Empowerment of youth

{Last Update: 24.12.2025}

Skills Development Projects are international cooperation projects based on multilateral partnerships between organisations active in the youth field, both in Programme Countries and in third countries not associated to the Programme. Their aim is to support international cooperation and policy dialogue in the field of youth and non-formal learning as a mechanism for sustainable socio-economic development and well-being of youth organisations and young people.

Program Objectives

  • Increasing the capacity of organizations working with young people in the field of non-formal learning;
  • Promotion of non-formal learning activities in third countries not associated to the Programme, in particular targeted support for groups of young people with fewer opportunities, in order to improve the level of competences and ensure the active participation of young people in society;
  • Supporting the development of youth work in third countries not associated to the Programme, improving its quality and recognition;
  • Development, testing and launching of non-formal learning mobility schemes and programmes in third countries not associated with the Programme;
  • Contributing to the implementation of the European Union Youth Strategy (2019-2027);
  • Strengthening cooperation between countries from different regions through joint initiatives;
  • Promoting the participation of small organizations, as well as organizations from remote areas and small settlements
  • Strengthening synergies with formal education systems and/or the labor market.

activities

Activities may include:

  • Development of tools and methods for the socio-professional development of youth workers and trainers;
  • Developing non-formal learning methods, especially those that promote the acquisition/improvement of competencies, including media literacy skills;
  • Developing new forms of practical training schemes and simulating real-life cases in society; competencies, including media literacy skills;
  • Developing new forms of youth work, in particular the strategic use of open and flexible learning, virtual collaboration, open educational resources (OER) and better use of the potential of information and communication technologies;
  • Organizing events/seminars/workshops/best practice exchanges for the purposes of collaboration, networking, awareness raising and peer learning.
  • Organise mobility activities for young workers to test the tools and methods developed by the partnership. Please note that mobility activities should be secondary to the main objectives of the action and should be instrumental and supportive to the achievement of these objectives.

Who can apply?

Applicants must be:

  • Legal entities:
    • Non-governmental organisations (including European youth NGOs and national youth councils) working in the field of youth or
    • Public authorities at local, regional or national level;
    • Public or private companies (small, medium or large enterprises (including social enterprises)) can also participate, but not as coordinators.
  • Legally established in a Member State of the European Union or in a third country associated to the Programme, or in third countries not associated to the Programme, which are in Region 1 (Western Balkans), Region 2 (Eastern Neighbourhood), Region 3 (Southern Mediterranean countries) or Region 9.

The same organization may submit only one application as a coordinator within the same competition within the established deadline.

Composition of the consortium

Proposals must be submitted by at least 4 participants (beneficiaries, not related to each other) and meet the following conditions:

  • At least 1 legal entity from an EU Member State or a third country associated with the Programme;
  • At least 2 legal entities from 2 different third countries not associated to the programme and belonging to the same eligible region
    • Organizations from different relevant regions cannot participate in the same projects. Interregional projects are not allowed.

Place of activities

Activities must be carried out in the countries of the participating organizations.

Duration of the project

Projects should normally last between 12 and 36 months (extension possible, if justified)

Where to apply?

European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Call ID: ERASMUS-YOUTH-2026-CB

When is the application due?

Applicants must submit a grant application Until February 26, Until 17:00:00 Brussels time

 

Financing conditions

The grant is awarded on a lump-sum basis. The amount is determined by the granting authority based on the estimated project budget and a funding rate of 80%.

The maximum grant amount for Regions 1, 2, and 3 is 300.000 euros.