Youth | Science | Society
Today, young people across Europe and the Western Balkans are facing diverse challenges and youth work in all its forms can serve as a catalyst for empowerment. The Western Balkans and the EU moreover share a demographic issue, albeit in a different sense: on the one hand, the so-called “brain drain” of highly skilled workers damages the economies and societies in the WBs, while on the other hand, the EU is facing an increased ageing of the population.
Through its policies, the EU aims to give young people more equal opportunities in education and the job market, and to make sure they can participate fully in all areas of society. This is achieved through various means, notably by engaging in dialogue with young people and by fostering exchange, participation and skills development.
The EU Youth Strategy represents the framework for EU youth policy cooperation 2019 – 2027. The EU Youth Strategy focuses on three core areas of action around the three words:
- Engage: The EU Youth Strategy aims towards a meaningful civic, economic, social, cultural and political participation of young people.
- Connect: Young people in Europe are getting more and more connected. Relations, connections, and exchange of experience are a pivotal asset for solidarity and the future development of the European Union. This connection is best fostered through different forms of mobility.
- Empower: Empowerment of young people means encouraging them to take charge of their own lives.
The EU Youth Strategy is based on several instruments, such as mutual learning activities, Future National Activities Planners, the EU Youth Dialogue, the EU Youth Strategy Platform, and evidence-based tools.
The year 2021 marked the beginning of the new seven-year cycle of the EU programmes in the field of youth, namely the Erasmus+ Programme, youth chapter, and the European Solidarity Corps. The new Programmes are built on the achievements and good practices, but are also introducing new opportunities for young people and organisations working with them, for the development of youth work and European cooperation. Both Programmes emphasise the international dimension, providing opportunities also for young people and actors in the field of youth in the Programme’s Partner countries.
2022 was proclaimed the European Year of Youth (EYY 2022) by the European Parliament and the Council, in order to Renewing the positive perspectives for young people, while highlighting how the green and digital transitions and other Union policies offer opportunities for young people. Tirana is the European Youth Capital for 2022. Under the slogan "Activate Youth", the city put in place a rich programme, featuring more than 100 events aiming at promoting volunteerism, empowering youth organisations, and creating networks and synergies among young people from all over Europe.
News
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[Document Announcement] WBAA Tracer Study
After more than three years and huge efforts, dedication and collaboration by WBAA volunteers from the Research Team, the Institute for Advanced Studies in Vienna, Austria, the Service Provider for WBAA...
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[Call Announcement] Call for candidates to develop youth-led research in the Western Balkans
What are the linkages between youth development, gender equality, and social cohesion challenges? Lattanzio KIBS launches a call for candidates to develop youth-led research in Albania, Bosnia and ...
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[Call Announcement] Western Balkans Fellowship Programme at the Austrian Parliament
The Austrian parliament is looking for the 6 best applicants from the WB6 National Parliaments, who want to shape the regional and European collaboration by using their knowledge and enthusiasm in applying...
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Events
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Tourism & Sport Fair - 19th edition
The Tourism and Sports Fair is a perfect place for creating networks with professionals from the tourism and sports industry in the Balkans For 19 years, CEO as the leading fairs...
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Info session: Erasmus+ Sport 2023
Join the Erasmus+ Sport programme in 2023 The European Commission and the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) organise the Erasmus+ Sport Info...
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The European Commission funds excellent young researchers across the EU and abroad through the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, allowing them to study a topic in depth that they care about. Science ...
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Organisations
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European Youth Foundation (of the CoE)
The European Youth Foundation (EYF) is a fund established in 1972 by the Council of Europe to provide financial and educational support for European youth activities. Only youth NGOs from the 46 ...
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Coordinating Committee for International Voluntary Service
The CCIVS is an International Non Governmental Org. engaged in the field of International Voluntary Service, created under the aegis of UNESCO in 1948  ...
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About the European Youth Forum The vision of the European Youth Forum is to be the voice of young people in Europe, where young people are equal citizens and are encouraged and supported to achieve...
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Calls
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1st Call for WBAA Projects 2023
The possibility for WBAA members to implement their own projects is an essential and relevant task of WBAA to achieve the objectives of WBAA. With WBAA Projects, WBAA members not only get the chance to...
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Call for Nominations: Kosovo Trustbuilding Awards
Kosovo Trustbuilding Platform is pleased to open the call for nominations for the 2023 KTP Award. This year three prizes will be awarded to outstanding trustbuilders in the following categories: ...
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Call for applications – European Master’s Programme in Human Rights and Democratisation (EMA)
The Global Campus of Human Rights is pleased to announce that the call for applications for the European Master’s Programme in Human Rights and Democratisation (EMA) is now open!EMA...
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Documents
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WBAA report on the first four years
A report on the “history” of WBAA and its objective, structure and activities since 2018 was published. This report shows how WBAA contributes to the regional exchange of EU alumni, the promotion of mobility...
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PDIA in the Balkans: The Western Balkans Alumni Association (WBAA) as Positive Deviance
This chapter aims to portray why and how WBAA, as an organism, organization, entity, agent, actor, network, … produces emergent effects as a regional entity is a Positive Deviance, as recognized in theory...
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Working group on schools (2021-25) “pathways to school success” Blended learning - as defined in 2021 Council Recommendation on this subject - is a mix of various learning environments and (non-)digital...
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Links
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The HISTOLAB Digital Hub aims at bridging the breach between the state-of-the-art in academic history and history education within the classroom and outside it. It aims at promoting a history education...
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Education and Training Monitor 2022
Progress towards EU-level targets The Education and Training Monitor's comparative report tracks progress towards achieving the EU-level targets agreed as part of the EEA strategic framework. Seven...
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Publications of the SALTO SEE Centre
The publications address several topics related to youth work and youth policy in the Western Balkans as well as international cooperation. Take a look and see what suits your needs!
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Projects
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In the frame of the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme (CERV) of the European Union, ERIAC is launching a new project: ERIACNET4EU: ERIAC NETWORK TO ADVANCE ROMA INCLUSION BY COMBATTING AND...
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Transnational History Education and Co-operation Laboratory – HISTOLAB
The cooperation with the EU Commission’s Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture (DG EAC), was shaped into a joint project “Transnational History Education and Cooperation Laboratory...
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Enhancing language education in cross-border vocational education
The promotion of language learning plays a particularly important role in border regions, especially in professional and vocational education. The project will focus on innovative processes which facilitate...
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