The European Youth Foundation grants were established by the Council of Europe to provide financial support for European youth activities.

It aims to encourage co-operation amongst young people in Europe by providing financial support to youth activities. It concerns activities, which serve the promotion of peace, understanding, and co-operation in a spirit of respect for human rights, democracy, tolerance, and solidarity.

European Youth Foundation grants

The European Youth Foundation grants were established in 1972 by the Council of Europe to provide financial and educational support for European youth activities. Only youth NGOs from Council of Europe member states, as well as the Cultural Convention Signatories: Belarus, Kazakhstan and the Holy See, can apply to the Foundation.

It is a division in the Youth Department of the Council of Europe’s Directorate of Democratic Citizenship and Participation, Directorate General of Democracy.

The mission, roles and responsibilities of the Directorate of Democratic Citizenship and Participation:

Rooted in the European Cultural Convention, the mission of Directorate of Democratic Citizenship and Participation is to develop democracy, human rights and the rule of law through education and youth policy and practice. The programmes focus on the emerging generation, enabling children and young people to become engaged and responsible European citizens who advocate human rights and participate fully in democratic life.

The European Youth Foundation is an instrument:

• to make the voice of youth heard at a top decision making level;
• managed by both youth non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and government representatives, who decide and monitor the CoE Youth programme;
• to support European non-governmental youth organisations and networks;
• to promote peace, understanding and respect.

The EYF provides financial support to the following types of activity undertaken by youth NGOs or networks, or by other NGOs involved in the areas of youth work relevant to the Council of Europe’s youth policies and work:

• educational, social, cultural and humanitarian activities of a European character
• activities aiming at strengthening peace and co-operation in Europe
• activities designed to promote closer co-operation and better understanding among young people in Europe, particularly by developing the exchange of information
• activities intended to stimulate mutual aid in Europe and in the developing countries for cultural, educational and social purposes
• studies, research and documentation on youth matters.

The EYF may support the following operations:

• International activity– including meetings of young people or youth leaders in Europe in order to promote participation and intercultural learning. The EYF will cover up two-thirds of the total cost. Maximum grant: € 20,000.
• Annual work plan – including a series of activities for the following year(s), international activities, pilot activities and also publication (including web development). These activities would be part of and support your NGO’s strategy or action plan for the coming years. Maximum grant: € 50,000.
• Structural grant– The European Youth Foundation may, every 2 years, grant international non-governmental youth organisations or networks a contribution to cover part of the general administrative costs involved in running their activities at European level. Maximum annual grant: € 25,000 per year for 2 years (i.e. a maximum of €50,000 for 2 years).
• One-off structural grant (non-renewable)- The Foundation may also contribute to the administrative costs of regional networks, in order to help them to establish a European structure. Maximum one-off grant: € 10,000.
• Pilot activity – is an intervention addressing a specific societal challenge linked to the local context in which it takes place. Priorities for pilot activities in 2016 are: combating hate speech, building inclusive societies, building peaceful communities. Maximum grant: € 10,000.

Applicants must represent either an international non-governmental youth organisation or network, a national or local non-governmental youth organisation or network, or non-governmental structures involved in youth work, from the Council of Europe member states. A list of the members can be found here.

Deadlines

1 April 2016 for:
– International activities taking place between 1 January and 30 June 20167
– Annual Work plan for 2017
1 October 2016 for:
– International activities taking place between 1 April and 31 December 2017
– Annual Work plan for 2017
– One-off structural grants for 2017 (regional network)
1 October 2017 for:
– 2-Year Structural grant for 2018-2019 (international NGOs/networks)

There are no fixed deadlines for pilot project applications, which may be submitted at least three months prior to the beginning of the activity in order to allow a proper assessment.

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