VOLUNTEER - KEY TO THE FUTURE

The Youth in Action Programme provides mobility projects and opportunities for young Europeans. It also promotes the development of good quality national and local initiatives involving young people.  

Youth in Action consists of several 'actions', which are divided into 'sub-actions'.  Youth Democracy Projects are sub-action 1.3, under the action 1 'Youth for Europe'.  

Youth in Action is operated by the European Commission and administrated by the National Authorities and National Agencies.

WHAT IS THE AIM OF A YOUTH DEMOCRACY PROJECT?

Youth Democracy projects aim to increase the active participation of young people in the life of their local, regional or national community or at international level by supporting their participation in international in representative democracy.

WHAT IS A YOUTH DEMOCRACY PROJECT?

Projects funded under this Action allow the creation of new networks and the exchange and dissemination of good practice in the field of youth participation and citizenship. The idea therefore of a Youth Democracy project is to recognise and support the various forms in which young people participate in their own environment, to enhance their relations of representative democracy and to help them take advantage of the available opportunities for participation. This can be achieved by projects encouraging a greater participation of young people in the mechanisms of representative democracy.

WHY DO A YOUTH DEMOCRACY PROJECT?

  1. To increase active participation of young people in their local, regional or national community and at international level
  2. To support the participation of young people in the mechanisms of representative democracy
  3. To develop a dialogue which includes disadvantaged young people and young people who are not members of organisations

WHAT ARE THE GENERAL PROJECT CRITERIA?

Participants: Young people aged between thirteen and thirty who are legally resident in a Programme Country.

Group size: There must be a minimum of 16 participants

Duration: The project, including preparation, implementation, evaluation and follow-up must be between six and eighteen months.


Source: http://www.britishcouncil.org/youthinaction-programmes-youth-democracy.htm