Youth information is one of EYCA’s key missions. We believe that youth information is an effective support measure for improving equal opportunities for young people and to promote their active citizenship and social inclusion.
The European Youth Card Association (EYCA) cooperates closely in the field of youth policy with the European Youth Information and Counselling Agency (ERYICA) and Eurodesk as well as other organisations and institutions. The Three Networks consist of individual organisations including national members throughout all of Europe. Their close collaboration in the field of youth information offers a multitude of enhancements in regards to communication with and among young people. This shared good practice of e-information and e-participation results in a significantly increased youth participation in our societies.
EYCA’s current and past projects
TRAFO - a portal for ideas that inspire
Europe for a Change I and II
The first Europe for a Change campaign was broadcast throughout Europe during 2003 and 2004, reaching over 20 million people. Where Europe for a Change I explored young people’s hopes and dreams for an enlarged EU, Europe for a Change II revealed the true opinion of young Europeans on their experiences following EU enlargement, and what they consider priority values for the future of the EU.
EYCAdemy
Through EYCAdemy, we established a Europe-wide panel of youth researchers working with the focus group method. 17 countries from across Europe were involved in the project. The EYCAdemy research subjects were aligned with the European ‘theme’ of the year (e.g. 2008, Year of Intercultural Dialogue). In this way, EYCAdemy had a clear purpose at European level without losing value at national level as a research tool for gaining information on young people’s opinions.
Youth Builds Europe (YBE)
The forerunner of EYCAdemy, was a project that answered two questions: How can young people contribute their ideas and opinions to policy - that is, how can they participate - and how can policy makers find out what is really important for young people. The Youth Builds Europe pilot project used qualitative research to explore the values of young Europeans as well as their attitudes toward the EURO<26 youth card.
EURplace26
EURplace26 - an online photo competition - aimed to promote diversity and tolerance across Europe, while encouraging young people’s participation by way of voting and also entering the competition. It was widely promoted across EURO<26 and other media.