The European University on youth policies (known also as the «Summer University») took place in Riga, Latvia, on 28-30 June 2023 in the framework of the current Latvian Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. The University is part of the Council of Europe’s package of youth policy development measures and aims to familiarise participants with the values, objectives, programmes and structures of the Council of Europe and its Youth Department. This year’s edition was hosted by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Latvia.

The 32 participants, including local hosts and secretariat, from 15 member states, amongst which were representatives of the European Steering Committee for Youth and their colleagues from ministries responsible for youth affairs, of the Advisory Council on Youth and of partner organisations, were welcomed by Kārlis Strautiņš, Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Education and Science of Latvia. The participants also had an exchange with Agnese Vilde, Director of Department for international organisations and human rights, MFA of Latvia, focusing on the Follow-up to the Fourth Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe.

The Youth Peace Camp took place from 4 to 11 July 2023 and supported young people and youth organisations active in conflict transformation and peacebuilding by sharing educational resources, capacity-building networking possibilities to enhance young people’s role in peace and security processes.

Throughout the camp, the young people lived and learned together and especially, to engage in dialogue with other young people affected by conflict. This experience will motivate them in their role as multipliers and peer leaders in peacebuilding and conflict transformation activities with young people in their communities based on human rights education and conflict transformation.

• Revitalising pluralistic democracy
• Young people's access to rights
• Living together in peaceful and inclusive societies
• Youth work

The European Youth Foundation (EYF) is the key instrument of the youth sector of the Council of Europe for the support of international youth civil society. Every year, the EYF provides funds to one-off international activities and annual work plans of international youth organisations and networks. In 2023, 20 one-off international activities and 13 annual work plans were awarded by the EYF.

On 1 October 2023, the EYF will have a deadline for submitting international one-off activities and annual work plans applications for projects to be implemented in 2024. On the same date, the Foundation will also have its deadline for structural grants for international youth organisations and networks for the period 2024-2025. To respond to the increased cost and inflation, the EYF recently increased the maximum amounts for all international grants.

The EYF will also organise information sessions for youth organisations online, on 7 and 8 September, and in person in Brussels on 11 and 12 September. To register, check here.

Between 31 July – 4 August, 2023, members of the Quality Label Expert Team paid end of term evaluation visits to the Quality Label accredited youth centres in Brezice (Slovenia), Sremski Karlovci (Serbia) and Timisoara (Romania).

The visits assessed the progress and improvements that have been made at these youth centres based on previous monitoring visits and in line with the 15 quality criteria of the Quality Label (pages 10-19). These evaluations also provided an opportunity for the experts to meet the local educational staff, the centres’ leaderships, local authorities and relevant youth stakeholders.

During the three visits, the expert team assessed the progress that has been made at each of these centres regarding the facilities, the youth and educational activities that are offered and development plans in the future. 

Youth workers and teachers from all regions of Ukraine took part in the training course “Using Compass in formal and non-formal education” from 20 to 24 July 2023 in Slavsko, Lviv Oblast, Ukraine.

The activity is an integral part of the Youth for Democracy programme of the Council of Europe (Human Rights Education Youth Programme) It was organised by the Donetsk Youth Debate Centre in partnership with the Centre for Educational Initiatives, and in cooperation with the European Wergeland Centre. The Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine and the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine were also partners in the course.

During the training course, 30 practitioners gained the necessary competences to conduct education for democratic citizenship and human rights education activities (EDC/HRE) in their communities in formal, non-formal and informal educational settings based on the Compass approaches.

The training course particularly emphasised the cooperation between various stakeholders in Ukraien aiming at making citizenship and human rights education available to young people in schools, youth centres, or open spaces, running activities led by civil society.

The Coordinating Committee for International Voluntary Service (CCIVS) works on the development and coordination of voluntary service worldwide. CCIVS is running a multi-year project to develop strategies to decolonise the international voluntary service (IVS). The project seeks to build a new framework for decolonial thinking in international voluntary service organisations and to reflect on diversity, equality and environmental sustainability. As part of this project, 18 activists met in July 2023 to seek ways of implementing changes in their organisations and activities. During a week, participants got a deeper understanding of the challenges of decolonisation. As a result, participants will continue their advocacy work and social media campaigns and develop a curriculum for training new volunteers.

“Voluntary service organisations are challenging the division of North and South, trying to find ways to see the world differently. This week we are building a community to bring systematic changes to the world.” (Jago, participant from SCI Catalunya)

“We need to have more people to raise their voice on our topics. We also need to reach people with power. We will advocate on changing the narratives of the IVS, the economic structures behind the IVS, the visa mobility restrictions and addressing the environmental challenges connected to the IVS.” (Dani, participant from Fundación SES Argentina)

What kind of career guidance and counselling services are available for young Ukrainians? What challenges do they face when entering the labour market? What are the consequences of the Russian aggression? 
Read the latest EU Youth Wiki chapter on employment and entrepreneurship in Ukraine.