Youth exchanges, raising awareness, voluntary activities, trainings and networking will be the focus of a new programme supporting cooperation with the Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries in the field of youth, adopted today by European Commission.  A press release said the programme, with a €29 million budget for 2012-2013, will help mobilize over 1,400 projects involving about 21,000 young people and youth workers.

 
The Eastern Partnership Youth Window, which is part of the EU Youth in Action Programme, will help foster cooperation opportunities among young people, youth workers and organisations from the EU and the EaP countries, with a special emphasis on support to disadvantaged young people living in rural or poor urban areas.
 
“Young people are crucial for the harmonious development of inclusive societies and for successful future collaboration with our neighbours,” said Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle, adding: “For this reason we have approved this programme, to support young people – particularly those with fewer opportunities – and their active participation in society."
 
Of the total budget earmarked for 2012-2013, €14 million is dedicated for 2012 and €15 million for 2013. This year’s funds will be used to support projects due to be implemented in 2013.
 
The Eastern Partnership Youth Window programme is evidence of continued dialogue between the EU and the EaP countries in the field of education, youth and culture, the press release said.
 
The Eastern Partnership was launched in 2009 to further support the Eastern European countries and bring them closer to the EU through political association and economic integration. (EU Neighbourhood Info)