Activating citizens –municipalities making use of the European Solidarity Corps

The European Solidarity Corps Programme is the programme of the European Union for promoting solidarity as a value. It aims to enhance the engagement of young people and organisations in accessible and high-quality solidarity activities, thereby strengthening cohesion, solidarity, democracy and citizenship in Europe, while also responding to societal challenges and strengthening communities. 

The aims of the seminar

The main aim of the event is to motivate and support municipalities to make use of the possibilities of the European Solidarity Corps Programme. It aims to illustrate multiple advantages for municipalities to encounter their local needs, activate their citizens and-  to strengthen their (twin town) networks.  

The objectives of the seminar

* Different fields of action of the new European Solidarity Corps Programme 2021-2027 will be introduced, to ensure clarity and support on how the programme works in practise. 

* Inspiring examples by municipalities already using the European Solidarity Corps will foster the discussion on opportunities of the programme and help to discover the wide range of benefits for municipalities in their international work and in covering local needs.   

* Groupwork sessions can offer individual space for exchange and councelling on practicalities in the use of the European Solidarity Corps.

* There will be space to network and exchange good practices, because the training wants to foster cooperation amongst municipalities and build up on competence of designing and implementing projects. 

Target group of the seminar

The seminar offers many opportunities for participants representing municipalities and municipal organisations, which want to bring a European dimension into their youth work and citizenship activities. Opportunities for municipalities that want to strengthen their existing networks with other partnertowns or twincities through involving the young generation will be part of the seminar as well. Youth organisations are highly recommended to apply together with a representative of municipalities as a tandem.

Implementation of the seminar

The seminar will involve about twentyfive participants from all over Europe, who are interested in getting acquainted with the European Solidarity Corps and intend to develop projects in the future. The working language is English.

It will be implemented online via ZOOM and other tools, from 27 + 28.04.2021 9.30 -15:00 CET and hosted on-line by Jugend für Europa, the German National Agency of the European Solidarity Coprs.