In recent years, youth movements, organisations and institutions have developed immensely in the new democratic countries in Europe (South Eastern Europe, Baltic and South Caucasus regions being only few examples). It is nowadays acknowledged that the ever-growing complexity and diversity of youth work requires many new qualities and features. It requires competent and motivated volunteers or staff members to secure quality and a maximisation of results. Furthermore it requires vision on behalf of the youth leaders. And finally it demands a common effort by the non-governmental organisations to build, maintain and improve the emerging civil societies. The regional perspective has been a priority for International organisations over the recent years. Too often, International organisations have stressed the importance of regional co-operation without allowing for the different concerned actors to identify and express their particular interests, motivations and needs for co-operation. This is the reason why the organisation of a study session on the topic of regional cohesion targeting youth activists is useful.

The organisers are: Intercultural Institute of Timisoara – Romania, Save the Children – Macedonia, Youth Consultative Centre – Bulgaria, European Movement Serbia – Yugoslavia, Youth Services Centre – Turkey. They propose this study session on the basis of two previous steps of the long-term project “Youth in South Eastern Europe”: the Round Table “Social Youth Policy” in September 2000 and the Seminar “Regional Youth Policy” in October 2001. Both these activities took place in Kyustendil, Bulgaria, with the support of the European Youth Foundation and produced booklets in English, available from any of the co-organisers, from the European Youth Foundation (Strasbourg) or on-line at www.SEEyouth.net.

At this study session, in comparison with the two previous activities, idea is to include experiences from the youth organisations active in the South Caucasus and Baltic regions. In that manner, young NGO activists will exchange their opinions and experiences based on the work in different regions and therefore contribute in the work started by the project “Youth in South Eastern Europe”.

Main Aim of the Study Session: "Regional Cohesion in Youth NGOs’ Work"

The main aim of this study session is to empower the youth NGO activists to connect and learn from each other experiences by exploring the challenge(s) / need(s) for developing a regional cohesion among youth NGOs.

As for all regular Council of Europe’s study sessions, the programme is designed for six full working days. The study session will take place in the European Youth Centre - Budapest, February 2-9, 2003.

Furthermore, this study session will look more closely at regional youth activities, such as seminars, exchanges and training courses. Following the questions of why and how to organise youth activities and co-operate at regional and cross-border levels, this study session will focus on the process of co-operation and encourage reflection on intercultural learning, exchange of good practices and experiences.

Core Objectives

o formal / informal networking

o support of national / regional youth activities

Methodology

The whole study session is planned as a mutual learning situation based on participants' experiences in youth work, with emphasis on developing these experiences, through active participation, group and team work and learning-by-doing, all forming the methodological foundations of the study session.

Language

English is the working language of the study session. However, to better evaluate the participants' language capacities, candidates are requested to state in their application forms all the languages in which they are able to work. Candidates have to speak the working language in order to take an active participation on the study session.

Profile of Participants

Participants who are active members of Youth Organisations (NGYOs including International ones), National Youth Councils, grass-roots initiatives and youth organisations, the other partners and who are (or intend to be) responsible for organising youth activities at European or regional level will be selected for this study session.

In general, the candidates should be:

Educational Team of the study session

The educational team of the study session is composed by:

Application Procedure and Selection of Participants

All candidates have to apply using the enclosed application form. This form should be sent directly to the Intercultural Institute Timisoara, Romania, by 31 December 2002 (see the address below).

The preparatory team will make the selection of participants on the basis of the motivation, perceived training needs, experience and potential for multiplication by individual candidates. In addition, the team will try to ensure a balance between gender, geographical regions and different types of experiences, cultural backgrounds and organisations.

Enrolment Fee, Travel, Costs of the Course and Compensation for Loss of Earnings

Board and lodging are provided and paid for by the Directorate of Youth and Sport. Travel expenses and visa fees (on presentation of the relevant receipts) are reimbursed according to Directorate of Youth and Sport rules. Payment will be made at the end of the course, in cash. The participants will be requested to travel in the most economic manner (group travel, apex fares reductions for young persons and so on). An enrolment fee of 43 € per participant will be deducted from the amount to be reimbursed for travel expenses. The Directorate of Youth and Sport operates a system of compensation for cost of living for young workers and young unemployed who are obliged to take unpaid leave in order to attend this activity - further details are sent at a later stage to those participants accepted.