Call for participants
Fighting UNemployment through Networking for Youth (FUNNY)
Baku (Azerbaijan), 2-7December 2013
We are glad to invite you to take part in the project with a funny name FUNNY which actually addresses a grave issue of youth unemployment
European project «Fighting UNemployment through Networking for Youth» (FUNNY), approved by the European Commission within the framework of Youth in Action Programme, is a joint initiative of 20 associations from 17 countries in the enlarged Europe and its Neighbrouhood strongly active in the field of youth. The hosting organization will be AzerbaijaniNGO Alliance for Municipality Development (BINA).
General objectives of the project
Unemployment among Europe's young people has soared by 50% since the financial crisis started. According to ILO, Youth unemployment in Central and South East Europe raised more than in any other developing region in 2009; one in five economically active youth in the region was unemployed in 2010.
Therefore, FUNNY aims to reinforce the cooperation and networking among programme countries and their neighbours in a topic that is highly relevant for them all and crucial for youth. It will seek to give a concrete support to unemployed youth and an effective answer to the economic crisis.
Activities
FUNNY brings together 40 youth workers from 17 states of the enlarged Europe and support them to find partners for transnational cooperation in the field of the youth work, with specific attention to the issue of the youth unemployment. Unemployment, as an effect of the global economic crisis, is affecting mostly the youngest generations.
FUNNY will have the structure of a partnership building activity (PBA). The main action consists of a 5-day transnational event taking place around Baku, Azerbaijan. It will combine information sessions on work opportunities for youth, meetings with relevant stakeholders in the job market field, specific moments dedicated to PBA and development of joint initiatives for youth.
Serious work will be combined with ice-breaking activities, warming-up games, fair of associations and intercultural activities.
Target groups
FUNNY addresses youth workers, whose daily job is to educate and support youngsters.
If you are working in the youth field, interested in exchange of experience and practices with representatives from 19 other associations from 16 other countries, feel ready to contribute to build effective transnational partnerships aiming at fighting youth unemployment - you are strongly invited to apply and get on board!
There is no age limit for FUNNY!
Location of the event
FUNNY will take place in Baku, capital of Azerbaijan, on 2-7 ofDecember, 2013. Azerbaijan is located in South Caucasus. It is one of the six Eastern Partnership countries. Baku is one of the most ancient and big cities in the region. It is currently enjoying economic upraise and quick growth, preserving cultural heritage andgetting new cultural, sport, office and other centres.
The event will be held in a calm place near Baku, allowing to concentrate on the work and to reach easily the capital, to meet with local stakeholders. Concerning accommodation, participants will be hosted in shared rooms respecting principle of multiculturalism, in order to favour friendly international relations.
In order to promote the highest level of sociability and entertainment, you will also enjoy common rooms where discussions, games and warming up activities could easily be organized. Further technical information about accommodation will be provided in later correspondence.
The exact location will be communicated to the selected participants in duly time.
Logistical information
As far as logistical information is concerned, participants are required to arrive in Baku on 2nd ofDecember in the morning and to leave on 7th ofDecember in the afternoon. Further technical information about it will be delivered as soon as we will receive details of participants’ traveling conditions. Organisers will be in charge of transfer from the city to the venue. Please note as well, that participants should bring necessary staff to present their association during the fair of associations and local food products from their region for the intercultural party.
Depending on your country, some of you may need a visa to go to Azerbaijan. Do not worry, we will provide you all necessary information and assist you in this process. Still, please, make sure that you have enough time to have all necessary documents (such as valid international passport with free pages etc).
Visa cost is reimbursed at 100%.
Financial conditions
All costs linked to the programme’s events are covered by the project budget.
As general rule of Youth in Action Programme, international travel expenses are reimbursed at 70% of the actual travel costs. Participants are therefore required to contribute with a co-fund of 30% of their sole international travel expenses.
Financial conditions of FUNNY project and travel costs eligible for a reimbursement of 70% are attached to present information package (see FUNNY Participants grid travel costs).
Such a measure, in accordance with the above-mentioned regulations, is aimed at short-listing applications only to those who are fully interested in the goals and objectives of the projects funded by the Programme.
All other expenses during the activity, such as board, lodging and transportation will be borne by organisers. However, all participants’ personal costs (like telephone calls, gifts and souvenirs, free exist, etc.) and/or any other cost not linked to programme’s events will be responsibility of the participants and will be settled directly by them on spot.
A draft agenda is attached to the present information package. Please, note that parts of this
programme may still change.
To apply for the project, please, fill in and send back to us the Application formthat you find attached accompanied with your motivation and updated CV by the October 1st, 2013.
We remain at your disposal for any questions. Do not hesitate to write to us:
We are looking forward to welcoming you all in Azerbaijan and getting this common project started!