European Youth Forum

History

The European Youth Forum is a European international organisation, which was established in 1996 by national youth councils and international non-governmental youth organisations. It works as the successor to the Council of European National Youth Committees (CENYC), Youth Forum of the European Communities (YFEU) and the European Co-ordination Bureau of International Youth Organisations (ECB). CENYC and ECB had been representing youth interests since the sixties. The YFEU was set up by them in the late 1970s to work vis a vis the European Union (then called the European Community). The establishment of a single structure replacing all three was a major rationalisation.

Vision, mission and aims

According to the European Youth Forum, their Vision, mission and aims are as follows:

Vision

To be the voice of young people in Europe, where young people are equal citizens and are encouraged and supported to achieve their fullest potential as global citizens.

Mission

The European Youth Forum is an independent, democratic, youth-led platform, representing national youth councils and international youth organisations from across Europe.

The Youth Forum works to empower young people to participate actively in society to improve their own lives, by representing and advocating their needs and interests and those of their organisations.

Aims

Increase the participation of young people and youth organisations in society, as well as in decision-making processes;

Positively influence policy issues affecting young people and youth organisations, by being a recognised partner for international institutions, namely the European Union, the Council of Europe and the United Nations;

Promote the concept of youth policy as an integrated and cross-sectoral element of overall policy development, namely through youth mainstreaming;

Facilitate the participation of young people through the development of sustainable and independent youth organisations at the national and international level, particularly in respect to ensuring dependable, adequate funding for them;

Promote the exchange of ideas and experience, mutual understanding, as well as the equal rights and opportunities among young people in Europe;

Uphold intercultural understanding, democracy, respect, diversity, human rights, active citizenship and solidarity;

Contribute to the development of youth work in other regions of the world.

Current Board

Each board elected by the entire membership every 2 years at the General Assembly, it is made up of:

President nominated from a National Youth Council (NYC) and/or an International Non-Governmental Youth Organization (INGYO).

Vice-President nominated from a National Youth Council (NYC)

Vice-President nominated from an International Non-Governmental Youth Organization (INGYO)

4 board members nominated from a National Youth Council (NYC)

4 board members nominated from an International Non-Governmental Youth Organization (INGYO)

The Secretary General attends the board meetings as a non-voting ex-officio

Funding

In 2012, almost 87% of the Youth Forum income stemmed from annual grants from international institutions. 83.9% of the total income came from the European Communities’ Budget, through a grant from DG Education and Culture, while around 3.2% was from Council of Europe grants.

Partnership projects also constitute an essential part of Youth Forum income, and such income includes the support of partner organisations for concrete activities, e.g. YFJ Member Organisations hosting YFJ meetings, or grants from foundations or other entities, such as the United Nations, Governments or Local Authorities.

Volunteer Time Contributions (VTCs)are an essential source of external funding, and which allow the YFJ to fulfill its co-funding requirements as per the European Commission. VTCs also represent the further recognition of volunteer work as an important contribution to society and to the work of youth organisations. These contributions in 2012 represent approximately 4.8% of the Youth Forum budget.

Membership

The European Youth Forum has 99 member organizations of two types of Membership: National Youth Council and International Non-Governmental Youth Organization, of which there are three levels: Observer, Candidate and Full member. Only full members may vote at the statutory meetings of the Forum.

According to the statues:

All members have to fulfil the following general criteria:

to accept and work for the purpose of the Forum;

to be a non-governmental and not for profit organisation;

to have democratic aims and structures and accept the principles of the European Convention of Human Rights;

to fully acknowledge the Statutes of the Forum;

to work with young people and have a decision making body controlled by young people;

not to be subject to direction in their decisions by any external authority.

National Youth Councils

Presently there are 40 National Youth Councils who are members of the European Youth Forum. Poland, Hungary and Macedonia both have recently established National Youth Councils who are not yet part of the European Youth Forum. Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo/a and Turkey don't currently have recognized National Youth Councils.

National Youth Council members must: a) be the national co-ordination body of non-governmental youth organisations in a European State; b) be open to all democratic youth organisations at national level To be full members they must be open to all and represent most of the main democratic youth movements and organisations at the national level in that State.

International Non-Governmental Youth Organisations

Presently there are 57 International Non-Governmental Youth Organisations who are members of the European Youth Forum.

Full IYNGO Members either must have: at least 5000 young members in ten European States, and under no circumstances have less than 300 young members in any one of these ten States; or: have a motivated recommendation from: the Secretary-General and Board; or the Consultative Body on Membership Applications which advises the Board on Membership Applications.

Observer INGYO members must have 3000 young members in at least six European States with at least 100 members in any of these six states.

INGYOs cannot become members if they are largely identical in terms of aims, membership and structures of an existing INGYO, which is already a member. This is to be appreciated solely by the General Assembly, by a two thirds majority, abstentions not counted.