Youth - Young people building Europe

Council of Europe Award “Young Active Citizens”

GENERAL RULES

Rule 1 – Entrants
Rule 2 – Theme
Rule 3 – Entry requirements
Rule 4 – Address
Rule 5 – Jury
Rule 6 – Deadline for Entries
Rule 7 – Prizes
Rule 8 – Follow up
Rule 9 - Liability
Rule 10 – Above rules

Rule 1 – Entrants 

The Council of Europe "Young active citizens" Award, to be granted by the Council of Europe for an innovative project in the field of youth participation, is open to youth organisations and networks, at local, regional or national levels involving young people between the ages of 16 and 30. According to the annual theme for the award, other types of organisations (e.g. local authorities, other NGOs) may be invited to take part.

Rule 2 – Theme 

The general theme chosen for the competition is "Young active citizens" and focuses on the participation of young people in political, social and cultural life at local, regional or national levels throughout the 48 member states party to the European Cultural Convention. In particular, such projects should specify the means developed by young people to enhance their own possibilities for involvement in the life of their communities, towns, regions or countries and to influence public authorities' decision-making process.

It aims to:

  • Reward projects of outstanding quality;
  • Establish direct links between young people and policy-makers;
  • Raise awareness of the practice of youth participation;

Its objectives are to:

  • Gather examples of good practice;
  • Demonstrate the state of youth participation in Europe;
  • Generate research and thematic studies;
  • Present these findings via Internet in order to enhance exchange between young actors.

Projects should, therefore, promote one or more of the following areas for the participation of young people:

  • in political life;
  • in associative life;
  • in educational establishments;
  • in the work place;
  • in gender equality initiatives;
  • in the use of new technologies;
  • in inter-generational dialogue;
  • in the promotion of human rights;
  • in the fight against violence;
  • in the fight against social exclusion;
  • in the fight against racism and discrimination;
  • in the promotion of solidarity in local neighbourhoods;
  • in the protection of natural and cultural heritage;
  • in cultural action.

A specific theme will be decided annually, in the light of the existing priorities of the youth sector.

Rule 3 – Entry requirements 

  • Entrants to the competition must submit the following details in the appropriate form:
  • A short (no more than 4 pages) description (in English or French) of their project including the theme, the aims and objectives, the target group and number of participants (if applicable), the evaluation of the project and the expected follow-up;
  • The name and address, telephone, fax and e-mail address of the organisation or network including the name of one contact person.

Rule 4 – Address 

Applications should be sent to the National Campaign Committee, who will verify that the project/action is in conformity with the objectives of the 2006-2007 Award and with its rules and criteria. National Campaign Committees will then forward the applications received from within their country to the Council of Europe Directorate of Youth and Sport. The list of addresses of National Campaign Commitees established in the Council of Europe member states is available on the following web page address: http://alldifferent-allequal.info

In the absence of National Campaign Committee of similar body, individual applications may be sent to the following address:

Council of Europe Award "Young active citizens"
European Youth Centre
30, rue Pierre de Coubertin
F-67000 Strasbourg
Tel: +33 (0)3 88 41 39 56
Fax: +33 (0)3 88 41 27 78
E-mail: youth.award@alldifferent-allequal.info

Rule 5 – Jury 

As a general rule, the jury will be composed of four members of the Programming Committee of the European Youth Centres and European Youth Foundation and the Council of Europe Director of Youth and Sport or his/her representative. On the decision of the Programming Committee, other members of the jury may be co-opted on an ad hoc basis. As regards the 2006-2007 Award, the Jury will be composed of 2 members of the Programming Committee of the European Youth Centres, 2 members of the European Steering Group of the Campaign, as well as the Council of Europe Director of Youth and Sport or his/her representative.

The jury will define the criteria for selection of the projects to receive an award.

The jury's decisions are final.

Rule 6 – Deadline for Entries 

The deadline for applications will be decided annually by the Programming Committee. As regards the 2006-2007 Award, the deadline will be decided by the European Steering Group of the Campaign “All different-all equal”.

Rule 7 – Prizes 

Five outstanding project will be awarded a first prize of 1,000 Euros and a diploma. These prizes are in recognition of the quality of the work carried out by the organisation or network submitting the projects.
Two representatives from each of the five above awarded projects will be invited to participate at an international event (e.g. meeting of Youth Ministers, international symposium) to present their project and officially receive the awards. The venue will be decided on an annual basis.

Rule 8 – Follow up 

Award winners will be asked to agree to the dissemination of their projects as examples of good practice by the organisers of the competition including full publication of project descriptions.

Rule 9 – Liability 

The organisers should not be held liable should this competition have to be changed, postponed or cancelled for reasons beyond their control.

Rule 10 – Above rules 

In submitting entries for the Council of Europe Award, applicants undertake to abide to the above rules.