Common elements of EYF-supported projects

The European Youth Foundation provides financial and educational support to a wide range of youth projects, focusing on a range of different topics. We offer grant categories which support projects with different scopes, duration and approach. Whether projects take place at local or international level, EYF-supported projects all share some common characteristics.

 

Youth at the core

For a project to be supported by the EYF, it must be developed and implemented by, with and for young people and must respond to issues, needs and/or challenges affecting partners, but youth should always be at the core of the project. The EYF supports activities that are developed and implemented by young organisations and not individuals.

 

Youth sector priorities

Regularly, the youth sector of the Council of Europe decides on a series of priorities which guide the work of the whole Youth Department, including EYF-supported projects. Follow this link to learn more about the current strategic priorities, as well as the specific themes which have been defined for local pilot activities.

 

Non-formal education

Non-formal education refers to planned, structured programmes and processes of personal and social education for young people designed to improve a range of skills and competences, outside the formal educational curriculum. Visit the EYF page on non-formal education to learn more about what is expected. You may want to work with a professional NFE trainer, and the Youth Department has a pool of trainers who can help you to design and implement your project. Follow this link to learn more about requesting and working with a COE trainer.

 

Gender equality and inclusion

Inclusion of gender in youth projects means that gender is considered in your project, both regarding content (the issues being addressed may affect people with different gender profiles in different ways) and the process of developing and implementing the project itself, which should be inclusive to gender diversity. Learn more in the EYF gender page, where you can also find useful resources.

Inclusion in youth projects is of key importance as an active approach to inclusion means breaking down the barriers to youth work for groups of young people who are exposed to discrimination, exclusion and marginalisation. 

 What we do not support

Here are a few example of initiatives that will not receive support from the EYF:

  • scholarships of any kind (school, university, research, programmes or exchanges, vocational training);
  • commercial operations;
  • construction, purchase or equipment of buildings;
  • sports activities;
  • tourism;
  • participation in international exchanges;
  • projects in agriculture and water sanitation;
  • additional funding to cover costs for disadvantaged participants to take part in projects and/or activities funded by other donors;
  • micro-credit;
  • financial support for collecting and sending pedagogical material and/or food and/or clothes and/or books anywhere in the world.

 Examples of EYF-supported projects

1. By priority