Call for proposals � EACEA/28/11: Action 4.1 � Support for bodies active at European level in the field of youth

This call for proposals concerns structural support, referred to as operating grant, to bodies active at European level in the field of youth and pursuing an aim which is of general European interest.

The objective is to support bodies, which through their permanent, usual and regular activities contribute to the objectives of the ‘Youth in Action’ programme.

These activities must help encourage young people to participate as citizens in public life, in society and in the development and implementation of European cooperation actions in the broadly defined field of youth.

This call is open to:
1. European non-governmental organisations:
(a) European umbrella organisations having branches in at least eight eligible countries;
(b) formal European networks having formal statutory member organisations in at least eight eligible countries.
2. Informal European networks — composed of organisations independent from each other and active in at least eight eligible countries.
To be eligible for an operating grant, a body must:
— be non-profit making
— be non-governmental
— have been legally registered for at least one year in an eligible country
— be a youth body or one having a broader scope but including a section dedicated to youth
— involve young people in managing activities developed with them in mind
— have at least one (salaried or non-salaried) permanent member of staff (an exception is granted to bodies that have never received grants under this action and that intend to employ a permanent member of staff if this grant is awarded).

Bodies established in any one of the following countries are eligible to apply:
— the 27 EU Member States, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, Croatia, Turkey, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia, Belarus, Moldova, Russian Federation, and Ukraine.

Organisations must schedule within their annual programme a series of activities which comply with the principles underpinning European Union action in the field of youth.

The activities likely to contribute towards strengthening and improving the efficiency of European Union action are as follows:

— group 1: representing the views and interests of young people in their diversity at European level,
— group 2: youth exchanges and voluntary services,
— group 3: non-formal and informal learning and activity programmes targeted at young people,
— group 4: promoting intercultural learning and understanding,
— group 5: debate on European matters, EU policies or youth policies,
— group 6: dissemination of information on European Union action,
— group 7: actions promoting participation and initiative by young people.

The total budget allocated for cofinancing the operation of bodies active at European level in the field of youth under the present call for proposals is estimated at €800,000.

Financial contribution from the Union budget cannot exceed 80% of eligible costs and the maximum grant for each body will be €35,000 for an annual agreement.

The deadline for applications is 15 November 2011.

Further information is available on the EACEA website

Reference: 2011/C 270/04

(Added 2011-09-13)