About JUGEND für Europa

JUGEND für Europa has supported European integration since 1988, particularly by promoting the mobility of young people and experts as well as fostering youth policy cooperation across Europe. European youth work and youth policy are more crucial than ever, for Europe needs European solutions that are translated into practice at the national level.

In this capacity, the agency is responsible for implementing Erasmus+ Youth in Action in Germany. As from 1 January 2014 we are one of the four National Agencies for the EU Programme Erasmus+ in Germany.

We implement and support projects for child and youth services experts, decision-makers, researchers, and young people who are active in this field. We collaborate with a large number of respected national and international partners. We work on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ) and the European Commission.

JUGEND für Europa is legally attached to IJAB - International Youth Service of the Federal Republic of Germany (IJAB - Fachstelle für Internationale Jugendarbeit der Bundesrepublik Deutschland e.V.).

Our areas of activity:

• Implementing the EU programmes Erasmus+ Youth in Action and European Solidarity Corps in Germany
• Promoting youth policy cooperation across Europe
• Supporting the implementation of the EU-Youth Strategy in Germany
• Contributing to the development of an Independent Youth Policy
• Contributing to the development of a European Training Strategy
• Designing European schemes for the recognition of non-formal learning achievements
• Contributing to the development of a European approach towards youth work and child and youth services in various thematic fields

As the National Agency for the EU programmes Erasmus+ Youth in Action (2014-2020) and European Solidarity Corps (2018-2020) we are responsible for implementing the programmes in Germany. We are part of a European network of 35 National Agencies in currently 33 countries across Europe.

Our activities include:

• Providing information on the objectives, possibilities, regulations and priority areas of the Youth in Action programme
• Using programme funds to support international youth exchanges, European Voluntary Service measures, young people's initiatives, youth democracy projects, training courses for experts working in non-formal youth education, and the structured dialogue between politicians and young people
• Advising people and organisations that are active in this field on planning, implementing and developing projects under the Erasmus+ Youth in Action programme
• Providing training to volunteers and full-time experts as well as young people active in this field
• Promoting cooperation and network-building among the users of the programme in Germany, Europe and beyond.

Since 2001 JUGEND für Europa has also functioned as a SALTO-YOUTH Training and Cooperation Resource Centre.

SALTO (Support for Advanced Learning & Training Opportunities) coordinates training measures that are offered by the network of National Agencies. It also designs special training courses that aim to raise the quality of projects under the Youth in Action programme and supports the National Agencies in implementing measures in priority areas and providing support to their partner regions.

There are eight SALTO-YOUTH Resource Centres all over Europe. For more information on the Centres, go to www.salto-youth.net/rc.

In late 2005 the European Commission commissioned us in our capacity as a SALTO Centre to develop the Youthpass scheme, a documentation and certification system for all non-formal and informal learning achievements gained under the Erasmus+ Youth in Action programme.

JUGEND für Europa and the implementation of the EU Youth Strategy

The Federal Ministry has set up two project agencies that are affiliated with JUGEND für Europa. They support joint activities at the Federal and Länder level and implement the Ministry's own projects.

• Service Agency for the Implementation of the EU Youth Strategy in Germany (2010-2018)
• Transfer Agency for Youth Policy Cooperation between Germany and the EU (2010-2017)

Both agencies support the Federal Government and the Länder in the following areas:

• Coordinating joint activities between at the Federal and Länder level
• Supporting implementation in the Länder
• Promoting the involvement of Länder representatives in Brussels
• Supporting the work of the advisory council for Youth Strategy implementation in Germany

• Transfer of youth policy initiatives between Germany and Europe
• Development of and support for peer learning processes associated with the Strategy's implementation
• Implementation of multinational cooperation projects on behalf of the Ministry
• Design and development of projects involving two or more European countries

The Agencies fulfill a variety of information and advisory functions on behalf of institutions, Federal and Länder representation offices and agencies, and civil society in connection with the EU Youth Strategy and its instruments.