Meeting of Directors-General for Youth

Input by Andreas Karsten & Carmen Teubl-Kiviniemi of the RAY network: Research-based analysis and Monitoring of European Youth Programmes 

• RAY transnational analysis 2014-2020
• RAY midterm evaluation 2021-2023
  

Carmen Teubl and Andreas Karsten will share the research findings of the European youth research network RAY. They will summarise key findings for the previous and the current programme generation, based on surveys of project participants and project teams with over 100.000 respondents. In their presentation, they will provide evidence for the three main areas for common reflection: democracy and values, quality and Youth work development, and operational and financial challenges.

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Input by Pieter-Jan De Graeve of SALTO Inclusion and Diversity: Inclusion in the EU youth programmes

How did the Inclusion and Diversity Strategy that was launched in 2021 contribute to making the European programmes for Youth more inclusive? In this presentation we will offer answers to this question and explore pathways for even more inclusive European youth programmes.

• Executive summary of the Research Report: Making Erasmus+ Youth and the European Solidarity Corps more inclusive
• Research Report: Making Erasmus+ Youth and the European Solidarity Corps more inclusive

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Input by Hilde Lauwers of DCJM: Transnational learning mobility for young people and youth workers in the Flemish Community. A quantitative analysis of the EU programmes Erasmus+ Youth and the European Solidarity Corps, 2007-2024

As National Authority for EU youth learning mobility programmes, the Flemish government is responsible for several tasks, including monitoring these programmes. To facilitate the further development of evidence-based and knowledge-based policies, it is necessary to gain such a comprehensive understanding of the scope and evolution of programme implementation. This ongoing analysis aims to keep its finger on the mobility pulse, present key findings and address related challenges in the future. This is a possible approach from the Member State perspective. Mutual exchange in this area can only enhance our analysis.

The association Habbekrats aims to support socially vulnerable children and youth facing structural disadvantages or poverty by providing individual, group, and structural support to enhance their opportunities and resilience while addressing mechanisms of exclusion. Habbekrats offers youth ample time and space through 19 centers, including an adventure house in the Ardennes, focusing on leisure activities, projects, and child welfare, ultimately recognized by the government for its exemplary methodology in supporting vulnerable youth and expanding its operations to other cities and organizations."

De Ambrassade operates as an expertise centre dedicated to all aspects of youth work, youth information, and youth policy. It serves as a support and networking organisation for youth initiatives across Flanders and Brussels. Additionally, it assumes the role of coordinating youth information throughout Flanders.

Furthermore, De Ambrassade acts as a vital intermediary between youth work and various policy domains that impact young individuals, including education, welfare, and employment. By fostering connections between these sectors, it ensures a holistic approach to youth development and empowerment.

Of particular significance is De Ambrassade's leadership in the Flemish Youth Council, the official advisory body to the Flemish Government on matters concerning children, youth, and their associated organisations. Through these endeavours, De Ambrassade plays a pivotal role in shaping policies and initiatives that directly influence the lives of young people in Flanders.

De Ambrassade will present their European ambitions and how they are pursuing them with the voluntary help of participatory and active young people.

JES, a youth work organization operating in Ghent, Antwerp, and Brussels, aims to empower children and youngsters in urban environments through activities, courses, and workshops, nurturing urban leaders who take initiatives to positively impact their communities. Recognizing the competencies of urban leaders, JES developed a support tool to guide young volunteers in their journey toward urban leadership, offering coaching and resources within the organization. Through initiatives like training projects, support for self-organizations, and collaboration with urban cultural leaders, JES enhances the visibility and skills of urban leaders, fostering a network of empowered young individuals dedicated to improving their cities.

Urban Foxes aims to promote sustainable, inclusive, and co-created cities by involving often overlooked stakeholders in decision-making processes through local and international projects, workshops, and tools. Their initiatives such as the Academy for Urban Action, DURF, and Placemaking for Inclusion demonstrate their methodologies in youth involvement, non-formal education, international collaboration, and urban re-imagination. These efforts have resulted in concrete outcomes such as empowered youth participation in decision-making, innovative approaches recognized by the Flemish Government, and the creation of resources to facilitate placemaking and youth work integration in urban contexts.

The ZFP initiative facilitated the engagement of 5 young women and 2 young men in gaining professional and personal development experiences, fostering independence, cultural exchange, and skill development in Belgium. Through their involvement in various processes and supporting individuals in precarious situations, they became active citizens, contributing positively to society and breaking down inhibitions, ultimately enriching the receiving organization and achieving added value as a school-based institution through intercultural exchange and collaboration with volunteers and sending organisations.

Caméra Quartier aims to provide a platform for young immigrants to engage in reflection and cross-cultural dialogue, addressing prevalent issues of discrimination in European societies to foster a deeper understanding of societal challenges and their role as European citizens. The intercultural exchange program between Belgian and Spanish youth focusing on racism serves as a valuable opportunity for participants to explore diverse cultures, discuss personal experiences, and combat prejudices and stereotypes, facilitating mutual understanding and empathy among participants from disadvantaged neighborhoods in Brussels and Murcia, many of whom have immigrant backgrounds. The exchange involves 48 participants aged 12 to 30, with equal representation of Belgians and Spanish, aiming to promote inclusivity and mobility beyond their respective communities.

Dynamo International, an NGO advocating for human rights, particularly for children living or working on the streets, operates through three main pillars: socio-educational work, international cooperation, and the Street Workers Network. The Network, facing challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, organized an International Digital Street Web Forum in 2020 to discuss the crisis's impact on marginalized populations, gathering findings, and recommendations, and hosting webinars and a press conference. This initiative underscored the exacerbated issues of poverty, exclusion, and discrimination during the pandemic, especially affecting young people aged 18 to 25, emphasizing the urgent need for mental health support among street social workers worldwide.

The "#DigitSafe-Boosting digital safe spaces and resilience" Project, aligned with EU Youth Strategy objectives, aims to empower young people to navigate the digital landscape safely, addressing challenges such as cyberbullying and privacy infringements. By focusing on Cybersecurity & Hate Speech and Security & Privacy, particularly for vulnerable youth, the project seeks to enhance digital citizenship and resilience among young people, providing practical information and competencies. Utilizing a multichannel public awareness campaign, the project aims to disseminate compiled information effectively, leveraging social media to strengthen youth's ability to make informed digital choices and understand their rights.