Do you want to learn more about topics such as youth in global politics, green transition, public diplomacy and youth engagement, disinformation, defence, the promotion of peace and security, and human rights?

These were some of the topics discussed during the policy dialogue during the celebration of the European Year of Youth 2022.

High Representative/vice-president, Josep Borrell organised a conference in which 18 young people from all over Europe participated and shared their views on the EU foreign policy.

If you could not attend the event read on to find out what were the results of the discussion. You can also find more information about the event on the official website.

The objectives of the dialogue

The conference focused mainly on the following topics:

1. Host a platform where the young leaders of tomorrow could present and discuss with the HR/VP youth initiatives that play (or could play) a role in foreign affairs.
2. Bring together young experts and today’s policy makers, forging a constructive dialogue on the future of the European Union in the world.
3. Discuss the role of youth on EU foreign affairs and share a young vision for the future of the EU and youth in global politics, as the leaders of tomorrow.

The event was a useful opportunity to share views among participants and create new guidelines for future decisions.

Take aways from the dialogue

At the end of the event participants could draw some final decisions that the EU commission will use in the future for new youth policies.

These were the take aways from the dialogue:

1. A youth approach to EU Foreign Policy, including Security and Defence. A few people brought up the point that security encompasses more than just military activities and can also refer to more general topics like social welfare, economy, and climate change.
2. Youth participation in External Action. The EU should further encourage youth participation in EU external policies and actions. It is important to implement programs like the EU Youth Action Plan.
3. Cultural exchanges between Europe and the World. Participants discussed on how culture is much more than just the arts or literature. It encompasses customs, ancestry, understanding between people, history, and knowledge in general. In order to do this, cultural diplomacy is crucial. Participants commented programs like Erasmus+ for serving as a model of are useful to achieve these goals.
4. Living conditions of youth worldwide. It is very important that the youth perspective are taken into account in all policy goals, including EU external activity.

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Are you interested in incorporating young people into your international activities? Do you want to learn about funding opportunities for your local projects? Join the SALTO Seminar on European Solidarity Corps: Activating Citizens – Municipalities/Local Authorities Making Use of the European Solidarity Corps.

The seminar will take place online on 13-20 June 2023 from 9:30 to 15:00 CET and is hosted by the Cyprus National Agency for E+ and ESC, the SALTO European Solidarity Corps Resource Centre, and the European Goes Local network. If you want to know more, keep reading!

Overview of the Seminar

The main aim of the seminar is to motivate and support municipalities to make use of the European Solidarity Corps Programme as a tool for social cohesion and solidarity. The seminar will explore how to bring sustainable added value to the local community by supporting the active engagement of young people in voluntary activities or solidarity projects.

The SALTO Seminar on European Solidarity Corps will:

– Present the funding opportunities of the new European Solidarity Corps Programme 2021-2027 to demonstrate how the programme works in practice.

– Highlight inspiring examples from Cyprus, other European countries, and the partner regions that illustrate how municipalities and their youngsters can benefit from the European Solidarity Corps.

– Showcase how volunteering within the European Solidarity Corps can foster social innovation, inclusion and can lead to a sustainable added value in communities.

– Offer space for networking, exchange of good practices and counseling through group work sessions.

– Present other opportunities for municipalities such as Erasmus+ and CERV that want to strengthen their existing networks through involving the young generation will be part of the seminar as well.

Target Group and Application Procedure

This seminar is recommended for a diverse range of participants including youth workers, leaders and project managers, policy makers, as well as representatives from municipalities, local authorities and youth councils and clubs.

This Seminar is for 30 participants from Erasmus+ Youth Programme countries Austria, Belgium – DE, Belgium – FL, Belgium – FR, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia. If you’re interested in participating, you can submit your application until 23/05/2023. The deadline to apply is 23 May 2023.

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ESC Buddy-Support System: SALTO SEE’s Measure for Western Balkans

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SALTO SEE has launched a new buddy-support system to help organisations from the Western Balkans (WB) to participate in the European Solidarity Corps (ESC). This measure is designed to support the quality and quantity of volunteering projects and matches two organisations to collaborate on peer support and activate accredited organisations in the WB.

Enhancing quality and enhancing partnership creation are the two main aspects of this measure. It addresses the needs of both experienced and less experienced organisations from the WB and ESC participating countries. Read on to find out more about this exciting support measure from SALTO SEE.

SALTO SEE’s ESC Buddy-Support System

The buddy-support system includes a series of online meetings and physical visits between organisations. The process begins with match-making to establish each Buddy Support Team, which then works individually during July and August. The timeframe for the implementation of the measure is June – September 2023.

Financial stimulation is also available in the form of a 400 EUR support for the experienced organisation. Once the measure is fully implemented, the experienced organisation is required to send a final report consolidated by both partners to claim the fee.

Interested organisations can apply by filling out an application form by May 12, 2023. For more information, you can contact andrej.troha@movit.si.

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The increasing focus on environmental sustainability in the Erasmus+ Programme brings attention to the challenges faced by young people with fewer opportunities (YPWFO). 

The Seminar Green Inclusion aimed to explore the intersection of environmental sustainability and inclusion for YPWFO. Hosted by SALTO Inclusion & Diversity, the Netherlands Youth Institute, BIj and Jugend für Europa, the seminar aimed to start discussions on the meaning of Green Inclusion and find common ground between the two European horizontal priorities.

About the report

The “Green Inclusion” report presents a collection of inputs gathered during the seminar held in Amersfoort, Netherlands, from 15 to 18 November 2022. The report aims to spread the discussions, recommendations, and outputs to a wider audience, promoting research, training, networking, political advocacy, and more projects for young people. 

The seminar had 36 participants from 11 countries and focused on understanding the struggles of YPWFO and the barriers they experience in participating in green projects.

The report is structured in eight sections, each focusing on a specific aspect. You can read each section independently. The document offers solutions for organisations and projects to create further activity, strategy, and development.

Click here to read the full Green Inclusion Report.

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TOSCA Training for European Solidarity Corps Organisations

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JUGEND für Europa is organising a training course called TOSCA that will take place from June 12th to 16th, 2023 in Bonn, Germany. This training activity is designed to enhance the capacities of organisations that are actively involved in volunteering actions of the European Solidarity Corps, with the aim of ensuring quality and impact in their respective projects. 

Objectives of the TOSCA Training Course

The course will cover various topics, including:

• Foster understanding, awareness and commitment to core quality criteria of the European Solidarity Corps;
• Build up competencies on how to design and implement European Solidarity Corps projects with a view to quality;
• Ensure clarity and support on how the programme works formally: opportunities, guidelines, structures, priorities, rules, and procedures;
• Give space to participants to express burning issues and needs and offer support where possible;
• Foster a supportive community of organisations involved in the European Solidarity Corps;

Participants will also have to complete an obligatory online preparatory phase before attending the course, where they will form a community of learners and carry out initial assessments of their organisation, local community, and needs. The organisers have yet to determine the date for the online preparatory phase and meeting.

Eligibility Criteria for TOSCA Training Course

To be eligible for the training, applicants should meet the following requirements: being involved in the Volunteering Actions in European Solidarity Corps Programme; being connected to organisations/institutions holding a Quality Label for Volunteering; have a crucial role in providing high-quality activities, ensuring a positive impact of volunteering activities within their community, and creating learning opportunities within the organisation and for volunteers. The application deadline is 20 April 2023, you can visit the official SALTO website to find out more!

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YOUCAN | Transnational Project Meeting in Brussels

Youthpass Overview 2022

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The BiTriMulti Training Course is a comprehensive program designed to support newcomers in setting up and running quality Youth Exchange projects. The course is aimed at voluntary and professional youth workers, leaders, and project managers who work directly with young people. In this article, we will discuss the Training Course, its objectives, program, and eligibility requirements.

BiTriMulti Training Course Objectives

This Training Course provides an introduction to the Erasmus+ Youth Programme and focuses on the Youth Exchange project type. Through workshops, info sessions, and simulation exercises, participants will learn how to involve young people in planning and running such projects. Moreover, the course offers an individual and group learning experience, based on non-formal learning practices, principles, and quality standards of EU youth programs. Participants will gain the necessary knowledge, skills, and attitudes to organise a Youth Exchange project and reflect on their learning using a Youthpass.

Program

The BiTriMulti Training Course is a three-day learning-by-doing experience that includes a simulation exercise, workshops, activities to improve group dynamics, and an evaluation. The Network of National Agencies for Erasmus+ is organising the course in Liechtenstein from 1-5 May 2023.

Conclusion

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Are you a trainer in the youth field looking to improve your training programs? Join the online Youthpass workshop for trainers, which offer a unique opportunity to enhance your skills and competencies. The fourth and last workshop of the series will focus on “how to support writing self-assessment” and will take place on March 6th, 2023, on Zoom.

Now, let’s see closer what the workshop will be about!

Overview of the workshop

Erasmus+ Youth and the European Solidarity Corps use the Youthpass tool for recognition. It involves reflection and self-assessment of competencies. Despite that, its use in training can be improved. To address this issue, online Youthpass workshops have been developed for trainers. These workshops offer a breakdown of the Youthpass process, tools, and methods to implement it in training. Additionally, they provide inspiration and solutions to the challenges that trainers face. For more info on Youthpass, visit the official page.

Back to the workshop that will take place on March 6th, you will have the opportunity to be involved in several activities! Just to give an example:

• you will engage in reflections and discussions on the effectiveness of self-assessment and how to integrate it into your training programs; 
• You will have the chance to learn playful and hands-on tools and methods that you can apply to your own practice; 
• exchange ideas with other trainers; 
• receive tips and tricks on how to make the most of the learning journey in a training activity;

Trainers in the youth field can join the workshop regardless of their experience level, and will be held in English. To have more information, please visit the official website of the event. Moreover, the workshops will not be recorded, so don’t miss this unique opportunity to enhance your training programs. Join the workshop by registering here and get ready to improve your skills and competencies as a trainer. 

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ID Talks, in collaboration with the Mental Health in Youth Work project, announces 2023 as the “Year of Mental Health” with two editions: “Understanding Mental Health” in the spring and “Discovering Mental Health Practices” in the autumn.

The ID Talks series consists of five individual online workshops, each lasting up to 90 minutes, featuring inspiring guest speakers and thought-provoking discussions. ID Talks focuses on mental health to promote inclusion & well-being for young people.

Let’s take a closer look at ID Talks now!

The Spring 2023 Edition

Mental health and wellbeing are at the core of European Youth Goals and the EU Youth Strategy, but a growing number of young people are expressing concern over the prevalence of mental health issues such as stress, anxiety, and depression. The ‘Mental Health in Youth Work’ project, in partnership with SALTO Inclusion & Diversity Resources Centre, aims to raise awareness and develop mental health literacy and competences in youth workers.

ID Talks Spring 2023 offers 5 online workshops on youth mental health & well-being to improve understanding of the connection with quality youth work.

ID Talks will take place every other Wednesday at 1 PM CET from February 15 through April 12. The schedule is as follows

• 15 February: “Mental Health Explained” with guest speaker Maria Agorastou, Greece
• 1 March: “Climate-Change Anxiety” with guest speaker Anna Pribil, Austria
• 15 March: “Social-Media Addiction” with guest speaker Katja Mankinen, Sosped Fondation, Finland
• 29 March: “Supporting Young People’s Wellbeing” with guest speaker Ana Perović, Serbia
• 12 April: “Youth-Workers Wellbeing” with guest speaker Natalja Gudakovska, Latvia

Each workshop will begin with input from a guest speaker, followed by a discussion, Q&A session, and the opportunity for participants to share their own experiences. Check the Facebook event for more details.

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The European Year of Skills 2023: Empowering Youth with Soft Skills Development

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The green and digital transitions are offering new opportunities for people and the EU economy. Nowadays, skilled employees have better job opportunities and are more able to participate fully in society. Yet, many people are still unaware of the sector’s advancements and innovations.

To fill this gap, the European Commission has proposed 2023 as the European Year of Skills: this will be a chance to support lifelong learning, green and digital transitions. The project aims to assist companies and advance education, training, and upskilling opportunities.

The Importance of Skilled Workers

With the goal of meeting its 2030 social objectives, the European Union has launched a new initiative that will not only increase the participation of adults in training and work, but also support the achievement of the 2030 Digital Compass objectives. 

The European Year of Skills 2023 emphasises the value of soft skills in the workplace. Therefore, before discussing the EU initiatives for the European Year of Skills, it would be beneficial to familiarize oneself with the Glore Network, a platform that certifies volunteer’s soft skills.

What is Glore Network?

The GloRe platform recognizes foreign and local volunteers to be recognised for the soft skills they have gained by volunteering, through a certification, and it includes 26 e-learning courses to aid in assessing these skills. 

The GloRe Network, the platform’s parent organisation, strives to expand its reach globally and offer a flexible and reliable certification with worldwide recognition. The certification process, consisting of the Participation Certificate, GloRe Soft Skills Certificate, and Professional Statement, is available at no cost for volunteers in network organisations.

If you want to know more about the Glore Network, please visit the official website.

EU Initiatives to Support Skills Development

To improve skills development, the European Commission, in collaboration with several actors, will support:

• Increasing effective and inclusive investment in training and skill development;
• Ensure applicable skills for labour market demands through collaboration with social partners and businesses;
• Matching talents and goals with work possibilities, particularly for green and digital transitions and economic recovery;
• Attracting skills and talent from third-world nations via improving learning opportunities, mobility, and qualification recognition:

The European Year of Skills 2023 provides a chance for people all around Europe to focus on improving their technical and soft skills. Individuals can take advantage of this year’s resources and activities to invest in their futures and position themselves for success. 

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The European Commission has launched a 12-week public consultation to assess the effect and implementation of Europass, a framework that delivers online tools and information to individuals to help them with their lifelong learning and career management. 

The consultation will collect information regarding the impact of Europass on the European labour market and lifelong learning initiatives, as well as assist the Commission in improving its services.

Objective of the Public Consultation

The public feedback will help to inform the ongoing assessment of the Europass Decision between 2018 and 2022. Its major goal is to collect evidence regarding Europass’s influence on the European job market and lifelong learning policy. Participant’s feedback will assist the Commission in further improving Europass services.

Everyone can participate, including:

• Europass end-users such as learners, employees, job seekers, and volunteers;
• stakeholders such as education and training providers, employers, public employment agencies, non-governmental organisations, and policymakers;
• EU stakeholder groups and operational partners are also encouraged to contribute.

Simply fill out the online form on the Commission’s “Have your say” page to participate in the consultation. The questionnaire is available in every language spoken in the EU.

The public consultation will end on February 28, 2023.

This is a fantastic chance for anyone who have used Europass to share their experiences and offer the Commission with significative input. The consultation outcomes will help to shape Europass’s future and guarantee that it continues to suit the demands of its users. So, if you have something to say about Europass, now is your chance!

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