On 23 November 2011, the European Commission presented its proposed programme called "Erasmus for all: the EU Programme for Education, Training, Youth and Sport". The proposal is now under discussion by the Council (27 Member States) and the European Parliament who will take the final decision.

The new programme is proposed to replace the current Youth in Action programme. Erasmus for All would bring together all the current EU and international schemes for education, training, youth and sport, replacing seven existing programmes with one. According to the European Commission, this will increase efficiency, make it easier to apply for grants, as well as reducing duplication and fragmentation. More info on the proposed programme, which is due to start in 2014, can be found here.

However, many youth organisations are worried about the proposed changes. The European Youth Forum is calling for an independent and renewed Youth in Action programme for youth organisations in Europe. The European Youth Forum acknowledges the significant budget increase of the future programme, the focus on three key areas as well as the aim to be inclusive. However, the focus on formal education and vocational training put at risk the core values of youth work and the independence of youth policy.

Youth organisations in Europe recognise the value of Youth in Action as it is a unique programme. It is currently the only programme of the European Union supporting non-formal education and addressing all young people and youth organisations, regardless of whether they are in formal education or not. It supports European youth work and European youth participation and recognises the crucial role of European youth organisations and the European Youth Forum. It is furthermore unique in that it is implemented directly by the young people it addresses. Young people within their youth organisations are both actors and beneficiaries.

The European Youth Forum therefore demands that the European Union changes its approach to the new Youth Programme and adopts the idea of a separate programme. A campaign called "Where are you going?" has been launched to ask the European Parliament and EU Member States for a strong and independent Youth in Action programme for non-formal education, youth work and democratic youth organisations and an ambitious European Youth Employment Plan.

www.whereareyouthgoing.eu

To read more from the European Youth Forum: http://www.youthforum.org/

Attachments:

0567-10_PP_YIA2.0_FINAL.pdf

0986-11_YIA_FINAL.pdf

1002-11_YiA_PR.pdf