The new, enlarged European Union with 27 member states represents a new chance to assess the place and role of young people in European society. The quality of education and training, as well as the dynamism and creativity of young people are among the most valuable resources of the EU, and as such are an exceptional driving force of development. One of the main EU goals is to establish a knowledge-based Europe. This was clearly stated in the conclusions of the European Council in Lisbon 2000, which  called upon all those who work in the field of education, training and care for young people to work with political decision-makers to transform the vision of a knowledge-based Europe into an everyday reality for all the citizens of Europe.
In order to achieve the above mentioned goals, the European Union has designed many programmes and activities aimed at providing young people with the chance to actively take part in the creation of their own education. Besides representing an opportunity to acquire knowledge and gain new experiences, these programmes enable young people to learn, train and work in other European countries. In this way, cross-border co-operation is promoted, and understanding between different cultures and nations is increased.


INFORMATION ON YOUTH PROGRAMMES

European Commission, Directorate General for Education and Culture – provides extensive information concerning education, professional training, youth programmes and sports.

European Commission Education and Professional Training Programmes – provide information concerning different education programmes.

Programme YOUTH – is for those between 15 and 25 years of age, promoting the exchange of experiences, meetings of young people and youth organisations, and youth mobility outside educational frameworks.

European Voluntary Service – is a programme providing the opportunity for young people to participate in projects run by non-governmental organisations and local authorities in European countries.

Youth for Europe – is a programme for the promotion of intercultural youth exchanges.

European Youth Portal – was designed as a support for projects which encourage young people to be active participants in the shaping of their own future and that of Europe.

Lifelong Learning Programme – it consists of four sub-programmes: Comenius (for schools), Erasmus (for higher education), Leonardo da Vinci (for vocational education and training) and Grundtvig (for adult education).

The Youth Directorate of the Council of Europe – participates in developing policies for young people at the European level as well as co-funding and providing support for educational and other activities for young people.

Comenius– is an education programme focused on the first phase of education, from pre-school and primary to secondary school, but also addressing the whole education community in the broadest sense. It promotes learning in a multi-cultural surrounding, and provides support for disadvantaged groups.

Erasmus– promotes student and teacher exchanges between European universities and faculties, as well as mutual development of study programmes.

Iris– is a project which provides support for students and universities involved in the Erasmus programme.

Lingua– is a  programme of co-operation in the field of foreign language learning.

Naric– is a network of national centres providing information concerning academic recognition of diplomas in countries involved in the Socrates programme.

ECTS– is a system for the recognition of diplomas obtained in a foreign country as well as for the accumulation of credits for further studies within the European higher education system (within the Socrates programme).

Diploma Supplement – provides additional information on academic education and achievements throughout one’s studies.

TEMPUS– is a trans-European funding co-operation programme facilitating changes in the content and structure of higher education in the European Union and 26 partner countries.

eLearning – is a project promoting the use of new technologies in raising the quality of learning and education.

CEDEFOP– The European Centre for Development of Vocational Training develops technical and academic activities.

European Training Foundation – is the European foundation for training, which supports and co-ordinates the development of educational and training systems in EU partner countries.

EURES– is a European employment service.

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USEFUL INTERNET LINKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE:

European Youth Forum – is a non-governmental organisation which promotes youth interests at the European level.

European Union Info Centre – The Delegation of the European Commission to the Republic of Croatia established the European Union Information Centre in order to expand the knowledge and understanding of the European Union and its mechanisms among the Croatian public.

Eurydice– is an information network for gathering and circulating detailed information on education systems and policies in European countries.

Euroguidance– is a network of national centres providing information on possibilities for vocational and professional guidance and education.

PLOTEUS– is a portal providing detailed information on education and professional training in 30 European countries.

Europass– is a collection of documents where data concerning internships or professional training are recorded for the purpose of easier understanding of obtained diplomas, knowledge and skills (Europass CV, Europass Mobility, Europass Diploma Supplement, Europass Certificate Supplement, Europass Language Portfolio.)

Europass CV – is a standardised CV format in European Union states.

YouthNET – is a project which promotes co-operation among young people in South-East Europe and which develops relations with youth organisations in EU states.

INFOmobil– is an information service providing practical information for young people concerning studying, travelling and working in European countries.

On The Move – is an interactive portal for young people who want to work and learn in another European country.

European Schoolnet – is a portal for schools aiming to promote the implementation of new information technologies in schools.

Pro Youth International  – is a database on non-governmental organisations and institutions working with young people in European countries.

European Youth Card Association – distributes cards to those under 26 years of age to promote the development of tourist, cultural and educational mobility in 40 European countries.

AEGEE– is the European students forum promoting interaction within the European academic community in 40 European countries.

Eurodesk– is the European Commission portal for informing young people and those working with them.

Welcome Europe – is an information service on European funds that are mostly for non-governmental organisations which wish to initiate and develop European activities.

YONET– provides information on youth exchange programmes, seminars, youth initiatives, networks and institutions looking for partners to work with young people.

European Union Student Council – is an organisation representing the interests of students from EU member states.

EuropeDirect – is the European Commission information portal, which provides a wide range of information.

Your Europe – provides a large amount of information on different aspects of life, work and education in the EU.

The Agency for Science and Higher Education - is the official body responsible for providing information concerning the recognition of foreign diplomas and qualifications, education systems in European countries and possibilities of studying abroad (as well as grants, scholarships and other practical advice.)

European Network of National Information Centres on Academic Mobility and Recognition – provides information in the Enic and Naric networks for the purpose of recognition of foreign qualifications, as well as for providing information concerning academic and professional mobility.

Euro- Med Youth Platform   - brings together youth initiatives within the European Mediterranean region and provides information on the Euro-Med Youth Programme.

Salto Youth Resource Centres – is a network of 8 research centres providing information on education and training in co-operation with national agencies within the Youth Programme.

European Youth Parliament – is an independent education project for young people involving 32 European associations and organisations, and is one of the largest European portals for political debate, multicultural gatherings and the exchange of ideas.

European Culture Portal- provides information for promoting inter-European co-operation on cultural projects.

Europe for Youth - Delegation of the European Commission to the Republic of Croatia, Trg žrtava fašizma 6