With the objective of promoting active citizenship, tolerance and mutual understanding between young people, the EU youth programmes have supported two main actions since they started in 1988: youth exchanges between groups for a period of up to 21 days, and individual voluntary service where young people can spend up to 12 months carrying out civic work in another country.
The Youth in Action Programme was adopted by the European Union on 15 November 2006 and incorporated into the EEA Agreement on 16 June 2007, with a total EEA budget of EUR 885 million. The programme aims to promote active citizenship by encouraging young the participation of young people in the democratic life of Europe, and by fostering mobility, intercultural learning, initiative, enterprise and creativity within a framework of non-formal (out of school) learning. A central part of the programme is also directed towards young people with fewer opportunities such as those with disabilities. The second objective is to develop solidarity and promote tolerance by giving young people the opportunity to express their personal commitment through voluntary activities. In the context of the objective to foster mutual understanding, the programme supports intercultural dialogue and contributes to supporting structures for young people, youth workers and youth organisations. Another general objective is to contribute to the development of the quality of support systems (training, youth information, networks) for youth activities and the capabilities of civil society organisations in the youth field. Specifically, this action facilitates the recognition of young people's non-formal learning. Finally, the programmes promote European cooperation in the youth field by encouraging the exchange of good practice through the open method of coordination (OMC).
The Youth in Action Programme has five actions:
Youth for Europe supports exchanges between youth groups from different countries and backgrounds, who meet to discuss, perform common activities and exchange experiences. The exchanges can be based on themes such as art, sport or the environment. This action also encourages young people's own initiatives, stimulating independence, creativity and entrepreneurship among young people.
European Voluntary Service supports young people to spend up to one year in a country other than their own to participate in civic activities as voluntary workers. These activities could be in the field of the environment, culture and youth and child activities.
Youth in the World supports projects between young people in the EU and in neighbouring countries such as Russia and the Western Balkans.
Youth Supports Systems supports bodies active at the European level in the field of youth, in particular the operation of youth non-governmental organisations (YNGOs) and their networking. This action also supports the work of the EU Youth Forum, the training of youth workers and youth leaders, youth information activities and projects fostering quality and innovation in youth work.
Support for European Cooperation in the Youth Field organises structured dialogue between the various actors in the field of youth, in particular young people themselves, those active in youth work, youth organisations and policy makers. This action supports youth seminars, networks and policy cooperation in the youth field, for example with the Council of Europe.
The Youth in Action Programme includes the Euro-Mediterranean partner countries. It also supports international cooperation activities with south east Europe, eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Latin America.
Two initiatives have supplemented EU actions in the field of youth and contributed to the development of EU youth programmes:
The White Paper on Youth: In 2001, following extensive consultations with representatives of youth organisations in Europe, including the EEA EFTA States, the European Commission published a white paper on "A New Impetus for European Youth", a policy document that was used to define future EU activities in the field of youth, in particularly the Youth in Action Programme. The white paper also strengthens cooperation through the OMC. Indeed, one of the objectives of the programme is to promote European cooperation in the youth field by encouraging the exchange of good practice and collaboration between administrations and policy makers at all levels. Here, the identification of existing knowledge relating to the priorities in the field of youth is established under the OMC. The white paper set in motion OMC processes under four priorities: to promote participation, information, voluntary activities on the part of young people and greater knowledge of the youth.
European Youth Pact: At its spring summit in March 2005, the European Council adopted a European Pact for Youth as part of its revised Lisbon Strategy refocusing on growth and employment. The main objective of the Youth Pact is to improve school education and vocational training, mobility, the integration of young people into the workplace and social inclusion. At the same time, the aim is for young people to have a better work-life balance.
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