Just for young people

If you want to meet new people from other countries, exercise your creative talents and try something new then maybe you should take a look at what Youth in Action has to offer.

Does either of these options sound like your kind of thing?

1. Your project, your way

Come up with an idea of your own, get others involved, apply for funding and make your project happen.

2. Volunteer overseas – for free

Volunteer in another European country with all your fares and expenses paid.

Who can apply?

Gather together four or more people aged 18-30 to work on the project with you. (You can also include others who are 15 and over, but they will need a youth worker coach to lend a hand.)

You’ll need to be under 30 years of age and live in the UK. If you belong to a youth group they may be able to help you with your application, but remember the big idea has to be all yours. 

How long?

Your project will run for three to 18 months, but the memories of it will stay with you forever. It might even lead to you starting your own organisation.

Where?

You can decide where to run your project. It could take place in your neighbourhood, with others across the UK or maybe with another group of like-minded young people in another European country.

What?

In the past projects have focussed on art, health and sport, environment and disability. What will yours be about? Get some ideas from the case studies section, but make sure that it’s something that’s close to your heart.

Why bother?

• Apply for money to hook up with young people from one or more European countries and see your own world in a new light. 
• Take the lead. Play a key role in planning and running a project on a topic that you’ve chosen. Learn along the way how to manage your own project budget. 
• Join forces with other young people to share ideas and explore your creative potential.

After all that?

Not only will you walk away from your project with new friends and experiences, you will also qualify for a Youthpass certificate recording what you have achieved. You might not be that impressed by a piece of paper, but many employers are impressed by the skills you record in it. 

Want to know more?

If you want to find out more, go to our Apply section or visit our Guidance Support page for contact details of organisations that can help

If you’re serious about getting involved, don’t ignore the small print. Take a look at the Programme guide (PDF 1.03MB) under ‘Action 1.2 – Youth Initiative’.

Who can apply?

Anyone aged 18-30 who lives in the UK can get involved. You will need a sending organisation (Excel 60KB) who can apply on your behalf.

How long?

You can volunteer for just two weeks or for up to twelve months. 

How much does it cost?

Absolutely nothing. The Youth in Action funding will cover everything from travel and accommodation to food and insurance. You even get a small monthly allowance. 

Why bother?

• EVS gives you a chance to experience other cultures and languages up close.
• Volunteering gives you the chance to try out the type of work you might like to do in the future
• Your future employers will like the fact that you have international experience and you’ll be able to impress them at interview with your new-found skills and how you made a difference. 

Want to know more?

If you want to find out more, visit our Guidance Support  page for contact details of organisations that can help. To get involved, you will need a sending organisation (Excel 60KB) who can apply on your behalf.

If you’re serious about getting involved, don’t ignore the small print. Take a look at the Programme guide (PDF 877KB) under ‘Action 2: EVS’.