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Youth in Action programme

Youth in Action is the EU Programme for young people aged 15-28 (in some cases 13-30). It aims to inspire a sense of active citizenship, solidarity and tolerance among young Europeans and to involve them in shaping the Union's future.

With a total budget of €885 million for seven years (2007-2013), the Programme supports a large variety of activities for young people and youth workers through five actions.

Programme actions

Action 1: Youth for Europe

  • Encourages young people's active citizenship, participation and creativity through youth exchanges, youth initiatives and youth democracy projects.

Action 2: European Voluntary Service

  • Helps young people to develop their sense of solidarity by participating, either individually or in group, in non-profit, unpaid voluntary activities abroad.

Action 3: Youth in the World

  • Promotes partnerships and exchanges among young people and youth organisations across the world.

Action 4: Youth Support Systems

  • Includes various measures to support youth workers and youth organisations and improve the quality of their activities.

Action 5: Support for European Co-operation in the Youth field

  • Supports youth policy co-operation at European level, in particular by facilitating dialogue between young people and policy makers.

How to take part

There are two main ways to get involved in the Programme.

1. As an individual

You must be:

  • a young person aged between 13-30 or a youth worker
  • full of energy, creativity and ideas and would like to find a way to develop them
  • looking for opportunities to meet and exchange ideas and practices with other young people or youth workers from different countries
  • interested in volunteering in another country.
How to apply

Take a look at the Youth in Action Programme guide on the European Commission website. It will give you a deeper insight into the actions and types of activities that can be supported by the Programme.

Visit the Youth in Action site to download application forms.

Help applying

Get in touch with your Wales Advisory Group at katie.antippas@wales.gsi.gov.uk or see the British Council website for further information and advice.

2. As a promoter

You can be:

  • a non-governmental youth organisation
  • an informal group of young people
  • a local or regional public body
  • a body active at European level in the field of youth.

You must also be willing to develop a project and submit an application for funding under the Youth in Action Programme.

How to apply

If you would like to get involved and submit a project application for funding, the first port of call for additional information is the Youth in Action Programme Guide on the European Commission website.

Visit the Youth in Action site to download application forms.

Help applying

At every stage of the process you can get assistance, training and advice from your Wales Advisory Group at katie.antippas@wales.gsi.gov.uk and on the British Council website. Do not hesitate to contact them at any stage!

More information

You can find out more about the Youth in Action Programme on the EU website.