Seminar “Youth Exchanges as an Instrument of Public Diplomacy and the Development of Young People and Civil Society Organisations”

This international seminar, aimed at youth workers, youth leaders, representatives of civil society organizations, and experts in youth policy, will serve as a forum for exchanging experiences, presenting best practices, and discussing the role of international youth exchanges in Europe’s current geopolitical context.

The event will provide an opportunity to reflect on the importance of youth cooperation as a tool for building social resilience, strengthening intercultural dialogue, supporting European integration, and developing the competencies of young people and organizations working on behalf of youth.

Special attention will be given to the new challenges arising from Russia’s full-scale aggression against Ukraine, including the role of youth cooperation in supporting integration, solidarity, and the rebuilding of social capital.

The Erasmus+ Youth and the European Solidarity Corps play a special role in supporting youth cooperation between Poland and Ukraine, enabling the implementation of youth exchange projects, learning mobility, and solidarity initiatives involving young people and civil society organizations from both countries. The Polish National Agency actively seeks synergies between European programs and other youth cooperation instruments, including the Polish-Ukrainian Youth Exchange Council managed by the FRSE, in order to strengthen the long-term Polish-Ukrainian partnership and enhance the quality and impact of the activities carried out.

Preliminary program:

• opening of the seminar and presentation of the seminar’s objectives and framework,
• expert sessions on the role of youth cooperation in the new geopolitical reality,
• presentation of opportunities offered by the Erasmus+ Youth program, the European Solidarity Corps, and the Polish-Ukrainian Youth Exchange Council,
• best practices fair showcasing youth exchange projects,
• discussion groups on challenges, project quality, and dissemination of results,
• workshops on the future of international youth cooperation.

Objectives

• presenting and promoting best practices in youth exchange projects,   
• discussing the impact of youth exchanges on the development of young people and civil society organizations,   
• analyzing the current challenges facing international youth cooperation,    
• developing recommendations and setting priorities for the future of international youth exchanges

The seminar is addressed to participants aged 18+ and will bring together youth workers, youth leaders, representatives of civil society organisations, and youth policy experts involved in international youth cooperation.

The event is particularly dedicated to:

• project coordinators from Polish organisations working together with Ukrainian partner organisations (partner pairs),
• organisations implementing projects under the Erasmus+ Youth programme,
• beneficiaries of the Polish-Ukrainian Youth Exchange Council Fund,
• stakeholders engaged in youth participation, intercultural dialogue, social inclusion, and international youth mobility.

Participants should have practical experience in international youth projects and an interest in strengthening cooperation between Poland and Ukraine in the current geopolitical context.