Study Visit "Youth work reality in Austria and Belgium"

Short intoduction

The idea of this project appeared during the Study Visit "Youth work reality in Caucasus region", which was organised by SALTO EECA in June 2007. To be more precise, this idea was born in the train from Baku to Tbilisi, when two participants who represent Austrian and Belgian (French speaking community) National Agencies of the Youth in Action Programme started to discuss with SALTO EECA's colleagues this new concept of the Study Visit for youth workers from Eastern Europe and Caucasus Countries to Austria and Belgium. A year later the preparatory meeting took place in Brussels and the project of such study visit was agreed in details. Please see below the results.

Organisers

Austrian National Agency of the Youth in Action Programme

Belgian (French speaking community) National Agency of the Youth in Action Programme

SALTO Eastern Europe and Caucasus Resource Centre

Date and Venue

The Study Visit "Youth work reality in Austria and Belgium" took place from 22nd till 29th March 2009.

First, participants visited youth organisations and youthpolicy institutions in Austria, than in Belgium.

Aim was

• to discover youth work realities (practice and policies) in Austria and Belgium, with special focus on youth participation and inclusion.

Objectives

• to learn about youth policies in both hosting countries;
• to share experiences and practices between hosting countries participants and Eastern Europe and Caucasus participants;
• to foster mutual knowledge and understanding between participants from different countries involved
• to promote sustainable contacts between the youth NGOs aiming at future development of projects within the Youth in Action Programme

Participants

Study Visit brought 24 experienced youth workers representing active local youth organisations.

Working language

English

Programme elements

• Presentation of participants and organisations,
• Presentation of the Youth in Action Programme with special focus on cooperation with the Neighbouring Partner Countries of the European Union,
• Presentation of the youth work reality in Austria and Belgium,
• Visits to different youth organisation and institutions.

Financial Conditions

• The lodging, board and local transportation will be provided by organisers.
• International travel costs will be paid by organisers of the study visit too.
• Participants cover by themselves all costs related to visa.