About INTER ALIA YOUTH NETWORK 2018-2020

In 2018, Inter Alia established a pan-European network of youth organisations that will collaborate through the development of new projects, the exchange of practices and expertise and the promotion of common activities until 2020.

Youth is an age often associated with change, experimentation and fluidity. And while social, economic and cultural circumstances may constitute “youth” a vastly diverse experience as to its duration and the space for exploration it provides, the period between the dependency of childhood and the “independence” of adulthood is definitely formative for youngsters and their emotional, social and professional development. This is why working with youth requires the capacity to absorb, adjust and explore. In this context, Inter Alia’s strategy puts in action its existing know-how and builds on previous projects while attempting to introduce new viewpoints, notions and methods.

Effective partnerships make our three, ambitious yearly plans, attainable. Complementarity of approaches and fields of expertise was a central factor for the selection of network members. Broad geographic coverage in line with the respective social needs and the capacity of partners to mobilize local communities, experts and stakeholders, were equally significant. Most partnerships build on existing initiatives while new ones will be added as we go, based on partners' profile that fit to the priorities of the network and could offer fresh inputs that diversify its impact.

Along with network members we have agreed upon cooperation and decision making mechanisms. Besides, the network shall organise capacity building activities for its members and jointly plan activities for different interested groups in partner communities (youngsters, organizations, public authorities, experts and youth workers).

Regular consultation with target groups constitutes a central feature of the strategy. Partner organizations shall work with local communities to specify and prioritize social challenges and tackle them through feasible actions. The activities foreseen by Inter Alia’s strategy, address four multi-dimensional, interconnected themes: education, political engagement, research and cultural awareness. Depending on the primary thematic area, network members shall decide upon a specific set of activities based on local needs. Besides, through diverse monitoring and evaluation activities (partner meetings, group reflection, questionnaires) trustful relationships within the network and the respective target groups shall be established thus maximizing the impact of the strategy and the yearly plans.

Stakeholder analysis is an important preparatory step for all planned activities. We primarily aim at stakeholders with high influence among target groups in the sense of high power and high interest in our cause. Also, the plan includes parties that currently hold low power but have significant dynamics in their fields and could grow through participation in planned activities. Different groups are targeted by different activities. Yet, there is an underlying emphasis placed on the role of youth professionals due to its significance for supporting the youth navigate their way out of the current predicament in a cohesive and sustainable manner.

The strategy opts for diversity and foresees quality actions regardless of scale. It includes actions taking place at local level and remote areas, to regional, to European and global. In this way, beyond their specific aims, the projects will contribute to the diversification of networks, partnerships and stakeholders at all levels. Funding will be sought by different sources and sectors in order to remain able to set our own agenda and pursue our vision for Europe with as little external intervention as possible.

​Summary of the Work Plan 2018
The role and impact of youth work in the EU has significantly increased, especially after the eruption of multiple crises and their economic, social and political effects on youth (unemployment, marginalization, radicalization). In this context, the work plan 2018 aims to:

• Enhance youth engagement and empowerment through civic participation and sense of initiative;
• Promote non-formal learning  as an essential supplement to formal education and evoke alternative learning contexts;
• Establish quality standards for youth work and advocate for its official recognition across the EU;
• Enable intercultural exchange;
• Foster mobility and volunteerism.

Methods & Activities
The work-plan 2018 capitalizes on the diversity of Inter Alia’s partnerships and fields of expertise. Thus, the network will combine non-formal learning methods and academic knowhow for dealing with contemporary challenges of youth. In collaboration with network members, the work plan will: a. exchange and up-scale existing ideas and projects and open them to  bigger audience and more target groups and b. develop new projects and initiatives that will be elaborated on an international level but be primarily applied on the local level.
The work plan focuses on education, political engagement, research and cultural awareness. Some of the subfields tackled are: active citizenship, youth work, sustainability, social innovation, intercultural exchange, migrant integration, volunteerism and EU enlargement. The methods used in the non-formal learning activities are peer-learning and learning-by-doing. With regards to theoretically oriented activities, the network will organize conferences, policy-making debates and field research.

Partnerships
Our work plan involves 25 organizations, 6 networks, 6 educational institutions & 3 municipalities from 20 countries.

Expected Results
The work plan will contribute to the proliferation and diversification of networks, partnerships and stakeholders dealing with needs of youth at local, national, EU and international level. In this context, we aspire to: a. Develop skills and competences for youngsters, youth workers and educators; b. Raise interest and awareness of young people on EU matters and particularly on participation in the EP Elections; c. Enable intercultural understanding between "majorities" and "minorities"; d. Empower grassroots and social initiatives; e. Chart policy recommendations to support the official recognition of youth work; f. Promote integration of migrant communities.

Target Groups
Youth workers & educators; Civic and youth organizations; High-school and university students; Migrants and migrant communities; Citizens of  rural communities; Policy-makers; Scholars.
 
Deliverables

• Learning Modules(2)*
• Academic publications(2)
• Documentary movies(2)
• Policy recommendations(3)
• Conference minutes(3)
• Videos & photo collections(4)
• Awareness campaigns(2)
• Festivals & performances(2)
• Exhibitions(6)

Funding
Apart from EU funding, IA will continue cooperating with private and public international organizations, local and national authorities and donors.

Summary of Inter Alia’s Work Plan for 2019
The role and impact of civil society, particularly in the youth field, has significantly increased after the eruption of multiple European crises and their economic, social and political effects on youth (unemployment, marginalisation, radicalisation). In this framework of significant potentials and increased responsibility, Inter Alia’s work plan 2019 aims to:
·     Enhance youth engagement and empowerment through democratic education, civic participation and sense of initiative in view of the EP elections 2019;
·     Enable intercultural exchange;
·     Foster mobility and volunteerism;
·     Promote the work of youth organisations and the co-existence of formal and non-formal education.

Methods & Activities
The work-plan capitalises on the diversity of Inter Alia’s partnerships and expertise. The network combines non-formal learning methods and scholarly knowhow for dealing with contemporary challenges of youth. By enabling cooperation among network members, the work plan will: a. exchange and up-scale existing ideas and projects and open them to bigger audience and more target groups and b. develop new projects and initiatives that will be elaborated on the EU level but be primarily applied on the local level.

The work plan focuses on education, political engagement, research and cultural awareness. Some of the subfields tackled are: active citizenship, civic education, youth work, sustainability, cultural exchange and volunteerism. The methods used in the civic and educational activities are peer-learning and learning-by-doing. With regards to scholarly activities, IA and its partners will organize conferences, focus groups, on-line surveys, policy-making debates and structured dialogue.

Partnerships
The network involves 60 partners (organisations, educational, municipalities) from 24 countries. The organisations and educational institutions will introduce results to its youth. The networks will promote the visibility of activities and recruit partners. The municipalities will channel results into policy making and inform citizens about them.
Expected Results

The work plan will empower youth organisations and enable partnerships thus contributing to the proliferation and diversification of networks and stakeholders dealing with needs of youth at local, national and EU level. More specifically, we aspire to: a. Raise interest and awareness of young people on EU matters particularly in view of the EP Elections; b. Develop skills and competences for youngsters, youth workers and educators; c. Enable intercultural understanding between "majorities" and "minorities"; d. Raise awareness among policy-makers on challenges of youth.

Target Groups
European youngsters; Youth workers & educators; Civic and youth organizations; High-school and university students; Policy-makers; Scholars.

Deliverables

• Modules on media literacy, democratic education, community development;
• Short-films created by youngsters (15);
• Policy recommendations on youth policies, media literacy, democratic education in schools (3)
• E-platform about youth participation;
• Videos on Europeans who can inspire youth (4);
• Performances using theatre as a tool for political engagement (6);
• Awareness campaigns on fake news and participation in EP elections (2);
• Festivals aimed to empower young artists (2).

Funding
Apart from EU funding, IA will continue cooperating with private and public international organizations, local and national authorities and donors.

Summary of the Work Plan for 2020
The role and impact of civil society, particularly in the youth field has significantly increased after the eruption of multiple European crises and their economic, social and political effects on youth (unemployment, marginalisation, radicalisation). In this framework, the work plan 2020 aims to:

• Enhance youth engagement and empowerment through democratic education, advocacy and civic participation;
• Enable inter-cultural exchange;
• Foster mobility and volunteerism;
• Promote the work of youth organisations and the co-existence of formal and non-formal education.

Methods & Activities
The work-plan capitalises on the diversity of Inter Alia’s partnerships and expertise. The network combines non-formal learning methods and scholarly knowhow for dealing with contemporary challenges of youth. By enabling cooperation among network members, the work plan will: a. exchange and up-scale existing ideas and projects and open them to bigger audience and more target groups and b. develop new projects and initiatives that will be elaborated on the EU level but be primarily applied on the local level.
The work plan focuses on education, political engagement, research and cultural awareness. Some of the subfields tackled are: advocacy, active citizenship, civic education, youth work, sustainability, cultural exchange and volunteerism. The methods used in the civic and educational activities are peer-learning and learning-by-doing. With regards to scholarly activities, IA and its partners will organize conferences, focus groups, on-line surveys, policy-making debates and structured dialogue.

Partnerships
The network involves 65 organisations, 5 educational institutions, 4 networks and 3 municipalities from 24 countries. The organisations and educational institutions will introduce results to its youth. The networks will promote the visibility of activities and recruit partners. The municipalities will channel results into policy making and inform citizens about them.

Expected Results
The work plan will empower youth organisations and enable partnerships thus contributing to the proliferation and diversification of networks and stakeholders dealing with needs of youth at local, national and EU level. More specifically, we aspire to: a. Raise interest and awareness of young people on EU matters; b. Develop skills and competences for youngsters, youth workers and educators; c. Enable contact and inter-cultural exchange between youngsters which are divided by ethnicity, social position etc.; d. Raise awareness among policy-makers on challenges of youth and push for policy reform.

Target Groups
Youngsters residing in Europe; Youth workers & educators; Civic and youth organizations; High-school and university students; Policy-makers; Scholars.

Deliverables

• Educational modules on media literacy, open data and intercultural competences;
• Short-films created by youngsters carrying marginalised identities (12);
• Policy recommendations on youth policies, media literacy, open data & democracy (3)
• E-platform about youth participation;
• Performances using theatre as a tool for political engagement (6);
• Open cultural events about shrinking public space (25);
• Awareness campaigns on shrinking public space (2);
• Festivals aimed to empower young artists and raise awareness on oppressed identities

​Funding
Apart from EU funding, IA will continue cooperating with private and public international organizations, local and national authorities and donors.