Under the framework of the European Programme for Employment and Social Innovation “EaSI” 2014-2020, the European Commission has issued a new call for proposals on Information sharing and outreach activities to young people about the Youth Guarantee.

What is the EaSI Programme?

The European Programme for Employment and Social Innovation “EaSI” 2014-2020 is a European-level financing instrument managed directly by the European Commission to contribute to the implementation of the Europe 2020 strategy, by providing financial support for the Union’s objectives in terms of promoting a high level of quality and sustainable employment, guaranteeing adequate and decent social protection, combating social exclusion and poverty and improving working conditions.

 Objectives of the EASI Programme and Types of actions

One of the objectives of EaSI is to facilitate effective and inclusive information-sharing, mutual learning and dialogue. As such, this call for proposals has the overarching objective of removing obstacles to Youth Guarantee implementation, notably by outreach, information sharing and communication activities leading to both of the following specific objectives:

1. To better inform/engage Youth Guarantee Stakeholders in implementing partnerships for Youth Guarantee
2. To better inform young people about the Youth Guarantee, engage with and reach out to them, with the aim of bringing them into the Youth Guarantee service

Thus, the proposed action should lead to enhanced partnerships among Youth Guarantee stakeholders and to an increased number of young people registered for Youth Guarantee services.

In particular, as for the first objective, the types of actions which may be funded are:

• actions aiming at the creation and improving of networks, cooperation mechanisms and exchange of good practices among Youth Guarantee provision and governance stakeholders; conferences, seminars; training activities.

While for the second objective:

• Outreach, information sharing and communication activities related to the Youth Guarantee; development and use of existing national ‘own media’ portals; social media communication; advertising (including digital) and ambient media; press and media relations; distribution of information and materials via existing networks in touch with young people, such as the Eurodesk network of multipliers; peer-to-peer outreach (involving young people e.g. as youth ambassadors); events, street outreach and visits and activities in youth centres.

EU Funding

The total budget assigned for the EU co-financing of projects under this call is estimated at EUR 1 650 000. The Commission expects to fund approximately five proposals ( maximum of one per EU Member State), although the Commission reserves the right not to distribute all the funds available.

The applicants must guarantee their co-financing as the EU grant may not exceed 80 % of the total eligible costs of the action.

Applicants Eligibility

In order to be eligible as lead applicant, applicants must be legal entities properly established and registered in EU countries. As for  co-applicants, they must be  from EU Member States or Iceland, Norway, Albania, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey.

Furthermore, they must be the relevant public authority in charge of establishing and managing the national Youth Guarantee scheme, or an entity (public or private, profit or not-for-profit) designated by the aforementioned public authority to implement the activities included in the proposal.

Submission deadline: 30 June 2016.

MORE INFORMATION ON THIS CALL CAN BE FOUND ON THE DEDICATED WEBPAGE OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION’S DG FOR EMPLOYMENT, SOCIAL AFFAIRS & INCLUSION.