The Political Context of the Inclusion Strategy

The Parliament and Council have adopted the Youth in Action programme on 15th November 2006 (Decision n° 1719/2006/CE). The programme supports non-formal learning activities for young people aged between 15 and 28 (and in certain cases also from 13 to 30 years), and puts a strong emphasis on the inclusion of young people with fewer opportunities.

General objectives specify:

"The general objectives of the programme shall contribute to the development of the EU policies, in particular with regard to the recognition of cultural and multicultural and linguistic diversity in Europe, to fostering social cohesion and combating all discrimination based on sex, race or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation, and with regard to sustainable development."

Specific objectives include:

• promoting the fundamental values of the EU among young people, in particular respect for human dignity, equality, respect for human rights, tolerance and non-discrimination;
• facilitating participation in the programme by young people with fewer opportunities, including young people with disabilities;
• ensuring that the principle of equality between men and women is respected in participation in the programme and that gender equality is fostered in the actions;
• contributing to the improvement of information for young people, while paying special attention to the access of young people with disabilities;
• facilitating the recognition of young people's non-formal learning and skills acquired through participation in the programme.

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Access to the programme states:

• "The programme is intended for young people aged between 15-28, although certain actions are open to young people aged as young as 13 or up to the age of 30."
• "All young people, without discrimination, shall be able to have access to the activities of the programme, subject to the provisions of the Annex. The Commission and the participating countries shall ensure that particular efforts are made with regard to young people who have particular difficulties taking part in the programme for educational, social, physical, psychological, economic or cultural reasons or because they live in remote areas."

Consequently, the Youth in Action programme is conceived as an important instrument for inclusion, notwithstanding its general openness to all young people. It complements the inclusion efforts made in other areas and notably in the European political cooperation in the field of youth, including the four priorities of the Open Method of Coordination, the European Pact for Youth and the mainstreaming of youth in other policies. In this framework inclusion is a transversal aspect of all other political instruments.

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