BTM - International Training Course on using youth exchanges to increase the mobility of young people within the new EU programme from 2014

Youth exchanges are exciting and dynamic tools, of proven success within European and international youth work. They are a strong, effective and efficient instrument, when working on empowerment opportunities for young people.

The new EU programme from 2014 offers the opportunity to finance and support youth exchanges. Youth exchanges within this programme, are an opportunity for young people of different countries and cultural backgrounds to meet and to develop ideas and activities of common interest.  Expected impact on young people in such a youth exchange are many, such as an enhanced inter-cultural awareness, increased motivation for taking part in future education, more active participation in society, transferable communication competences etc.

Several indicators are recommended to meet the quality aspects and to be successful during the application process and the implementation of the project. The main aim of BTM is to support youth workers to achieve these expected quality standards.

On an annual basis, the SALTO Training and Co-operation RC co-ordinates and monitors several BTM training courses for ca. 200 youth workers from all over Europe. The training courses are hosted by the NAs and are implemented by a trainers pool consisting of 6 European trainers: Elizabeth Kasa, Gerald Dowden, Nerijus Kriauciunas, Marta Piszczek, Jo Claeys, and Evi Koutsospirou.

On the right one can find the statistical results of the BTMs, and a more detailed information pack for future participants of BTM. Impressions and results from previous BTM courses are posted on the informal blog of the course: http://bitrimulti.net and on the informal Facebook page: www.facebook.com/bitrimulti.The blog includes good practice examples of youth exchange projects, useful tools for partner finding, resources to set up quality youth exchange projects.

During the current period, the BTM training courses listed below are planned to take place. The NAs will recruit and select the participants; please check the details when you click on the relevant course.

• BTM in Cyprus (16-20.9.2013), including participants from Cyprus, Austria, Flemish speaking community of Belgium, Estonia, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Norway, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden, UK, and from the regions of Eastern Europe and Caucasus and South East Europe.
• BTM in Croatia (23-27.10.2013) including participants from Croatia, French speaking community of Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and Turkey.
• BTM in Ireland (27.11.-1.12.2013) including participants from Ireland, Austria, German and Flemish speaking community of Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Estonia, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Malta, Norway, and Romania.
• BTM in UK (4-8 December 2013) including participants from UK, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, and from the regions of Eastern Europe and Caucasus and South East Europe.
• BTM in Greece (April 2014), including participants from Greece, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Switzerland, Turkey, and UK.