Connect for Inclusion - Erasmus+ Youth and European Solidarity Corps – What’s in it for young people with disabilities?

On  the one side, there are organisations opening up to participants with disabilities and working to take further concrete steps. On the other side there are organisations that are self-representing, work for and with young persons with disabilities or work with diverse groups of youth and are interested in creating inclusive projects with partners across borders.

This event will offer space for getting to know other professionals’ work and experiences, challenges and successes. It will give the chance to find partners for future international projects within the EU programmes Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps.

This Partnership-building activity is for you, if: 

• You are interested in organising and implementing inclusive international projects open to young people with disabilities;
• You and your organisation are working with young people with disabilities or would like to include young people with disabilities in international activities; 
• You would like to improve international opportunities for young people with disabilities and support their active participation in international projects.

In this Partnership-building activity you will:

• Have an opportunity to find partner organisations for future international cooperation;
• Receive relevant information about funding opportunities for inclusive projects in Erasmus+ Youth and European Solidarity Corps;
• Be introduced to examples of past quality projects; 
• Spend time to develop concrete future international project ideas with new partners;
• Get support from facilitators and Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps  National Agency officers who will be present to answer questions and give advice.
• Before applying, check that you fit the following criteria:
• You represent (on voluntary or professional basis) an organisation that either already works with young people with disabilities/impairments (physical, cognitive, sensory, etc.) or is open to cooperate with organisations working with young people with disabilities in order to involve them in an international youth project.
• You have the support from your organisation to attend the Partnership-building activity;
• You are willing to develop and implement international youth projects within the frame of Erasmus+ youth or the European Solidarity Corps programme.
• You are minimum 18 years old
• You do not have to have prior knowledge of the Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps programmes. If you fit the above-mentioned criteria you are a relevant participant. We foresee a mix of organisations with different levels of experience with the programmes.

Safety and accessibility

In this event, we follow the principles of a safe space. We strive to ensure that everyone is met as their own self and that no one has to fear discrimination or harassment. We expect you to respect the same principle.

The partnership-building activity is inclusive and accessible to all. If you need to bring a personal assistant or a guide dog with you, or if you need an accessible room, sign language interpretation, tele loop, or other kind of support, we will provide it for you.

In order for us to support you in your participation, we have included a question about your individual needs in the application form. Of course, this does not have any influence on your application.

Should you have any questions or concerns regarding accessibility, please contact Solveiga Skaisgirytė (solveiga.skaisgiryte@jra.lt).

Important practical information about the event:

In the selection of participants, priority will be given to persons from countries participating in the Strategic Partnership for Inclusion (SPI) “Health and Disabilities”-strand (see description below).

The working language in this Partnership-building activity is English. International Sign will be provided if requested.

Participation:
Participants should arrive in Vilnius on 11th November in the afternoon (the programme starts at 18.00) and depart on 15th November (anytime). Participants are expected to be part of the full duration of the event. All board and lodging are foreseen from Monday 11th November dinner time, till after breakfast on Friday 15th November. Board and lodging costs will be covered by the Erasmus+ Youth and European Solidarity Corps programmes.

You can apply for participation via the button to the right on this page. In case you need a screen reader-friendly version of the questions in the application form, please contact Solveiga at solveiga.skaisgiryte@jra.lt and we will provide it for you.

Travelling:
Travel costs are covered by your National Agency of Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps. If necessary, we can arrange and cover adapted transport from Vilniu airport or Vilnius bus or train Stations to the venue. More detailed information about travel guidelines will be provided to the selected participants closer to the event.

Accommodation:
The Partnership-building activity will take place at Vilnius Grand Resort. The conference area as well as hotel area are accessible (rooms, elevator, toilets). If you have a personal assistant, we can book and cover the costs of an extra room. 

Meals:
The venue offers a buffet for all meals. We respect the diets and food allergies of all participants and selected participants will therefore be asked to provide information on their dietary needs prior to the event.

Programme:
You can download the tentative programme via the link below.

Organisers and co-organisers

National Agency of Youth Affairs (Lithuanian National Agency of Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity corps)

Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science (Danish National Agency of Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity corps)

Tempus Közalapítvány | Tempus Public Foundation (Hungarian National Agency of Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity corps)

JUGEND für Europa (German National Agency of Erasmus+ Youth, Erasmus+ Sports and the European Solidarity corps)

Agence Erasmus+ France Jeunesse and Sport- Agence du Service Civique (Frenche National Agency of Erasmus+ Youth, Erasmus+ Sports and the European Solidarity corps)

The Strategic Partnership on Inclusion (SPI)

The activity is part of the Strategic Partnership on Inclusion (SPI) “Health and Disabilities”-strand. For detailed information please see: https://www.salto-youth.net/rc/inclusion/inclusionfornas/spinclusion/

EASY-TO-READ VERSION:

"Connect for Inclusion" -

"Erasmus+ Youth and European Solidarity Corps.

Why is this important for young people with disabilities?

Cooperation-building activity

When will the networking activity take place?

The networking activities will take place

In 2024 from 11 to 15 November

Lithuania.

What is a Cooperation Building Activity?

A Co-operation Building Activity helps organisations to work together and carry out projects.

Such projects help people with disabilities.

At this event, professionals,

who work with young people will be able to:

- learn about each other's work,

- share experiences,

how they work together

- talk about difficult situations,

- discuss difficult situations that arise in their work,

- talk about success,

- find partners for future projects.

The projects are funded by

European Union programmes such as:

o Erasmus+ and

o "European Solidarity Corps."

These programmes run a variety of projects,

which can involve different countries.

You are eligible for this activity if:

- you want to organise projects involving young people with disabilities.

- you work with young people who have disabilities

or you want to involve them in international activities.

- you want to help young people with disabilities to participate in international projects.

International projects are projects that take place with other foreign countries.

During these activities you will:

- find partners for future international projects.

This means that you will be able to carry out projects together with partners from other countries.

- You will learn about the funding available for inclusive projects.

Inclusive projects are projects in which all people can participate and learn new things.

- Hear about projects that are successful.

- You will work with new partners to plan new projects.

- you will receive Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps
help and advice from the National Agencies on how to set up projects.

These agencies are national, which means they help different countries:

o providing training,

o running projects.

Before you apply, make sure that:

- you work with young people who have disabilities

or are preparing to work with them.

- Your organisation supports your entry into the activity.

- You are planning to carry out projects with young people from other countries.

- You are over 18 years old.

You don't need to know everything about the programmes in advance.

If you are able to take part in a project, we invite you to join.

We want everyone to feel safe and respected during the meeting.

Therefore:

- we can help with things like:

o Accessible rooms,

that are easy to get to,

o Sign language,

You can also bring your own assistant,

to help you during the meeting.

- Please specify the type of assistance you need in your application.

 If you need help, you can contact Solveiga Skaisgirytė. Solveiga's email address is solveiga.skaisgiryte@jra.lt

Important information:

- People from certain countries are given preference.

- We will speak English at the event.

- We can provide a sign language interpreter for the event.

- The event will take place from 11 to 15 November.

- We will pay all expenses related to the event.

- You can apply on this page.

- We will be staying at the Vilnius Grand Resort Hotel,

Where we will also have meals.