# C_2006295EN.01002801.xml

| 5.12.2006 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 295/28 |
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5.12.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 295/28

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Youth in Action Programme 2007-2013 — Conditional publication of the Programme Guide

(2006/C 295/08)

Introduction

The Commission's proposal relating to the Youth in Action programme for the period 2007-2013 is scheduled to be adopted by the European legislator soon. To enable prompt implementation of this programme and to enable potential beneficiaries of Community grants to prepare their proposals the Commission has decided to publish a provisional version of the Programme Guide including detailed information on the implementation of the programme.

I.   Precautionary Clause

The Programme Guide does not legally bind the Commission. It may be cancelled and another version of the Programme Guide with different specifications may be issued, with appropriate reply periods, if there is a substantial change in the basic act by the European legislator.

More generally, the implementation of Youth in Action Programme in 2007 as envisaged in the Programme Guide is subject to the following conditions, the meeting of which is not dependent on the Commission:

| — | the adoption of the annual work plan relating to the Youth in Action programme and of the general implementation guidelines and the selection criteria and procedures, after referral to the Programme committee; and |
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the adoption of the annual work plan relating to the Youth in Action programme and of the general implementation guidelines and the selection criteria and procedures, after referral to the Programme committee; and

| — | the adoption of the 2007 budget for the European Union by the budgetary authority. |
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the adoption of the 2007 budget for the European Union by the budgetary authority.

Furthermore, the references in the Programme Guide to the EAC Executive Agency are subject to the adoption of a decision of the Commission, extending the mandate of the EAC Executive Agency in order to cover the Programmes of new generation.

II.   Objectives and Description

The general objectives stated in the legal basis of the Youth in Action Programme are the following:

| — | Promote young people's active citizenship in general and their European citizenship in particular; |
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Promote young people's active citizenship in general and their European citizenship in particular;

| — | Develop solidarity and promote tolerance among young people, in particular in order to foster social cohesion in the European Union; |
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Develop solidarity and promote tolerance among young people, in particular in order to foster social cohesion in the European Union;

| — | Foster mutual understanding between young people in different countries; |
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Foster mutual understanding between young people in different countries;

| — | Contribute to developing the quality of support systems for youth activities and the capabilities of civil society organisations in the youth field; |
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Contribute to developing the quality of support systems for youth activities and the capabilities of civil society organisations in the youth field;

| — | Promote European cooperation in the youth field. |
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Promote European cooperation in the youth field.

These general objectives shall be implemented at project level taking into consideration the following permanent priorities.

1)   European citizenship

Making young people aware that they are European citizens is a priority of the Youth in Action Programme. The objective is to encourage young people to reflect upon European topics including European citizenship and to involve them in the discussion on the construction and the future of the European Union.

On this basis, projects should have a strong European dimension and stimulate reflection on the emerging European society and its values.

2)   Participation of young people

A main priority of the Youth in Action Programme is the participation of young people in democratic life. The overall objective for participation is to encourage young people to be active citizens. This objective has the three following dimensions, laid down in the Council resolution on the common objectives for participation by and information for young people (1):

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| — | to increase the participation by young people in the civic life of their community |
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to increase the participation by young people in the civic life of their community

| — | to increase participation by young people in the system of representative democracy; |
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to increase participation by young people in the system of representative democracy;

| — | greater support for various forms of learning to participate. |
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greater support for various forms of learning to participate.

Projects funded under the Youth in Action Programme should reflect these three dimensions by using participation as a pedagogical principle for project implementation.

3)   Cultural Diversity

The respect for cultural diversity together with the fight against racism and xenophobia are priorities of the Youth in Action Programme. By facilitating joint activities of young people from different cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds, the Programme aims to develop the intercultural learning of young people.

As far as the development and implementation of projects is concerned, this means that young people participating in a project should become aware of its intercultural dimension. Intercultural working methods should be used to enable project participants to participate on an equal basis.

4)   Inclusion of young people with fewer opportunities

An important priority for the European Commission is to give young people with fewer opportunities access to the Youth in Action Programme.

Youth groups and organisations should take appropriate measures to avoid exclusion of specific target groups. The Youth in Action Programme is a programme for all and efforts should be made to include young people with special needs.

In close cooperation with the National Agencies and the SALTO Resource Centres, the European Commission has established a strategy for the inclusion of young people with fewer opportunities in the Youth in Action Programme targeting in particular young people from a less-privileged educational, socio-economic, cultural or geographical background, or with disabilities.

Structure of the Youth in Action Programme

In order to achieve its objectives, the Youth in Action Programme foresees five operational Actions.

| — | Action 1 — Youth for Europe: supporting exchanges, mobility and initiatives for individuals and encouraging their participation in democratic life; |
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Action 1 — Youth for Europe: supporting exchanges, mobility and initiatives for individuals and encouraging their participation in democratic life;

Action 1

Youth for Europe

| — | Action 2 — European Voluntary Service: encouraging young people to take part in a voluntary activity abroad that benefits the general public; |
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Action 2 — European Voluntary Service: encouraging young people to take part in a voluntary activity abroad that benefits the general public;

Action 2

European Voluntary Service

| — | Action 3 — Youth in the World: encouraging cooperation with Partner Countries by building networks, promoting the exchange of information and assisting with cross-border activities; |
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Action 3 — Youth in the World: encouraging cooperation with Partner Countries by building networks, promoting the exchange of information and assisting with cross-border activities;

Action 3

Youth in the World

| — | Action 4 — Youth Support Systems: promoting the development of exchange, training and information schemes; |
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Action 4 — Youth Support Systems: promoting the development of exchange, training and information schemes;

Action 4

Youth Support Systems

| — | Action 5 — European Cooperation in the youth field: contributing to the development of policy cooperation in the youth field. |
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Action 5 — European Cooperation in the youth field: contributing to the development of policy cooperation in the youth field.

Action 5

European Cooperation in the youth field

III.   Eligible Applicants

Young people between the ages of 13 and 30 are encouraged to get involved (main target group: 15 to 28 years), subject to the requirements of specific projects, and special attention is given to individuals with fewer opportunities.

IV.   Budget and Duration

The Programme has an overall budget of EUR 885 million for the period 2007-2013. The annual budget is subject to decision of the budgetary authorities.

V.   Further Information

Further information, including the details of deadlines for grant applications, may be found in the Youth in Action Programme Guide on the following websites:

http://ec.europa.eu/youth/index_en.html

http://eacea.cec.eu.int/static/en/overview/Youth_overview.htm

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(1)  Council Resolution (2003/C 295/04) of 25 November 2003, OJ C 295, 5.12.2003, pp. 6-8.

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