# data[].attributes.headline
How do both European programmes contribute to respect(ing) and safeguard(ing) European values (and do they?)

# data[].attributes.subject
How do both European programmes contribute to respect(ing) and safeguard(ing) European values (and do they?)

# data[].attributes.headline
What else is calling to be done in this area and why?

# data[].attributes.subject
What else is calling to be done in this area and why?

# data[].attributes.body
Strategic Priorities of programmes do reflect the promotion of European Values

Some of the most endangered youth however are still not reached so we need to continue working on inclusion of those not being very involved in the democratic process yet.

# data[].attributes.body
European values should be more concrete an reachable, in order to be reaching marginalized youth, for example the solidarity corps could be a way to get there. It is necessary to use understandable words.

New developments to take into consideration: e.g. critical processing of information

Programmes are tackling European values "fluffy": Could there be some specific quastion in the application form? A further explanation what is meant? However, this should not be too much of a restrictive definition. Maybe examples as an inspiration?

Take into consideration democratic involvement in non-classical forms. Have a broad outlook on participation - not only mock parliaments but also for ex. activism or solidarity projects.

# data[].attributes.body
more focus on resilience of young people as a counterfeit to current daily uncertainities and help young people to overcome change

young people with fewer opportunities and special needs should participate in both programmes at a larger % - national projects (Solidarity projects, Youth participation projects) help such young people to participate in both programmes even without travellling, as some young people with fewer opportunities are reluctant to travel

more youth work on how not to stigmatize young people with fewer opportunities and, if such things happen in projects, how to teach young people good ethic conduct towards young people with fewer opportunities, teach inclusive language etc. - the work is still in progress in many countries

keep "Democracy and values" as a horizontal priority in both programmes; counterfighting stereotypes, promoting tolerance towards diversity should be more underlined - especially in the current situation in Europe. Common values should help us to build to the image of Europe as a common construct

# data[].attributes.body
E+ and ESC programmes have a magnificent role in enhancing competencies of young people, empower young people already from the age of 13 and allow them to be responsible and conscious citizens - to go over the daily struggle and think more strategically: whom to vote for, what can I do regarding new laws for young people

for majority of young people the programmes are the first opportunity for mind-opening the world outside their bubble - in a family, at school etc. they travel and discover the world. Programmes help them to build their future network, discover Europe in practice

participation in projects boosts confidence, opens mind, but also gives a good work ethic that you dig into once you are employed

the values of both programmes (escpecially Erasmus+, YiA) help to build national laws (eg. "Law on youth" in North Macedonia) and to break down the stereotypes (BE-FR - overcoming racism)

programmes help to build up the gap where values at the national level are missing (eg. perception of/respect towards LGBTQ+ people in countries where right-wing parties are getting more attention)

programmes are mind-opener for the issues which should be addressed at the national level and are already well-defined at the European level (eg. mental health, bullying in schools)

programmes also help to build preventive measures - like resilience and personal strength of young people, they become more confident with themselves, their skills and competences and this should be definitely upheld; indivudual resilience is compulsory for good well-being and good mental health

programmes help to de-stigmatize issues which are important to young people - eg. depression, need for individual well-being, special needs

# data[].attributes.body
Erasmus+ and ESC projects are based on participation of participants. If the project is properly done, we have co-decision of the process. Young people learn on how to act in democratic society

Programmes unconsciously contribute to values. It is happening anyway

Group activities contribute to pluralism in society

Solidarity is an EU value. ESC strongly contributes to this topic

Erasmus+ youth exchanges are also long term projects (not only short activity)

# data[].attributes.body
This is happening already by definition as European programs

Research and participants' surveys show that they contribute

There are also other ways to reach these goals, everyone is not interested in the mobility programs

The programs are quite stiff (specifically on the funds allocation)

National contributions also to the programs (possible expansion and enlargement of the programs in neighborhood countries)

# data[].attributes.body
Expansion of target group and outreach

# data[].attributes.body
Peer-to-peer exchange is crucial to get other young people engaged. More important than social media. Sharing living experiences is the best motivation for other young people to engage in the programmes. We should invest more in ambassadors networks of young people and equip them with tools to share the value of their experiences.

# data[].attributes.body
Opportunities are not available to all young people. Values could be better distributed.

Making things easier, with less rules, less bureaucracy, thus increasing accessability.

Make the governments feel the responsibility of supporting the programmes.

Financial literacy should be promoted.

Young people who have already participated in the programmes should be used as multipliers ("ambassadors").

# data[].attributes.body
How to reach the networks and communities around participants with/through the values the European programmas represent and reflect (some reference to internationalisation@home)?

# data[].attributes.body
More young people show interest and willingness to contribute. That's a sign that the programmes do contribute to European values.

Travelling, going to other places gives young people the feeling of being involved, of being European. That attitude is important.

# data[].attributes.body
It is inherent to the programs. The whole idea of solidarity is already an EU value. Therefore European Solidarity Corps is a strong contribution for this topic. That is why it should be reinforced. Also mobility is closely linked with diversity: the interest of meeting people with different backgrounds.

Elections. Curious about how participation will be in the elections in particular in countries as Hungary, and specifically in disadvantage areas or rural areas or roma population: Both programs have a huge potential and tools to encourage participation in elections.

# data[].attributes.body
AT international regional example - each year (summer) one book on democracy (e-book week) made by youth and promoted trough all included countries/partners (funded by both E+ and AT local governments).

IT NA labs on all horizontal priorities of the programme - one per month - youth workers, youth and other interested are involved - 25/30 participants in Rome. At the end of the whole circle book/guidelines/directions/promotion will be developed.

At some point cross-sectoral dimension was a bit lost and on the topic of democracy and values we really need close cooperation between education institutions and youth work/youth. Safeguard E+ and ESC since participation and democratic values are their core elements.

# data[].attributes.body
practice in SK: extra national funding for organisations to manage and support international volunteering. Capacity building and support to sustainable international volunteering.

# data[].attributes.body
The NAs role is crucial, as they help to translate the young people's needs and wants into projects that also support EU-values and promote the programme goals vis-a-vis EU-values

# data[].attributes.body
The European programmes for youth create impact on many different levels: individual, organizational, local, societal. This happens via projects that aim explicitly to work on democracy, and via implicit learning (e.g. learning by doing). The youthpass is mentioned as a key instrument to reflect on the learning. To conclude: both programmes support democracy and values in many different ways.

# data[].attributes.body
The programme is one of the best and most effective as well as conrete learning environments where young people can really practice and try out participatory, democratic processes

The projects serve both the individual needs for skills and knowledge, but also the structures and organisations needs to develop approaches towards promoting EU-values.

# data[].attributes.body
its the founding idea of the programmes

RAY results prove, that the projects bring people closer to the EU and feeling of european citizenship

Opportunities to experience first-hand the values

If you want to understand something, you have to experience it - and the programmes are unique in providing the opportunity to experience the EU and its values

Maybe we need more dedicated actions to inclusive and cohesive projects; inspiration in E&T sector - Policy Experimentation

Sometimes unclear if some of the values are really truly shared among countries

# data[].attributes.body
Participation is still a bit hidden in the programs it should be stressed more.

We reach the people that we have already reached the goal should be to attract new people.

Peer to peer influence should be used because sometimes it is more effective than campaigns. Programmes create a lot of opportunities for this.

Discover EU has a great potential to reach new participants that have never been in the programmes and are not so aware of EU Values. They could be put in touch with former volunteers of European Solidarity Corps.

Transnational activities are also good to find potential partners.

Put young people in the center, as protagonists. That is the way to increase involvement. Let them talk about the things they want to talk about. If you give them space rather than "preaching"

# data[].attributes.body
Locally embedded projects, also shaped and steered by young people themselves such as participation projects and solidarity projects, offer important spaces for young people to practice democracy and participation.

# data[].attributes.body
Need to clearly know what are EU values and what values we need to focus on

A better use of the programmes could contribute to slow democratic backsliding

Budget of the programmes should be increased

# data[].attributes.body
EU programmes contribute greatly. The added value in understanding EU and contributing to peace cannot be underestimated.

Mobility gives an important input to the European identity, they help to get to know eachother, gain value, gain skills.

Both programmes are learning programmes, they give chances to yp to experiment/experience european values and in particular and to get in touch with these values in a non-formal way,this is not always a garentue in the formal education sector. Youth participation activities are unique space to learn, experiment with democracy participation.

The fact that funding on the European level specifically for young people and for youth organisation is there, is already an important signal that Europe values them. This is an important message that the EU send to young people and valorises them.

the different Priorities gives input to the European values and what Europe stands for.

Values are in the core of the programmes and this should remain.

The EU programmes give opportunity to yp that are not going on a transnational education experience esp. the ESC plays an important role . Bringing yp together makes people better realise what are the common values

Active citizenship and democracy, solidarity are values that should remain in the centre of the programmes.

# data[].attributes.body
local activities within solidarity projects (different campaigns), active participation projects, horizontal priorities - specially participation; the whole dimension of solidarity within ESC, TCA activities on participation and democracy, SNAC's (Democracy realoding, Europe goes local etc.), KITs on participation done by SALTO PI - with al of this we show that Europe is in their own community - KEEP the local value since this is the one that (young) person will mostly connect with.

# data[].attributes.body
How to engage young people who feel alienated from Europe or are excluded from the opportunities offered by the programmes (e.g. time, resources)? Too often we reach the usual suspects.

# data[].attributes.body
Extend our outreach to organisations and networks who reach out to young people and this not only through youth work organisations. Find the youngsters where they are (e.g. sports, arts, ...).

# data[].attributes.body
We can build in structures to assure we finance projects and actions that respect the EU-values, this is not a problem. But actively safeguarding in practice is different issue. Preaching does not work, but activating young people to work in these questions can be very effective.

Regarding focusing supporting countries like Russia and e.g. the dissidents there is in theory also possible, but in practice difficult as it is not clear if there are spheres free from government control -> safeguarding becomes difficult.

# data[].attributes.body
Important entry points in the architecture of the European programmes to experience diversity, dialogue , participation: to keep (like local/national projects)

# data[].attributes.body
Power of the programmes: The first time to experience and live democracy and participation in practice as a personal experience, by the nature of the participatory approach in the programmes. Stimulates further engagement in society.

# data[].attributes.body
Can you change something in the system to make the programmes more effective? An idea: European non-profit travel agency that promotes and supports green and sustainable travel.

# data[].attributes.body
Strengthen outreach to youth organizations.

Strengthen the connections with the neighbouring partner countries.

Streamlining the horizontale priorities.

# data[].attributes.body
Youth participation is very important for all young people. It should become an overarching objective of the programme. It is very crucial that the EU values and democratic principles (is an EU value) are a horizontal priority throughout the programmes.

It is important that there is a better common understanding what the EU values are.

It is broader than democracy as a priority; it is also about how E+ contributes to places for youth where they can participate / support to civic society. Some national organisations face difficulties to receive funding. Should be good if E+ has more room for both structural funding (for strategic organisations implementing the youth strategy) apart from funding for activities.

However the E+ Youth and ESC brand is not so much known among young people. They need to know how to do it; not all young people have access to youth organisations in their neigbourhood.

# data[].attributes.body
Youth programmes do respect and safeguard European values.

European youth programmes should not be considered as a luxury, but a standard. They should be available for all young people regardless of their background.

Personal experience and participation on the programmes create belonging to a larger European community.

Projects need follow-up - impact on the attitudes need a longer process; maybe new projects and also national activities.

How to foster these values in the current political atmosphere. How to co-operete and who with? How to support civil society and civic activities time? Youth programmes create possibilities to co-operate with the countries and societies which are not part of the EU and its core values at the moment.

The rising far-right movement is threatening democracy throughout Europe. How could youth programmes be used as a counteract for the threat.

# data[].attributes.body
Democracy and values for young people: first need is that it should be accessible for all young people: tools to apply & budget.

# data[].attributes.body
Yes, especially in the youth filed where cultural diversity and active participation in society, as well as democratic values paid an important role. It could be worth highlighting these values in youth projects and give more visibility to the fact that youth projects give opportunity to young people to engage in democratic life of their own community.

The programmes offer more than mobility and competence development, they give the opportunity to learn about democracy, societal participation, the workings of elections, etc. These opportunities don’t have enough visibility, but they can be used as tools to help young people to learn about European values.

European identity can be achieved by participation in international projects, which also gives the possibility to learn about common issues.

The programmes can give education to participants on the idea of Europe/on being a European citizen, thus also teaching about how life would be if the European community would not be available.

# data[].attributes.body
More funding, more projects, more people positively impacted

Systemic impact of projects should be more supported - possibly work with mulipliers, think of sustainability of the results...

DiscoverEU proved to be a valuable program despite original concerns.. do not be afraid to think outside of the box

Possibly check European values in DiscoverEU applications - short motivation to prove you want the ticket to grow and learn, rather than random draw

For DiscoverEU Inclusion Action broaden the age limit to allow more people to attend, even in groups that might be diverse in term of age; the name is discouraging

# data[].attributes.body
The programme is managed in a way that it creates a common standard and also inspires the national level.

Well being, methal health, sense of belonging, non-discrimination are focusses for the future.

Digital literacy could be more supported in the programme, the questions arises if this is the right programme for it, it requiers a specialised approach.

Youth projects/activities and organisations have a direct link with participation, and place themselves in the centre of the programme next to young people.

There is a need to Strenghten actions that support participation and democracy

# data[].attributes.body
More visibility and clarity should be given to the values held by the programmes in regards to: European citizenship, democracy, active societal participation - this should be “branded” in the programmes.

More visibility should be given to the fact that the programmes can be used as tools to help young people (and their communities) to learn about European values.

More attention should be given to non-EU member states when communicating European values and how they are connecting to these countries’ realities.

There is a community of participants growing which should be taken into account when thinking about the programmes, not just the individual outcomes should be in the focus. There should be a structure for the sharing of experiences and building community.

From individual learning mobility to WE!

# data[].attributes.body
The need to reach much higher numbers of young people on the issue of EU-values is very high. One of the solutions for this are the national actions and activities.

The national actions and activities could have a bigger share of the budget, and most importantly the flexibility between action lines should be bigger based on demand and perhaps even national needs.

The budget flexibility would also in the ideal case apply to relationship between Erasmus+ Youth and the separate ESC programme.

# data[].attributes.body
-The programmes are already contributing to solidarity, belonging, cultural diversity and inclusion as an added European value in the key actions in Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps. This resonates both in in-country activities/projects as well as international ones. RAY provides very clear data on that.

-Young people are motivated for their own growth and they want to contribute to the society and especially in VOL project they want to contribute to other societies than their own.

-With the change from EVS to ESC there was a notible shift to contributing to societal change, European values and young people giving back.

-The European programmes are more inclusive and the young people feel that they are more contributing.

-Democracy, human rights, equality, freedom of speech, solidarity, - we use the terminolagy the "values" a lot - where the values are sometimes vague and their presence in the projects.

-What are the national numbers detailing if the local elections have increased as the European elections have? Is there notible difference between European elections from national ones?

-We need to keep in mind that values can change through time - and the focus on them.

-The project that we fund should have a clear connection to the values.

-European values could be a priority of the programme

-Media literacy and critical thinking is a very important aspect - the young people that were born after the digitalization are very tech savvy so they need the space to connect and engage and they also need to be reached.

-Is there a need of discussion about the values? In the current situation (pandemic, wars etc.) are politicians thinking about European values and do they find them valuable/current? The values are sometimes questioned but there is need for a more discussion about the values and how they are perceived in a national context in different countries.

# data[].attributes.body
European values are maybe taken for granted and not very visable in the programmes.

Values such as human rights, active citizenship and freedom needs to be highlighted more in the current times we live in. Its the how, where and when we need to approach. It should be visable through the whole project cykle.

# data[].attributes.body
Currently the programme is about learning mobilities; the programme is more than learning and more than mobilities and when including this topic we should have a look at the branding of the future programme, so they reflect all objectives.

# data[].attributes.body
Democracy and values are already existent in the programmes (see RAY for impact);

# data[].attributes.body
-By getting more participants to the programmes. Some countries want to make the quality more/better in their own country. The difficulty is the measuring.

-The programmes support development in countries where youth work is not legislated.

-Is there a need for a framework/quality standards/legislation at a European level that identifies youth work throughout Europe?

-There's a need for an instrument to pressure local level.

-There is a lack of resources to be able to fully use the programmes to progress youth work in some countries/context.

-Micro grants to get young people into (low threshold) the programmes and making them active, helping them to progress, get to know the programmes, help them elvate their small grant projects into bigger local projects and then international projects.

-There are different needs for the young people that drive them into the youth work and to the youth workers. The field is getting very broad to accommodate different realities and support - mental health, societal well being etc. The youth work field can assist there but there's a process for the youth workers to get familiarized with the current trends and issues. It's hard to prioritize the youth work education/competences based on what's happening every now and then.

-Accreditation in youth helps organisations work on a strategy that allows for them to be more able to get more education/tools/etc. that helps them progress towards current trends.

-We would probably have no international mobility projects/cooperation, less understanding of other cultures and diversity, democratic problems would be much bigger, we wouldn't have all the Erasmus+ babies. The EU programmes are a flagship of international learning mobility with instant impact on the participants - they're not just making friends, creating a network but they're growing their competence and broadening their minds.

# data[].attributes.headline
What are the remaining challenges in the implementation of the European youth programmes?

# data[].attributes.subject
What are the remaining challenges in the implementation of the European youth programmes?

# data[].attributes.body
What do they impede?

# data[].attributes.body
-IT challenges is lingering - the request is also coming from IT personel. Accessability and inclusion is sometimes lacking. It's time-consuming for NA's and for BEN.

-Lack of funds - we need more solidarity in Europe in current times and therefor more projects.

-We should be more focused on the impact of the projects instead of technicalities of orgs/applicants.

-Raising the unit costs even more - the youth sector is truly left behind, compared to other sectors in E+ - despite the raising of units in 2024.

-More funds for the programmes to fulfill their purpose.

-Youth should get a bigger piece of the Erasmus+ cake! If we increase the cake to 11% instead of 10 - then the youth sector should have up to 25% of all the participants (based on the current numbers).