europe (SEE) EU co-operation with South East Europe aims at creating an area of peace, stability, prosperity and freedom. Youth participation is considered a key element in this process. This is why the YOUTH programme especially encourages co-operation with this region. The SALTO SEE Resource Centre promotes cooperation between YOUTH programme countries and the Western Balkans through dissemination of information, capacity building and assistance in finding partners.( http://www.salto-youth.net/see/ ) Mattia Vinzi – 2006

8. And everything IS FREE !The costs covered for the volunteer are: • Travel expenses a • Accommodation a • Meals a • a Pocket money • a Language Course • a Local transportation • a Health insurance Mattia Vinzi – 2006

9. Who takes care of the volunteer? Sending organisation (e.g. our office) Host organisation • Pre departure weekly meetings • Assistance in finding the project • Contact with potential host institution • Approval of the National Agency • All costs covering travel and insurance • “Survival kit” for the participants • Language Course • Project training • Accommodation • Personal advice and support Mattia Vinzi – 2006

10. That’s how it works • Departure • Potential • candidate • Sending Organis. • (Europe Direct Ts) • Local project • Foreign • Host • Organisation • Approval by the • National Agency • Database on approved projects Average time: 6 months Mattia Vinzi – 2006

11. EVS’ strength • A good balance between service to the hosting local community and learning opportunities for the volunteer (both community and volunteer equally gain from the project activities) • An intercultural experience • Learning/practicing a foreign language • Good training for a future job Mattia Vinzi – 2006

12. Some EVS difficulties • Database not always updated • Finding a project could take a long time • Communication brings common understanding, while lack of communication leads to false expectations and wrong interpretations Mattia Vinzi – 2006

13. Off you go – but remember... • EVS is not a job or an internship, nor a work placement, a humanitarian mission or a holiday period ! • Language learning within the EVS is a consequence and shall not be the only reason for you to join. • Your sending organisation is still there to counsel and help you all along your EVS project and your host organisation will nominate a personal mentor for you. • It will sometimes be difficult – but who said it would be easy? Mattia Vinzi – 2006

14. Stefania in Portugal • After school recreational centre. • Fixed doubledecker used as activity centre. • Activities with children and juggler’s course Mattia Vinzi – 2006

15. Giovanna in Greece • Environmental Association. • Forest excursions and fire watch patrols.Educational excursions into the forest with school children. Clearing invasive plants Mattia Vinzi – 2006

16. Linda in Spain • Cultural Ass. in Santiago de Compostela • Contributing to the organisation and promotion of • the yearly festival of street theatre of Galicia and of thematic film shows. Mattia Vinzi – 2006