The European Solidarity Corps, launched in 2016 and bolstered by a dedicated regulation in 2018, has become a cornerstone of the EU’s commitment to solidarity and youth empowerment. With a budget exceeding EUR 1 billion for 2021-2027, the Corps has expanded its focus to include volunteering in humanitarian aid, addressing global challenges.

Boasting a quarter-million registered youth by 2020, the Corps goes beyond community impact. It equips participants with vital skills for navigating a dynamic world. Aligned with the EU Youth Strategy, the Corps is more than a volunteer initiative; it’s a bridge connecting youthful aspirations with global needs, fostering socially conscious and globally engaged citizens.

DOWNLOAD the 2024 European Solidarity Corps Annual Work Programme.

Empowering Youth Globally: The European Solidarity Corps and EU Youth Strategy

The European Solidarity Corps, a linchpin of the EU’s commitment to solidarity and youth empowerment, is strategically embedded within the framework of European cooperation in the youth field. At the heart of EU youth policy, the Corps aligns with the renewed Youth Strategy, emphasising active citizenship, solidarity, and positive change inspired by EU values and a shared European identity.

A pivotal aspect of the Youth Strategy is found in the ‘Connect’ priority area, where the Commission aims to expand mobility actions under the Corps. This entails not only bolstering mobility but also supporting implementation through robust policy cooperation and community-building activities. The indicative budget for the 2024 European Solidarity Corps work programme stands at EUR 145,000,000, a crucial financing decision per the regulations governing the Union’s general budget.

Policy Priorities and Strategic Focus

In its mission to empower young people and promote solidarity, the European Solidarity Corps outlines comprehensive policy priorities for the 2024 work programme. These priorities align with broader EU strategies such as the European Education Area, the Digital Education Action Plan, and the European Democracy Action Plan, emphasizing a gender equality perspective in line with the Gender Equality Strategy 2020-25.

Inclusion and Diversity

The Corps actively addresses inclusion and diversity, promoting social inclusion, tolerance, human rights, and the value of differences. A comprehensive strategy supports organizations in reaching participants with fewer opportunities, ensuring equal access. The thematic SALTO Resource Centre for Inclusion and Diversity enhances the inclusive implementation of the programme.

Environmental Sustainability and Climate Goals

The Corps contributes to climate and biodiversity goals by prioritizing the green transition and promoting eco-friendly practices in projects. In line with the European Green Deal, the Corps supports initiatives for environmental conservation, awareness, and resilience to extreme weather events. The thematic green SALTO Resource Centre enhances the green dimension of the programme.

Digital Transformation

In response to the EU’s emphasis on digital leadership, the Corps aims to support Europeans in thriving in the digital age. Projects and activities focus on improving digital skills, fostering digital literacy, and understanding the risks and opportunities of digital technology. The thematic digital SALTO Resource Centre ensures high-quality and inclusive implementation of the digital dimension.

Participation in Democratic Life

At the core of the Corps is the promotion of European common values, civic engagement, and strengthening European identity. Activities aim to engage youth in democratic processes, including European elections, and uphold EU values and human rights. The thematic SALTO Resource Centre for Participation & Information supports high-quality and inclusive implementation.

Annual Policy Priorities: Addressing Urgent Needs

The 2024 work programme emphasizes specific annual policy priorities:

• Relief for Persons Fleeing Conflicts and Disasters

The Corps plays a crucial role in providing relief and assistance to those affected by armed conflicts and disasters. Recent events, such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine, underscore the importance of solidarity in times of crisis.

• Fostering Positive Learning for Vulnerable Youth

The Corps supports learning outcomes for young people with fewer opportunities, aligning with the European Year of Skills and reinforcing the legacy of the European Year of Youth.

Broader Focus Areas: Health and Innovation

Beyond annual priorities, the Corps actively supports initiatives related to health and mental well-being, aligning with the HealthyLifeStyle4All. It also promotes innovation, mobilizing young people to contribute innovative solutions to societal challenges, such as rural depopulation and sustainable energy systems.

The European Solidarity Corps in 2024 emerges not only as a platform for youth engagement but as a dynamic force aligning with EU strategies, addressing pressing global issues, and nurturing a generation of socially conscious and innovative citizens.

Calls for Proposals: Guiding Participation

Calls for proposals, both general and specific, are issued by the Commission or the Executive Agency, aligning with Financial Regulation Article 189(1). The annual general call for proposals, accompanied by the Programme Guide, serves as a comprehensive resource outlining project objectives, requirements, and application procedures.

• Direct and Indirect Management: Diverse Implementation Channels

Actions are implemented through direct and indirect management. National Agencies handle indirect management, while direct management grants are awarded by the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA).

• Flexible Grant Awarding: Swift Responses to Needs

Grant awards, including those without a formal call for proposals as permitted by Article 195 of the Financial Regulation, showcase the Corps’ adaptability in addressing emerging challenges.

• Navigating 2024 Initiatives: Future Calls and Grants

Part II of the work programme details upcoming calls for proposals and grants, providing clarity for potential beneficiaries. The selection criteria outlined in the Programme Guide will guide the evaluation and awarding process for all grants under the European Solidarity Corps.

L'articolo European Solidarity Corps 2024 Annual Work Programme proviene da Youth Networks.

L'articolo New Call | Transnational Cooperation Between Universities in Europe proviene da Youth Networks.

If you are you a teacher, school or organisation active in education/teacher education, stay tuned – new calls for application will open in Autumn 2022.

What Are Jean Monnet Actions?

Fostering European studies is exactly the goal of Jean Monnet activities. They fall under the Erasmus+ Programme and address specifically to scholars, universities and other bodies dealing with research or teaching. Two main aims: improving European integration and spreading European values, in and out the EU boundaries.

There are three kinds of such activities:

• Teaching and Research: Jean Monnet Modules, Chairs and Centres of Excellence.
• Support to Associations: Jean Monnet support to Associations.
• Policy debate with the Academic World: Jean Monnet Networks and Jean Monnet Projects.

Although they are designed mostly for higher education institutions, in order to enhance employability and improving career prospects for young graduates, there’s also the possibility for organisations active in the field of youth to take part – as stated in the official website, that refers to the Erasmus+ Programme Guide.

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L'articolo Jean Monnet Actions: New Calls are Opening in Autumn 2022 proviene da Youth Networks.

Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education

The Erasmus+ Action ECBHE supports international cooperation projects based on multilateral partnerships between organisations active in the field of higher education. It supports the relevance, quality, modernisation and responsiveness of higher education in third countries not associated to the Erasmus + programme for socio-economic recovery, growth and prosperity and reacting to recent trends. In particular:

• economic globalisation;
• decline in human development;
• rising social, economic and environmental inequalities exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Asia and Pacific Regions

In this session, the focus will be on Asia (Region 5) and Pacific (Region 8), thus addressing the following countries:

• Region 5: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, DPR Korea, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam;
• Region 8: Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia – Federated States of, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu.

The online info sessions suits therefore any organisation based in any of these countries or any organisation willing to submit a project proposal under the Erasmus+ programme involving organisations from these countries.

How To Join

To join the info session register first. The working language is English.

You can find further information about grants and the Erasmus Plus programme guide to get prepared in advance.

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L'articolo Online Info Session: Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) proviene da Youth Networks.

European Universities

The European Universities support systemic, structural and sustainable transnational cooperation among diverse higher education institutions across Europe, covering all their missions:

• education,
• research,
• innovation and
• service to society.

Through cooperation, European universities promote common European values and strengthen the European identity. They support higher education through:

• the high quality they provide;
• high standard performance;
• great attractiveness to young people;
• international competitiveness.

2022 Erasmus Plus European Universities Call

The Call for Proposals builds around 2 topics:

1. Intensification of prior deep institutional transnational cooperation: to provide support for already existing deep institutional transnational cooperation alliances. The aim is to build upon the institutional cooperation achieved so far and to further deepen, intensify and expand the effectiveness of this existing cooperation in order to progress towards the long-term vision of the ‘European Universities’. New higher education institutions have the opportunity to join these existing alliances as full partners.
2. Development of new deep institutional transnational cooperation: to provide support for applicants wishing to establish new deep institutional transnational cooperation in a new ‘European Universities’ alliance.

Further Information

There is an upcoming information session on December 14th, 2021. A chance to ask live your questions about the Call for Proposals 2022 for European Universities. The organizer is EACEA and the information session will be on web streaming.

How To Apply

Find the call for proposals for the 2022 Erasmus+ European Universities.The deadline for applications submission is 22 March 2022.

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Erasmus Plus Programme Guide 2022 Just Published

L'articolo 2022 Erasmus+ European Universities call launched proviene da Youth Networks.

The 2021 Call for Volunteering Teams in High Priority Areas projects closes on October 5th 2021 at 5pm (Brussels time). The online presentation, for anyone who has missed it out, is available for consultation.

Volunteering Teams in High Priority Areas

Volunteering Teams in high priority areas are large scale, high impact projects supporting voluntary activities carried out by young people from at least two different countries coming together to express solidarity by implementing short-term interventions that address common European challenges in policy areas defined each year at EU level.

This year’s priority is focused on COVID-19 impact and recovery, particularly through supporting the health and social care systems with activities tackling prevention, promotion and support in the field of health; addressing major health challenges (i.e. life-threatening illnesses like cancer) and promoting health, healthy lifestyle, physical activity and well-being overall.

For the purpose of this call, applications for funding could:

• contribute to the improvement of health and well-being of vulnerable people, including persons affected by chronic or life-threatening diseases (e.g. cancer);
• contribute to building inclusive societies.

How To Apply

The 2021 Call is still open and your organisation can apply through the EACEA website.

Prior to application, it might be useful to go through the EACEA informative session, as such provides organisations with information on the proposals submission procedure in e-grant.

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L'articolo Volunteering Teams in High Priority Areas proviene da Youth Networks.

Did you apply for it? If you did, Check HERE the results!

If you did not apply… learn more about this and other European opportunities in Youthnetworks and don’t miss the next call for proposals!

L'articolo Selection results: “European Youth Together” proviene da Youth Networks.

• Eastern Partnership Window Project: Civil Society Fellowships for Youth
• Eastern Partnership Window Project: Partnership for Entrepreneurship
• Capacity Building in the field of Youth – ACPALA

The projects cover the following action:

• Key Action 2: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices
• Capacity Building in the field of youth

Have a look at the list of the beneficiaries here.

L'articolo Selection results – Capacity Building in the Field of Youth 2019 extra EU proviene da Youth Networks.

The projects cover the following action:

• Key Action 2: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices
• Knowledge Alliances

Have a look at the list and visti the official page here.

L'articolo Selection results: Erasmus+ knowledge Alliances 2019 EAC/A03/2018 proviene da Youth Networks.