DD/EYCS/EYF/DOC/2026/001 Strasbourg, 16 February 2026
EYF learning and networking days
11 – 12 March 2026
Rue de l’Industrie 10, Brussels, Belgium (meeting rooms Paulo Freire and Patrice Lumumba)
Deadline to pre-register: 26 February 2026
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Council of Europe’s European Youth Foundation is a unique fund dedicated to youth organisations and international youth co-operation initiatives for promoting democracy, human rights and peace. The European Youth Foundation provides grants to youth organisations to carry out initiatives that contribute to the priorities of the Council of Europe in the field of youth. Additionally, the European Youth Foundation develops support measures for youth organisations to prepare them to better identify, plan, implement, evaluate and learn from their projects. As part of its support measures, the EYF organises twice a year a meeting with international youth organisations in Brussels, Belgium, as a commitment to its partnership with youth organisations. These learning and network days will focus both on reinforcing the partnership with the youth sector of the Council of Europe and provide opportunities for youth organisations.
The learning and networking days are scheduled for 11 – 12 March 2026 and have the following objectives:
1. Inform youth organisations about essentials and the latest updates of the youth sector, and the grants of the EYF for which international youth organisations can apply in 2026 for international youth activities and long-term projects to be implemented in 2027,
2. Reinforce the skills of youth organisations in areas of relevance for the implementation of initiatives and projects supported by the EYF,
3. Create a space for mutual learning and networking among youth organisations.
Please note that the EYF calls for international youth one-off co-operation activities and long-term youth co-operation projects to be implemented in 2027 will be launched shortly, and before this meeting in Brussels.
The programme of the learning and networking days will include:
· introduction to the youth sector of the Council of Europe, including information on the EYF grants and its reform, the Council of Europe’s work on integrating a youth perspective, as well as about the programme of the European Youth Centres,
· workshops on different topics in the area of project management and development of youth organisations, fundraising strategies, engaging with member organisations, financial management of EYF grants
· networking and exchange on good practices.
The event will involve up to 30 participants, from different international youth organisations that intend to apply for EYF grants and/or study sessions under the programme of the European Youth Centres of the Council of Europe. The EYF may provide partial travel and subsistence support to those organisations whose headquarters is not based in Brussels, based on needs and available resources. Lunch meals and coffee breaks for all other participants will be covered for the duration of the programme.
During the learning and networking days the EYF secretariat will be available for bilateral consultations with youth organisations upon request.
The event is organised with the contribution of the European Youth Forum, who also hosts the activity.
The programme will have the following schedule on both days: 11 and 12 March, from 9.00 to 18.00.
To pre-register, international youth organisations and networks are invited to fill in the form below before 26 February 2026 and send it back to [email protected].
PRE-REGISTRATION FORM
1. First name:
2. family name:
3. email:
4. mobile phone:
5. COMPLETE home address:
6. YOUR ORGANISATION:
7. Your role in the organisation:
8. YOUR MAIN EXPECTATIONS FROM THE MEETING:
9. ACCESS OR DIETARY NEEDS:
10. DO YOU NEED THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE TO COVER ANY OF YOUR COSTS FOR ATTENDING THE MEETING? IF YES, PLEASE INDICATE WHICH (TRAVEL, PERDIEM ETC.)