Involving young people in caring for the environmental sustainability is really important to Europe’s view on education.

People of all ages should learn how to know more, do better, and care about living in a way that’s good for the Earth.

This includes using resources wisely, being healthy, and working together to make Europe greener and more sustainable.

Discover the actions and initiatives that Europe is taking to spread the importance of environmental education among young Europeans.

The aim of the intiatives

The European Commission aids EU Member States by:

• Providing learners and educators with the necessary knowledge and skills for a more sustainable society.
• Assisting education institutions in integrating sustainability into teaching, learning, and overall operations.
• Promoting a collective understanding of the significant changes required in education and training to support sustainability and the transition to a greener future.

What is the EU doing?

The European Commission is actively involved in developing initiatives to enhance education for a more sustainable future.

Among these initiatives is a proposal for a Council Recommendation on learning for environmental sustainability. The purpose is to encourage and support Member States in incorporating environmental education into their systems and promoting collaboration on this aspect across the European Union.

In conjunction with this Recommendation, the Commission is in the process of creating a European Sustainability Competence Framework.

This framework outlines the essential knowledge, skills, and attitudes that learners should have to address climate change and contribute to sustainable development. The overarching goal is to establish a shared understanding of these competences, ensuring that everyone agrees on what students at all educational levels should learn to promote eco-friendly practices.

The EU actions about environmental education

Among the initiatives promoted by the European Union there are the following:

1. Council Recommendation on learning for the green transition and sustainable development. With this initiative it is possible to actively involve students and staff, local authorities, youth organisations and the research and innovation community in learning for sustainability.
2. Learning for sustainability working group. The European Commission helps put the Recommendation into action through a special group that focuses on sustainability in education. This group has over 40 members, including people from education ministries, social partners, NGOs, and international organizations.
3. European competence framework on sustainability. This framework, available in all official EU languages, can be used in school and training programs, as well as in formal and informal learning environments.
4. Erasmus+ Teacher academies. Erasmus+ Teacher Academies is a key part of the current Erasmus+ program. Its aim is to form partnerships among European teacher education and training providers, enhancing the European and global aspects of teacher education in Europe.

Discover more about the initiative

If you want to know more about the various European initiatives for the environment visit the official website!

Read also

How to Use AI in Education | The Guidelines

Empowering Youth Organisations | YEPA project

L'articolo Education for Environmental Sustainability  | EU Actions proviene da Youth Networks.

Open the 2024 Erasmus Plus Call for Proposals.

Overview

With a substantial budget of €4.3 billion for the upcoming year, Erasmus+ will maintain its commitment to facilitating transnational experiences for school pupils, higher education students, and vocational education and training participants. The program will also extend opportunities to adult learners, educators, staff, and young people engaged in non-formal learning programs.

In response to the impact of inflation on those studying abroad and to encourage broad participation, the program will elevate mobility grant levels. In line with the 2023 approach, individual support grant amounts for those undertaking learning experiences abroad will be adjusted by 5.9% in most mobility actions for the 2024 call. Additionally, a 12.27% increase was implemented in 2023.

In 2024, the program will introduce enhanced incentives for sustainable travel, positioning it as the default option. Participants from remote areas, islands, or places lacking sufficient rail networks will receive appropriate compensation for utilizing sustainable modes of travel. Notably, travel contributions will be extended for intra-European higher education mobility, ensuring more consistent funding rules across all sectors.

Cooperation activities under Erasmus+ will persist in bringing individuals and organizations together to address the program’s four overarching key priorities: inclusion, active citizenship and democratic participation, and green and digital transitions.

These activities can range from supporting local-scale projects to transnational initiatives such as European Universities, dedicated to transnational university alliances, Centres for Vocational Excellence, and Erasmus+ Teacher Academies, all playing pivotal roles in the green and digital transitions of education and training systems.

Erasmus+ remains committed to supporting Ukraine through projects that encourage incoming learning mobility, empower individuals with new skills, combat disinformation, and facilitate the integration of refugees into new educational systems.

The program will also maintain its central role in promoting common EU values. All program beneficiaries and their implemented activities will align with and promote values such as human dignity and rights, freedom, democracy, equality, and the rule of law.

Under this Erasmus+ call for project applications, any public or private body active in the fields of education, training, youth, and sport can seek funding either via Erasmus+ National Agencies or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA).

Background

The total budget available for Erasmus+ from 2021 to 2027 is €26.2 billion, supplemented by around €2.2 billion from the EU’s external instruments. Since 1987, the Erasmus+ program has benefitted over 14 million people through participation in various education, training, and youth mobility activities, continuously expanding its reach.

Next Steps

The Commission has launched the call for proposals under the Erasmus+ initiative for 2024, following the adoption of the 2024 work program.

The Commission is in the process of preparing the mid-term evaluation of the ongoing program (2021-2027) and the final evaluation of the predecessor program (2014-2020). This will be submitted to the Council, European Parliament, Committee of the Regions, and the European Economic and Social Committee. A public consultation has been initiated in all 24 EU languages to collect opinions on Erasmus+, running until 8 December.

More Information

We talked about the 2024 Annual Work Programme of Erasmus Plus and European Solidarity Corps.

We’ve also underlined the difference and improvements compared to the 2023 Annual Work Programme.

Other Resources

2024 Erasmus+ work programme

2024 Erasmus+ call for proposals

2024 Erasmus+ programme guide

Factsheet on new Erasmus+ 2021-2027 programme

Skills and Talent Mobility

L'articolo €4.3 Billion Allocated Under Erasmus+ for Enhancing Mobility and Cooperation in Education, Training, Youth, and Sport in 2024 proviene da Youth Networks.

The Youth Entrepreneurship Policy Academy (YEPA) is a group of 150 people, including policymakers, youth entrepreneurship groups, social entrepreneurship networks, youth organisations, program managers, and researchers.

YEPA’s goal is to improve policies and programs for young entrepreneurs by sharing information about the challenges they face and promoting discussions among policymakers, young entrepreneurs, and experts to figure out effective strategies for youth entrepreneurship policies.

Keep reading to find out more about this initiative.

The aim of the project

The main goal is to spread awareness about the problems young people face in starting businesses. YEPA also helps policymakers, young entrepreneurs, and experts share ideas on what works in youth entrepreneurship policies.

Sometimes, other important people like entrepreneurs, investors, and experts will join workshops to share their thoughts too.

It will make more people understand why supporting young entrepreneurs is important by:

1. Informing policymakers about the challenges faced by talented young people in entrepreneurship.
2. Teaching policymakers about successful ways to create and implement policies, while avoiding mistakes.
3. Showing policymakers and youth entrepreneurship networks the benefits of social entrepreneurship for young people.
4. Setting up a regular way for policymakers to talk with youth entrepreneurship networks and encourage the creation of more of these networks.

Who can participate?

• If you are an individual

If you’re a young entrepreneur, an expert in youth entrepreneurship, a researcher, or someone who works with youth businesses, and you want to be part of the project you can contact directly with the organisations by visiting the website.

• If you represent a network or organisation

If you work with a youth group or organisation that supports young entrepreneurs or self-employment and helps with youth entrepreneurship policies, you can join YEPA activities. Become a representative for your national or international youth network by joining the mailing list or contacting directly with the organisation.

• Participants from outside the EU

There are special opportunities for governments, networks, organisations, and youth entrepreneurship experts. Organisations from countries outside the EU can join some YEPA events. If your organization is in an OECD country, it might be able to participate in certain activities.

Discover more about the initiative

Learn more about this project, its objectives, events and how to participate through the official website.

Read also

How to Use AI in Education | The Guidelines

Join the UN Youth Delegate Programme

L'articolo Empowering Youth Organisations | YEPA project proviene da Youth Networks.

In our modern world, artificial intelligence (AI) has become a regular part of our daily experiences. It’s very important to understand how AI influences different aspects of our lives, particularly in the education.

AI will be transforming education and training for students, teachers, and school staff.

It can play a significant role in reducing the number of students leaving school prematurely and can step in to assist with learning difficulties.

Teachers will also benefit greatly from AI integration, as it provides support through tailored or personalised learning tools.

AI has the potential to revolutionise education by fostering inclusivity and addressing unique learning requirements for students and educators alike.

For this reason it is extremely important to understand its operation, its impact and learn to use it in a correct way.

The Ethical Guidelines on the use of AI by the EU commission

The European Commission has put together guidelines with the aim of assisting teachers and educators in comprehending AI and data utilisation in education.

The goal is to not only provide insights into the positive impacts that AI and data can have in teaching and learning but also to raise awareness about potential risks associated with these technologies.

Essentially, these guidelines serve as a resource to empower educators with knowledge about the responsible and ethical use of AI and data in the educational setting.

The aim of the guidelines

The guidelines are like a helpful tool for every youth worker, especially those who are new to using AI. They use real examples to:

• Show how AI is used in schools
• Assist teachers and students in their teaching and learning
• Support the systems and processes in schools
• Talk about the ethical things to think about when using AI, which are the rules the guidelines are based on

For more information you can watch this video summary:

Discover more about the initiative

If you are interested in learning more about this topic and believe that this guide can be useful visit the official website of the European Comtmission to download it for free!

For more information on the program and how it took place visit the website of the initiative.

Read also

Reinforced Youth Guarantee | Youth Employment and Education

Join the UN Youth Delegate Programme

L'articolo How to Use AI in Education | The Guidelines proviene da Youth Networks.

Do you know who is a “UN Youth Delegate” and what they do?

They are young people who participate in the meetings of the United Nations, through an initiative that aims to involve young people more in the United Nations’ work.

Each country in the programme chooses one or more young individuals to represent them at meetings. The selection process and responsibilities vary by country.

Currently, 22 EU Member States are part of this programme. Unlike the UN and African Union, the European Union doesn’t have youth representatives.

The UN Youth Delegates engage in important youth discussions at the UN. They also speak up for young people’s rights in Europe, and expand the EU’s youth representation globally.

The aims of the project

The programme aims to improve EU coordination and representation on youth matters and more at the United Nations.

It will help carry out the EU Youth Strategy 2019-2027 and the 2020 EU Council Conclusions on Youth in global actions by promoting dialogue between different generations and cultures and involving youth in policy decisions.

Additionally, a network of alumni will be created to connect youth delegates over the years.

The tasks of a youth delegate differ by country but usually involve giving advice to their delegation on youth-related matters and getting involved in their delegation’s activities, like going to meetings and informal discussions.

Youth delegates can join various United Nations meetings, with many taking part in the General Assembly. Some also attend specific commissions of the Economic and Social Council.

How to become a Youth Delegade?

Some countries already pick young representatives through specific programmes.

You can find out if your country has such a programme by reaching out to government bodies like the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Youth Council, or United Nations Associations.

If your country doesn’t have a programme for choosing a youth delegate, you can try to convince your country that having a youth representative at the UN General Assembly is important.

If they agree, the responsible body needs to start the process of selecting a youth delegate.

Discover more about the initiative

If you want to learn more about this topic and would like to become a Youth Delegate visit the official website for more information!

Read also

Erasmus Plus 2024 Annual Work Programme

2024 Annual Work Programme | Highlights on the Differences With 2023 Edition

L'articolo Join the UN Youth Delegate Programme proviene da Youth Networks.

According to Regulation (EU) 2021/817, the Erasmus+ Programme serves as a pivotal instrument for fostering the educational, professional, and personal development of individuals in education, training, youth, and sport across Europe and beyond. The program’s general objective is to contribute to sustainable growth, quality jobs, social cohesion, innovation, and the reinforcement of European identity and active citizenship. Aligned with the European Pillar of Social Rights and the European Skills Agenda, the program has specific objectives focusing on learning mobility, cooperation, quality, inclusion, creativity, and innovation in education, training, youth, and sport.

Key Actions and Objectives of Erasmus+

The Erasmus+ Programme is structured around key actions (KA1, KA2, KA3), including learning mobility, cooperation among organizations, support to policy development, and Jean Monnet actions. The program’s architecture, now streamlined for Sport activities, mirrors the structure for Education and Training and Youth chapters. This stability ensures continuity from the previous 2014-2020 program while aiming to increase impact. The program’s scope covers all education and training sectors, spanning school education, vocational education and training, higher education, adult learning, youth, and sport, contributing to the realization of a cohesive European Education Area.

L'articolo Erasmus Plus 2024 Annual Work Programme proviene da Youth Networks.

The programme is designed to empower youth and promote solidarity, aligning with broader EU strategies such as the European Education Area, the Digital Education Action Plan, and the European Democracy Action Plan. The document outlines specific policy priorities, including fostering inclusion and diversity, promoting environmental sustainability and climate goals, embracing digital transformation, and encouraging active participation in democratic life. It highlights the various grant management mechanisms, including calls for proposals, both general and specific, which are crucial for mobilizing projects and activities in line with the program’s objectives.

Our Main Highlights in Comparison With 2023

• DiscoverEU

•  Key Action 1 Mobility Projects Budget
• Sport Activities 

• Partnership for Cooperation in the field of youth

• Partnership for Cooperation: Small-Scale Partnership

• Priorities in the field of youth: budget

• Priorities in the field of sport: budget

• Key Action 2

• Youth Participation Activities

DOWNLOAD the 2024 European Solidarity Corps Annual Work Programme.

L'articolo 2024 Annual Work Programme | Highlights on the Differences With 2023 Edition proviene da Youth Networks.

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.

Discover Safir, an ambitious initiative, supported by the European Union, striving to empower and uplift young individuals in nine countries in Northern Africa and the Middle East.

The aims of the project is to foster a nurturing environment that actively encourages the active participation of youth.

The final goal to promote the initiation and growth of entrepreneurial projects that contribute positively to social, cultural, and environmental aspects.

Read on to find out more about this project!

About the project

Safir empowers 1,000 young individuals to contribute to sustainable development goals and be active change-makers.

It encourages their involvement in community life, helps integrate them socially and economically, and supports the development of their projects.

Safir also provides training and support sessions for entrepreneurial, media, or community projects at different stages of development, collaborating with local incubators known for their expertise.

The initiative started during 2022, with the implementation of the reinforced Youth Guarantee.

Member States started implementing measures under their recovery and resilience plans targeting young people and youth employment related measures.

What has been achieved so far?

Safir wants to support sustainable and successful projects by creating a favourable environment.

It also equips higher education institutions, local incubators, and civil society organisations to help young individuals excel in the Safir project.

The final goal of the project is to build an ecosystem that nurtures projects with social, cultural, or environmental impact, showcasing regional talent and initiatives on a global scale.

The Safir project is:

• 21 civil society organisations supported to strengthen their advocacy training methodologies

• 18 innovative spaces in higher education and research institutions
• 7 local networked incubators, which contribute to the creation of a regional guide to innovative and social entrepreneurship
• 1000 young project leaders supported from 9 countries across North Africa and the Middle East

Discover more about the initiative

If you are interested in finding out more about this project, the results achieved and future initiatives visit the official website!

Read also

Reinforced Youth Guarantee | Youth Employment and Education

Capacity-Building in the field of Youth

L'articolo The Safir Project | Socio-Economic Inclusion across Africa proviene da Youth Networks.

Get to know the “Youth Guarantee”, a project to support young people in gaining work experience and developing the right skills for a changing world of work.

This initiative doesn’t have an end date and it will persist as the European Union’s primary policy framework for combating youth unemployment and inactivity.

After 2022, it will retain the substantial EU funds allocated in the 2021-2027 long-term budget and NextGenerationEU to further its mission of delivering improved outcomes for young people in Europe.

About the initiative

The Youth Guarantee represents an opportunity from every Member State to guarantee that all individuals under 30 are provided with a high-quality opportunity for:

• Employment
• Ongoing education
• Apprenticeships
• Traineeships

Within a timeframe of four months from the moment they become unemployed or conclude their education.

The initiative started during 2022, with the implementation of the reinforced Youth Guarantee.

Member States started implementing measures under their recovery and resilience plans targeting young people and youth employment related measures.

The goals of the initiative

The final goal of the project is to enhance the employability of the youth.

It aims to support individuals under 30 that want to access high-quality employment, continued education, apprenticeships, or traineeships.

In 2020, the Youth Guarantee underwent a strengthening process to better cater to the needs of young individuals.

This reinforced approach places a primary emphasis on preventing unemployment and inactivity while facilitating smoother transitions from school to work.

One of its central objectives is to support young people in acquiring valuable work experience and cultivating the necessary skills to thrive in an ever-evolving job landscape.

What has been achieved so far?

The project has already achieved excellent results, improving the difficult situation caused by the COVID pandemic which has made it difficult for many young Europeans to find employment.

Over 24 million young people who were once registered in Youth Guarantee schemes started a job, continued education and traineeships.

To learn more about the results obtained in recent years through the program we recommend you visit the official website of the initiative.

Discover more about the initiative

For more information about this initiative, its results and future objectives you can consult the official website.

Read also

Capacity-Building in the field of Youth

Youth Sounding Board | A Project for Youth Empowerment

L'articolo Reinforced Youth Guarantee | Youth Employment and Education proviene da Youth Networks.