Opposition has been growing to the European Commission's proposal, “Erasmus for All”, which would subsume seven existing programmes, including Youth in Action. Many youth organisations use the Youth in Action programme for volunteer services, youth exchanges and other projects. Under the new programme, parts of the current Youth in Action programme will remain only in the sector of volunteer services and youth exchanges. Youth organisations fear that by integrating the Youth in action programme there is a danger that more powerful institutions (such as universities) could dominate the whole programme, and thus would be in a far better position to be successful applicants than NGOs.

The current generation of programmes is tailor-made to the specific needs of each sector. This specificity threatens to be lost in the new programme. Furthermore, the new proposal has omitted the concept of lifelong learning. The current EU youth programme, which runs up to the end of 2013, supports non-formal educational. Within the new programme, non-formal education is seen only as part of the formal education system, as a tool to help young people improve their employability.

On 15th December, as one of thirty stakeholders, the European Youth Forum expressed some concerns regarding the proposed programme. These concerns dealt with the need to reinforce the lifelong learning dimension and the recognition of the importance of non-formal education. The programme should also go beyond improving employability and strengthen the complementary aims of learning – active citizenship and social inclusion. The Forum's “Where are you going?” campaign is asking the European Parliament to support a strong and independent Youth in action Programme for non-formal education, youth work and democratic youth organisations.

Useful links:

“Erasmus for All: The EU Programme for Education, Training, Youth and Sport”, European Commission, 23rd November 2011

K Jansone, “EYCE calls for support of the MOs in lobbying for an independent Youth in Action Programme”, Ecumenical Youth Council of Europe, 29th November 2011

N Puffett, "EU funding for youth projects under threat, BYC warns”, Children & Young People Now, 6th January 2012

"'Erasmus for All' or for some?”, EUROCHAMBRES, 23rd November 2011

"European Commission proposes new multiannual financial framework for 2014-2020”, Democracy and Human Rights Education in Europe (DARE), 30th June 2011

“30 Stakeholders' Adopt Common Messages on the “Erasmus For All” Programme”, 15th December 2011

Where are youth going?