YOUTHopia

Join YOUTHopia at the #EURegionsWeek 2023
2023-09-27 18:00 - 2023-10-09 21:00 UTC
From the 9 to the 12 of October the is co-hosting three workshops giving visibility and discussing different and relevant issues and topics, with a focus on the benefits of Cohesion Policy and the opportunity it presents for regions and youth.

YOUTHopia [Online] Workshop w/ Youth Regional Network: Unboxing the EU Cohesion Policy!!!!
2023-07-01 - 2023-08-31
Are you a student or a young activist interested in politics, EU projects, communication and funding opportunities? Do you want to learn more about the EU Cohesion Policy and how it can benefit your region?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this workshop is for you! Join us for a series of three online sessions between July and August, aimed at improving young people’s knowledge of EU Cohesion Policy, capacity to make use of opportunities for them under cohesion policy, and communication skills to communicate about Cohesion Policy to their peers.
The workshop will dive into key topics that together will equip you with a great overview of Cohesion Policy instruments, and how we can talk Cohesion-friendly to our peers:
Session #1: The legislative process behind the EU main investment tool & avenues of participation in policy-making for youth. 27th July, 15:00 – 17:00 (CET, Brussels time)
Session #2: How Does It Work in Practice? An Overview of Funding & Opportunities for Youth. 3rd August, 15:00 – 17:00 (CET, Brussels time)
Session #3: Story-telling or the Art of Making European Cohesion Cool. 10th August, 15:00 – 17:00, Brussels time

The workshop is free of charge, and you will receive a certificate of attendance at the end of the three sessions.
Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to expand your knowledge, skills, and network!

REGISTER HERE

Can’t wait until the workshop? Check out our HotlineCohesion articles and answer our quiz in preparation!
Feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions or need further information. Contact e.hayes@aer.eu or a.comacchio@aer.eu.
Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity!

[Onsite] Workshop in Barcelona - Cohesion Policy: Evidence-based Lessons to Support Youth Entrepreneurship and Skills Development in Regions.
2023-06-29 15:00 - 17:00 | World Trade Centre, 1ª planta Edif. Este, Moll de Barcelona, s/n, 08039 Barcelona, Spain, Barcelona, Spain
Cohesion policy is currently the EU’s main investment policy supporting the priorities of the EU, notably the European Green Deal, the digital agenda and the European Pillar of Social Rights.
In order for this instrument of territorial cohesion to maintain its long-term focus and being supported at the national level, Cohesion Policy should be more visible to EU citizens. This is possible by highlighting its benefits thanks to evidence-based lessons and stories of projects successfully funded and implemented. The workshop digs into some examples from the regions that participate in the AER-led communication campaign YOUTHopia, with a particular focus on youth employment and empowerment, and sets the basis with new interested regions for a YOUTHopia 2.0 in 2024.

This event is open until reaching full capacity – please register via this link and select only the YOUTHopia workshop and evening reception on 29.06.

Get to Travel Across Europe with the #YOUTHopiaContest! (Deadline: 30 July)
2023-06-09 08:00 - 17:00
Local, but European. Practical, but inspiring. #HotlineCohesion brings you the most interesting youth opportunities linked to EU Cohesion Policy.

Take a Picture of the EU around You!
EU Cohesion Policy is all around you. With more than 1.5 million active projects in local and regional communities, Cohesion Policy is there to be seen, experienced and “Instagrammed” ;).
This is why the AER is launching a YOUTHopia contest about the concrete results of projects funded by Cohesion Policy, with no limit on geographical location. By sharing a creative picture of a EU project, participants can win two Interrail Global tickets to travel all across Europe during Summer 2023.
Ready to point-and-shoot?
To participate in the YOUTHopia contest, participants will need to be:

aged between 18-27
residing in the EU

To submit the picture, participants should follow this process:

Post a creative picture of a Cohesion Policy Funded Project in their region, with yourself and the sign “Funded by the European Union)” or “Funded by European Regional Development Fund” (and all other cohesion policy funds).
Post on your preferred Social Media and use the hasthag #YOUTHopiaContest, along with a caption explaining the positive impact of the project.
Send an email to YOUTHopia@aer.eu with a link or a screenshot to the published post. Please note that the post should be permanent, Instagram/Facebook “stories” will not be considered.

What about the award?
At the end of the contest period, 3 contestants will be randomly selected and they will receive 2 Interrail Global Pass (Youth), valid for 7 travel days during one month, in more than one European country. Awarded contestants will need to buy their tickets within two months after the date of draw (1 August 2023).
When?
The contest is open from 9 June 2023 to 30 July 2023. Start shooting now!

READ THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS

#HotlineCohesion series ends here. But no worries!
Check out our YOUTHopia website for more opportunities and engaging content!

The Youthopia Project is co-funded by the Directorate General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO) of the European Commission.

[Call for facilitators] Online Workshop Series: Unboxing the European Cohesion Policy
2023-05-23 - 2023-06-10
Are you a youth facilitator/trainer with experience in either EU legislation processes, Europe’s story-telling or youth advocacy and political participation?
The Assembly of European Regions and the project YOUTHopia are looking for three motivated youth facilitators to plan and conduct three online sessions to inform and engage young people about EU Cohesion Policy, from its legislation, passing through the different programmes and opportunities that are being funded in Europe, to its communication.
These are the indicative dates for the sessions (dates can be changed):
Session #1: 27th July
Session #2: 3rd August
Session #3: 10th August (15:00 – 17:00 CEST)
Does this sound interesting to you? Read our terms of reference and apply by contacting e.hayes@aer.eu and a.comacchio@aer.eu.
Click here to download the Terms of Reference

YOUTHopia Future Fair Event in West Slovenia!
2023-05-19
INVITATION TO THE “ENTERPRISING INTO THE FUTURE” FAIR
The Development Council of the West Slovenia Cohesion Region, together with partners within the YOUTHopia project, is organizing a fair titled “Enterprising into the Future,” which will take place on May 19th, 2023, at the Kovačnica in Kranj, starting at 9:30 am. The main participants at the event will be the participants of the “Enterprising Challenges” program and entrepreneurial incubators. In the morning, the results of the program and their success stories will be presented, and in the afternoon, the program participants will showcase their products or services at booths.
If you would like to learn more about how the “Enterprising Challenges” program went, how the participants fared, and what the entrepreneurial incubators are doing, you are invited to come to Kranj!
Applications, program, and partners: Regional Development Agency of the Ljubljana Urban Region, BSC Kranj Regional Development Agency, Regional Development Center Koper, and Posočje Regional Development Center.
What is the “Enterprising Challenges” program?
The primary goal of the project is to establish new companies through entrepreneurial training for individuals with entrepreneurial ideas. In the first phase, substantive support is necessary to encourage entrepreneurial activity and successful development of business ideas, which is available to participants through internal and external mentors, external experts, and entrepreneurs. The project includes providing substantive supportive activities, ensuring employment and supportive entrepreneurial environments for groups of participants over a period of four months, in which they can successfully develop and realize their own business ideas. The training program takes participants from the development of business ideas to the creation of a business model and plan and comprehensively acquaints them with all important areas of entrepreneurship. Additionally, the project enables the use of physical infrastructure through co-working principles.
The expected result of the project in the West Slovenia Cohesion Region is the inclusion of 220 potential entrepreneurs who will create 220 business plans and present 220 minimally acceptable products on the market. The goal is to achieve a minimum of 30% successful entrepreneurial outcomes.
Program implementers: Regional Development Agencies throughout Slovenia.
Central Slovenia Region: 78 participants Gorenjska Region: 80 participants Coastal-Karst Region: 62 participants The “Enterprising Challenges” program and Kovačnica Entrepreneurial Incubator are co-financed by European funds (the European Regional Development Fund).

READ MORE

YOUTHopia Future Fair in Donegal, Ireland
2023-04-27
Over 150 young people from across Donegal and the north-west attended the Youthopia
Future Fair in Oakfield Park in Raphoe on Thursday last (27th April).
The impact of Cohesion Policy on young people in Europe was the focus of the YOUTHopia
Future Fair 2023. Cathaoirleach Liam Blaney welcomed Micheal O’Heanaigh, the Assembly of
European Regions Vice President for Youth, Culture & Tourism to the event who touched on
Cohesion Policy impacts.
YOUTHopia Future Fair highlighted the unique opportunities and challenges that young
people face, topics which all the keynote speakers touched upon. The speakers included one
of Europe’s youngest serial entrepreneurs, Jordan Casey who spoke about youth
entrepreneurship and his journey growing his own tech business.
Carmel Irandoust, the founder of NETOVE spoke about being an advocate for Diversity,
Equality, Inclusion, Justice and Peace. Local youth entrepreneur from Letterkenny, Sab
Medlar from SourcedBySab also talked about her journey in setting up her own business in
Donegal. Youth Climate Ambassador Taidhg Trocme provided an insightful and thought-
provoking talk on climate change.
This one day event had an action packed agenda allowing the participants to take part in
interactive workshops focused on topics including career pathways, skills for the future,
innovative project design and creating a professional LinkedIn profile and CV. Donegal Youth
Council MC Erin Gallagher and friends were on hand to keep the event running smoothly.
YOUTHopia was held in partnership with the North West Tertiary Education Cluster
comprised of the ATU, Donegal ETB, the North West Regional College and Ulster University.
JoAnne Kilmartin from the NWTEC said “with 2023 being the EU Year of Skills, the North
West Tertiary Education cluster was delighted to co-host the YOUTHopia event providing an
opportunity for young people in the region to learn first-hand about the future of work and
skills and the pathways available from all four educational providers in the North West City
Region”.
The young people in attendance also got to experience fun activities provided by Donegal
Sports Partnerships “Lets Play Donegal!” initiative and enjoyed an amazing freestyle football
demonstration and tutorial by 4-time and current Irish Freestyle Football Champion, Conor
Reynolds!
YOUTHopia is an EU funded project, which is led by the Assembly of European Regions.
Donegal County Council is a member of the Assembly of European Regions and a partner in
the YOUTHopia project along with partners from the Union of Cyprus Municipalities, Eastern
and Western Slovenia, Košice and Slovakia.
