The UK National Agency has now re-opened Action 3.1 (Co-operation with Neighbouring Partner countries) for Youth Exchanges and Training and Networking projects. Please note that due to budget restrictions not all applications may be approved. Priority will be given to applications focusing on European citizenship, Participation of young people, Cultural diversity, and Inclusion of young people with fewer opportunities.

Action 3.1 - Cooperation with the Neighbouring Countries of the European Union
This Action supports Youth Exchanges and Training and Networking projects between Programme and Neighbouring countries from South East Europe (SEE), Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Mediterranean Partner countries. See full list of countries.

What Type of Activities are eligible?
Two types of activities can be supported under this Action: Youth Exchanges and Training and Networking Events

Youth Exchanges - eligibility criteria

			One of more of the partner groups must come from a Neighbouring Partner Country
			At least one EU Member State must be involved
			A partner group must be: a non-profit organisation or association, a local or regional public body, or an informal group of young people.
			In case of an informal group, one of the young people of the group (its representative) takes responsibility for submitting the application and signing the grant agreement.
			Multilateral Youth Exchanges must involve partner groups from at least two Neighbouring Partner Countries. Projects with Russia -given its size and geographic and ethnic diversity - do not have to involve necessarily an additional Neighbouring Country . Instead, Russia might be represented by two partner organisations coming from two different regions within the country.
			Bilateral and trilateral exchanges are intended for those partner groups who have not organised a Youth Exchange before.
			In principle, young people aged 13 to 25, resident in a Programme Country or in a Neighbouring Partner Country can participate in a Youth Exchange. A small number of participants of a group may be older than 25 years but none must  be older than 30 years.
			Priority will be given to projects focused on: strenghtening of civil society, citizenship and/or democracy; fight against racism and xenophobia; inter-ethnic and inter-faith dialogue; conflict resolution and social regeneration; active role of women in society; minority rights, regional cooperation and the protection of heritage and the enviroment.

Training and Networking Projects

			Projects must involve at least two partners from Neighbouring Countries and two partners from Programme Countries
			Job Shadowing activities represent an exception since they may involve a minimum of one partner organisation from a Neighbouring Country and one partner from a Programme Country.
			In any type of activity at least one EU Member State must be involved.
			All applicants must be: a non-profit making organisationor association, a local or regional body, or an informal group of young people.
			All participants ought to be involved or interested in youth work and non-formal education plus be legally resident in a Programme or Neighbouring Partner Country.
			Activities can take place either in a Programme Country or in a Neighbouring Partner Country.
			Similarly to the Youth Exchanges, preference will be given to those projects whose focus is on one or more of the subjects already listed as a priority in the Youth Exchanges

Please note that applications ought to be submitted by an organisation based in a Programme Country to the relevant National Agency, i.e. British Council Connect Youth if the applicant is based in the UK.

Download an Application Form for Youth Exchanges and/or Training and Networking Projects with Neighbouring Partner Countries