The Youth in Action programme provides young people from all educational, social and cultural backgrounds and those working in the youth sector with a variety of opportunities for non-formal learning.
Youth in Action gives funding to:
- support young people to develop new skills to boost their CVs;
- engage and include young people in non-formal learning to encourage active participation in society;
- build the capacity of your organisation, through the exchange of practice and expertise with international partners.
The Youth in Action programme is funded by the European Union and managed in the UK by the British Council.
To find out how you can get involved, please visit the Youth in Action website.
If you are a young person aged between 13 and 30 or working with this age group, a local or regional public body or a not for profit organisation, you can apply to run a Youth in Action project.
There are a number of opportunities you can get involved in:
Youth Exchanges
Youth Exchanges bring together groups of young people (supported by youth workers/leaders) from two or more countries. They provide groups with the opportunity to meet, discuss and explore themes such as racism, gender equality and the environment, whilst learning about each other’s countries and cultures.
Youth Initiatives
A Youth Initiative is a community project run by and for young people themselves to develop their skills and employability. Project ideas should come from and be developed by the participating young people, although coaching support can be funded.
Youth Democracy Projects
Youth Democracy Projects aim to increase the active participation of young people within their local, regional or national communities or at international level, by supporting their participation in democratic life.
Volunteering
Young people can volunteer in another country for periods of between two weeks and 12 months, learning new skills and a new language, in projects that benefit the community. Organisations can host volunteers from other countries or send UK volunteers abroad, enhancing the European and international level of their work.
Co-operation with the Neighbouring Countries of the European Union
Youth in Action also supports Youth Exchanges and Training and Networking projects between the Youth in Action programme countries and the neighbouring countries of South-East Europe (SEE), Eastern Europe and the Caucasus (EECA) and the Mediterranean area (Euro-Med).
Training and Networking
For those involved in youth activities, Training and Networking offers the opportunity to prepare and develop projects for Youth in Action and learn more about youth work in other countries.
Transnational Youth Seminars and National Youth Meetings
Transnational Youth Seminars and National Youth Meetings aim to facilitate structured dialogue between young people, youth workers and youth organisations and those responsible for youth policy.
The number of application deadlines for Youth in Action has reduced from five to three in 2012:
- 1 February 2012 (for projects starting between 1 May 2012 and 31 October 2012)
- 1 May 2012 (for projects starting between 1 August 2012 and 31 January 2013)
- 1 October 2012 (for projects starting between 1 January 2013 and 30 June 2013)
For full details about applying please click here.
If you have any questions or would like to talk about your application, then the British Council has dedicated Information Providers in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland who can support you in developing your application.
Please click here for full contact details.
Skopje’s many voices
Culture and creativity combined in a Youth in Action programme, European Voluntary Service (EVS) project which sent nine volunteers to Skopje, FYR Macedonia; with a mission to not only create a monthly magazine, but also to play a part in healing division in the local community.
Macedonian and Albanian communities in Skopje usually lead very separate lives. The idea of Voices magazine was to bring them together to produce their own publication.
Voices was translated into three different languages; Macedonian, Albanian and English and was circulated to young people throughout the capital.
Throughout the project volunteers also had the chance to work with disadvantaged youngsters in the SOS Children’s Village and at the daily centre which was attended by Roma children. Children had the opportunity to participate in workshops such as music, photography and English classes.
Working with these disadvantaged children was often used as inspiration for some of the features in the magazine and gave volunteers an insight into some of the issues facing the community. “I was surprised to learn that there wasn't an integrated education system in the country, that many Albanians living in FYR Macedonia cannot speak Macedonian” says Christopher Fleming from Derry-Londonderry who was the UK representative on the project.
“I realised that Skopje as a city is not unlike parts of my own country, where there are two separate communities, whose religion and ideologies are diametrically opposed.”
This experience gave volunteers an opportunity to learn and to teach. Producing a lifestyle magazine improved their journalistic, design and publishing skills. However, the real experience came from bringing a community together, sharing ideas and teaching young children.
The European Voluntary Service offers young people (18-30) the opportunity to volunteer abroad for free, primarily in Europe, for a period of two weeks to twelve months.
For more information see: http://www.britishcouncil.org/youthinaction-programmes-evs.htm
Youth in Action Programme Guide
