Important changes in Youth in Action in 2012

Application deadlines

For projects submitted to a National Agency there are three application deadlines per year:

Projects starting between	Application deadline
1 May and 31 October	1 February
1 August and 31 January	1 May
1 January and 30 June	1 October

For projects submitted to the Executive Agency there are three application deadlines a year:

Projects starting between	Application deadline
1 August and 31 December	1 February
1 December and 30 April	1 June
1 March and 31 July	1 September

2012 Simplified Funding Rules

In 2012 the European Commission has simplified the funding rules for Action 1.1, Action 2, Action 3.1 and Action 4.3 of the Youth in Action programme. The new funding rules are set out in detail in the 2012 Programme Guide, but can be summarised as follows:

Scale of unit costs are used to count the project costs as follows: €N x number of participants x number of nights of activity. Scales of unit costs change according to the country. Consult the 2012 Programme Guide for country-specific rates separately in case of each Action mentioned above.

NB Please note that additional dissemination and exploitation funds will no longer be available for any YiA Actions.

New Partnership Agreements

Given the introduction of simplified funding rules from 2012, applicants will have to agree with partners how to manage the grant between them. With this in mind, the European Commission has recommended that partners complete an internal partnership agreement which details how the grant will be split between them. Additional guidance is set out in the 2012 Programme Guide

Electronic Application Forms

From the 01 February 2012 deadline, electronic applications (or 'E-forms') will be compulsory for all Actions of the Programme (apart from Action 2, for which E-forms will be introduced later in the year). The E-forms and guidance on completing these can be downloaded here. Applicants based in Programme countries can also consult the National Agencies regarding the new forms.

Multimeasure Applications

From 2012 it will no longer be possible to apply for Multimeasure projects under Action 1 or Action 4.3 of the Programme.

Eligible participants -lower age limits

From 2012 onwards participants in activities must have reached the minimum age at the start date of the activity.

New annual priorities

For 2012, the annual priorities are the following:

• projects aimed at promoting young people's commitment towards a more inclusive growth, and notably: projects tackling the issue of youth unemployment and projects addressing the issue of poverty and marginalisation
• projects stimulating young people’s spirit of initiative, creativity and entrepreneurship, employability
• projects promoting healthy behaviours, in particular through the promotion of the practice of outdoor activities and grassroots sport
• projects aimed at raising young people's awareness and mobilization in tackling global environmental challenges and climate change thus encouraging the development of "green" skills

New Eastern Partnership Youth Window (See under Action 3.1 and 2)

Additional funds will be available over the period 2012-2013 in order to increase the number of Youth in Action projects and participants from the six Neighbouring Partner Countries of the Eastern Partnership (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine), under the name "Eastern Partnership Youth Window".

The window will concern the following actions:

• European Voluntary Service (Action 2)
• Cooperation with the Neighbouring Partner Countries of the EU (sub-Action 3.1).

More information about the 'Eastern Partnership youth Window' under Part B - Action 3.1 section of the 2012 Programme Guide.