Introduction

YOUTH FOR EUROPE PROGRAMME Introduction 1998 further consolidated the development and sustainability of the Youth for Europe programme in the framework of the European Union’s continuing allegiance to the field of education, youth and training. Throughout its eleven years of implementation, the programme has never failed to support the creative energy and entrepreneurial spirit of young people, particularly now that they are at the threshold of an ever changing and expanding Europe as we approach the Millennium. Throughout the year, priorities were placed on youth work that promotes tolerance with a special emphasis placed on anti-racism following the success of the 1997 “European Year against Racism and Xenophobia”. The programme has helped young people in communities all over Europe integrate at local and European levels and learn about each others respective cultures and traditions. This approach has also supported young ethnic minorities all around Europe integrate at a social, cultural and European level, deconstructing stereotypes and negative ideologies promoted by war, hatred and disintegration. This Compendium presents the projects financed under the 1998 centralised selections and re-iterates the Commission’s commitment to projects demonstrating good quality in terms of originality, the overall learning objective and the adherence to the criteria which is the cornerstone for the educational context. The projects show the trends of young people, presenting a mutual opportunity for them to develop innovative ideas regarding their future, but also giving the Commission the chance to keep in touch with these trends and realise the dreams of the young participants. During the year relationships between European and international partnerships, networks and the local communities have developed and consolidated, successfully culminating in a rich mixture of exchanges, study visits, seminars, youth initiatives, voluntary work and dissemination of contemporary European related issues through the media. New organisations became aware of the excellent opportunities that the programme can offer and came forward with new and exciting projects, which covered deserving ideas ranging from the integration of the economically and socially disadvantaged to the socially excluded and the geographical isolated. Yet again young people have benefited from the support of projects which also place a special emphasis on projects which deal with physically and mentally handicapped people who sometimes feel excluded both from society and the work of the European Union. The project is sometimes the young Persons’ first experience with a European orientated programme because previous scepticism or absence of information has prevented it. By addressing young people outside the rigours of intimidating formal education structures, the programme develops the initiative and energetic ideas of young people, promoting solidarity and recognising the value of democracy, which promotes freedom of expression and tolerance. Exchanges are fundamental to the growth of intercultural solidarity and in 1998 themes such as the multi-cultural integration, young people and the media and the role of young women in conflict areas played dominant roles. Many projects focused on long term youth co-operation. Young people could travel within and beyond Europe with the specific aim to learn more about the rich culture and traditions of their international neighbours in Europe and as far away as Africa, the Mediterranean and Latin America. An effort was undertaken to ensure the participation of young people who previously would not have had the opportunity to take part in the project because of negative socio-economic circumstances. These people saw the educational and integral influence cultural, political and social environments played in the shaping of ideologies. They also saw new countries, witnessed new cultures and traditions, forged new friendships which continued after the programme and had a positive, fun experience, which they will remember for the rest of their lives. Youth initiatives capture the unique spirit of creativity of the Youth for Europe programme and it is here where we can witness the active imagination and spirit of young people come alive for the benefit of their personal growth while at the same time fostering solidarity among the local community. Young people realised that their involvement in local level initiatives indirectly contributes to the development of the European Union. In 1998, young people presented themes, which pivoted upon the aesthetical development of the environment relying heavily on tools such as art and the creativity of the participants. One such example was when a project developed solidarity among culturally diverse minorities by using the medium of music to act as a creative stimulus to get in touch with their rich ethnic past. These young people also obtained an informative insight to the intricacies of music production, which will benefit them in their future search for employment. Short-term voluntary service placements foster a sense of belonging to the community and develop a sense of responsibility, initiative and maturity which can prove to be a unique once in a lifetime experience for everybody involved. The programme provides an opportunity for young people to actively contribute to the improvement of the conditions of the local community through voluntary service, which promotes a clear European context. It is through these exciting opportunities that the personal, social and creative skills can unconsciously develop the instinct and character of the person volunteering for the activity. In 1998 young people used this medium to train and work as leaders, in youth activity camps and courses from places ranging from their local community to the far corners of Europe. YOUTH FOR EUROPE PROGRAMME One of the most important aspects of youth work is the training given the youth workers. The Youth for Europe programme actively recognises and promotes this idea. Youth workers who regularly work directly with young people, particularly those who are disadvantaged, were trained to improve the quality and management and number of youth related projects that apply every year. Young people can improve their inter-personal and professional skills in a creative environment, which promotes maturity and intuition. The projects also trained youth workers, developing a pool of trainers who devised training modules for integrated youth work. The supported projects develop personal self-confidence, the ability to forge inter-personal relations by meeting new people, exchange already successfully proven methods in youth work and even give the participants the opportunity to practice the new languages they have learned! The transfer of experience, ideas and the creation and development of networks is essential to the effective circulation of information through the media about the European Union and contemporary youth related issues but at the same time learn about new technologies such as the Internet and e-mail. More traditional ways were also proposed such as meetings and discussions in seminars, production of videos and magazines or even several of them together. This colourful and dynamic approach is not only an exciting opportunity to take part in a Youth for Europe project but also focuses on serious themes such as campaigning against racism, xenophobia, drug addiction and equal opportunities. Through a coherent approach regarding studies already being carried out in the European Union, the programme also gives young people an opportunity to express what they want in the future, particularly regarding European integration and the problems they face achieving this. This knowledge provides the Commission with the “real” priority needs of young people while also laying the foundations for a more co-operative approach in the youth field. Of course to realise the dream of multi-cultural integration at a European level, we need the agreement and support of the participating countries. Youth for Europe provides financial and moral support for projects who aim to bring together the officials and experts working in governmental structures responsible for youth matters at a local, regional and national level. The participants hope to promote a better understanding of the policies and administrative procedures of their counterparts, which is fundamental to the success and realisation of European orientated youth projects. The imagination of a young person is like a fertile ground, which needs to be encouraged, respected and taken care of but once it has, it will grow, develop and yield benefits for both itself and the community. This Compendium represents the ideas, hopes, ambitions, interests and realisations of today’s young people. These young people will be the European leaders of tomorrow and a close look at the project proves they are actively accepting and preparing for this responsibility and training for the challenge of developing and sustaining the new Europe of the Millennium YOUTH FOR EUROPE PROGRAMME _ C O N T E N T S _ Action A.1 Youth Exchanges and Mobility .........................................................................................................................................7 Action A.II.1 Youth Initiatives ..............................................................................................................................................................23 Action A.II.2 Periods of Voluntary

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