Experiencing Local Youth Work in the Mediterranean: The Europe Goes Local (EGL) Study Visit

The study visit, "Experiencing Local Youth Work in the Mediterranean: The Europe Goes Local Study Visit," is an opportunity for municipal and youth workers* to immerse themselves in municipal youth work practices in southern Croatia and learn how local youth policy supports these practices.

The study visit will take place from October 21 (arrival day) to 25 in Croatia for 15 representatives of local authorities and potentially their civil society partners. Participants will have the chance to visit three Croatian local communities (two bigger and one smaller) situated in Dalmatia: Split, Vrgorac, and Šibenik and explore their endeavors related to youth work.

Participants will learn about participatory youth budgeting, managing youth centers, participative local programs for youth, the Certificate City for Youth, Erasmus+ projects that enhance youth participation, the education of youth workers, local youth initiatives, youth councils and much more. While exploring local youth work practices, participants will also visit three picturesque Mediterranean cities involved in the EGL project, enjoy local cuisine and immerse themselves in the community of practice of local youth work in Croatia.

Participants are expected to be ready to travel by bus from city to city, to be actively involved in the program, to share their own experiences and practices, and to be open to future cooperation and joint Erasmus+ projects.

General Goal:

To present good practices of local youth work and policy in Croatia.

Specific Goals:

• to explore the process of youth work development in Croatia and the role of municipalities in creating an enabling environment for youth work development.
• to explore the Croatian approach to the Europe Goes Local project.
• to present and learn about diverse local practices regarding youth policy and work by municipalities and the youth organizations they cooperate with.
• to stimulate networking among participants and Croatian municipality/NGO representatives as a foundation for future cooperation.
• to motivate participants to create joint Erasmus+/Europe Solidarity Corps projects.
• to inspire participants to transfer good practices among themselves.
• to motivate participants to join future Europe Goes Local activities on national and European levels.
• to analyze specific elements that enabled municipalities to thrive in the context of youth work and policy.

Methodology:

• meetings with local authority representatives, youth workers, and youth in three local communities – Split, Vrgorac and Šibenik.
• presentations and exploration of good youth work practices.
• exchange of ideas, experiences, and practices among participants.

Profile of Participants:

The target group for the study visit in Croatia includes municipal and youth workers* from Lithuania, Slovenia, Estonia, Belgium, Serbia, France and Czechia who are willing to develop their competencies and share their practices in the field of youth work at the municipal level.

*The study visit is primarily intended for municipal workers focused on youth issues. Civil society representatives (youth workers) can be eligible participants only if they are coming as a team with their municipality partner. Each partner should fill in the application form separately.

The working language is English.

Note to Applicants:

October 21 is arrival day. The program will start in Split on October 22 where the accommodation will be provided during entire study visit. Participants traveling by plane can organize their arrival via Split Airport. Nearest alternative airports are Zadar Airport (approx 1,5h from Split) and Dubrovnik Airport (approx 3h from Split).