How do young passionate people full of ideas can pursue their goals? Does the European Union offer any alternative for those who don’t know what to do in their spare time? We asked Karolina Rutkowska – a specialist in Promotion and Information at the National Agency for Youth in Action Programme.

Please, tell us about the programme “Youth in Action”. How long have we had it in Poland and how popular is it? Who can join the programme?

“Youth in Action” is the EU programme to promote and support young peoples’ projects realized in their free time, which means that it’s a programme which supports non-formal education. The programme is planned for the period 2007-2013, but it was developed earlier. Its previous, 7-year edition was closed in December 2006  – it was the programme YOUTH, based on the experience of two other programmes: “Youth for Europe” and “European Voluntary Services” The programme is very popular. In 2006, 1292 projects with 13 750 participants got support (figures from January 1st, 2007). The programme is aimed, first of all, at young people of the age of 13-30, and at youth workers and trainers. 

Action 1 – “Youth for Europe”. Within this action young people can realize exchange projects. What is the Action about?

Generally speaking, the exchange is about the meeting of two, three or more youth groups from different countries, interested in the same subject. Of course, the meetings of school students can be organized within school exchanges, but such exchanges are supported by other programmes. The Action 1 exchange is very special because it has to be performed after school hours, has to refer to the young peoples’ interests, meet the programme priorities, and the participation of the whole class is not a must – 8 participants from Poland and 8 from other countries is enough to arrange a bilateral exchange. What’s most important – such exchange has to be organized by the students themselves, should be based on their own idea.

How many people have participated in such exchanges so far and what countries are the most popular with students?

In the previous edition of the programme as many as 1430 exchanges were organized. If we multiply this by the minimum number of participants, i.e. 16, we will get around 23 000 people, which is quite a lot. And we must remember that usually there are more than 16 participants. The majority of exchanges are with Germany, Lithuania and Italy.

Action 3 – “Youth in the World” supports “cross-border cooperation between Member States”. The rules and objectives are similar to those in Action 1. What is different?

A partner group. In Action 1 the group comes from the programme country (Member States, EFTA countries and Turkey), in Action 3 young people can come from Partner Countries, such as Azerbaijan, Georgia or Albania. Besides, the organization of an exchange or training within this Action is a greater challenge than Action 1.1 or Action 4.3 projects. Young people from Poland who plan to develop such a project will be responsible for the total funding which has to be distributed among all the partners according to certain rules. What’s more, in the Partner Countries there are no national agencies responsible for the programme “Youth in Action” so groups that come from those countries find it more difficult to get information and support.  

Which Action is the most popular?

Both Action 1 and Action 3 are extremely popular. Groups of young people who have completed projects under Action 1 frequently apply for funding within Action 3.

What is the maximum funding and what activities exactly get support?

Each Action has its own funding scheme. Action 1.1 –“Youth Exchange” and Action 4.3 “Training and Networking” are based on a flate rates. Funding depends, first of all, on the number of participants and on the kind of project. In Action 1.2 – “Youth Initiatives” you can apply for up to 6,000 Euros for a project which does not involve a foreign partner, and up to 8,000 Euros for one with a foreign participant. In Action 1.3 – “Youth Democracy” a project can obtain even 25,000 Euros, and in Action 5.1 – “Meeting of young people and those responsible for youth policy” – up to 50,000 Euros.

What advice do you have for the applicants?

Please read the “Youth in Action Guide” carefully – there you will find all the most important information on how to prepare a project. We also recommend our website (http://www.mlodziez.org.pl) where we show the most interesting projects and our on-line publications. Those who plan an exchange should find reliable partners for their projects.

What is the nearest application deadline? And what should one remember about while submitting a proposal?

The nearest deadline is February 1st, 2008. You should remember that the application form should be very carefully completed.

If the project has been rejected, is it possible to submit it once again? Will the applicant get advice how to correct it? Do you offer courses in that?

Yes, of course. That’s why there are 5 application deadlines in a year. Those whose projects have been rejected get information about the mistakes they made. A project corrected can be submitted in another deadline. Every now and then, in different towns in Poland, we organize information meetings during which the participants meet the staff of the National Agency for Youth in Action Programme. At such meetings we always get the participants acquainted with the project form and teach them how to work on its sections, e.g. the budget section. The form is meant for young people so after reading the guide they shouldn’t have problem to fill it in. In case of any doubt they can always contact us by phone or e-mail. The National Agency for Youth in Action Programme frequently organizes courses in the programme priorities, in project planning or in partnerships. Every such course is announced on our site in the “Invitations” section and in our weekly newsletter. Good luck in developing projects!