Youth in Action - Main objectives

The general objectives stated in the legal basis of the Youth in Action Programme are the following:

• Promote young people's active citizenship in general and their European citizenship in particular;
• Develop solidarity and promote tolerance among young people, in particular in order to foster social cohesion in the European Union;
• Foster mutual understanding between young people in different countries;
• Contribute to developing the quality of support systems for youth activities and the capabilities of civil society organisations in the youth field;
• Promote European cooperation in the youth field.

These general objectives shall be implemented at project level taking into consideration the following permanent priorities.

Priorities of the Youth in Action Programme

1) European citizenship
Making young people aware that they are European citizens is a priority of the Youth in Action Programme. The objective is to encourage young people to reflect upon European topics including European citizenship and to involve them in the discussion on the construction and the future of the European Union.

On this basis, projects should have a strong European dimension and stimulate reflection on the emerging European society and its values.

2) Participation of young people
A main priority of the Youth in Action Programme is the participation of young people in democratic life. The overall objective for participation is to encourage young people to be active citizens. This objective has the three following dimensions, laid down in the Council resolution on the common objectives for participation by and information for young people :

• to increase the participation by young people in the civic life of their community;
• to increase participation by young people in the system of representative democracy;
• greater support for various forms of learning to participate.

3) Cultural Diversity
The respect for cultural diversity together with the fight against racism and xenophobia are priorities of the Youth in Action Programme. By facilitating joint activities of young people from different cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds, the Programme aims to develop the intercultural learning of young people.

As far as the development and implementation of projects are concerned, this means that young people participating in a project should become aware of its intercultural dimension. Intercultural working methods should be used to enable project participants to participate on an equal basis.

4) Inclusion of young people with fewer opportunities
An important priority for the European Commission is to give young people with fewer opportunities access to the Youth in Action Programme.

Youth groups and organisations should take appropriate measures to avoid exclusion of specific target groups. The Youth in Action Programme is a Programme for all, and efforts should be made to include young people with special needs.

In addition, annual priorities may be fixed for the Youth in Action Programme and communicated on the Commission and National Agencies website and in the annex of the present Programme Guide.

Main objectives for co-operation with South East Europe

In supporting activities involving young people and organisations from Partner Countries, the European Commission's main aims are to promote dialogue, mutual tolerance, intercultural awareness and solidarity beyond the borders of the European Union, to break down prejudices and stereotypes, and to build up societies based on common understanding and respect.

These activities are also intended to contribute to the development of civil society and the strengthening of democracy in the Partner Countries.

Aims of the co-operation with South East Europe:

• to contribute to peace and stability at the borders of the enlarged EU and beyond, by enhancing intercultural dialogue, mutual understanding and tolerance among young people.
• and to contribute to strengthening democracy and civil society by facilitating the integration and active participation of young people, and by encouraging the development of youth structures.