Active Youth Association (AY) is a for-purpose organisation working with youth and communities in need in Lithuania and across borders. We have extensive experience in non-formal education, as well as a range of other topics. Most important among which: migration, entrepreneurship, healthy lifestyle, human rights.

AY has been actively involved in local and international (youth) projects since the very start of its existence. Up until now, the organization has successfully implemented (getting just the highest scores from the evaluators) more than 25 separate project actions on its own (and several times that as a partner). What is more, our NGO has built up a large partnership network all over Europe (more than 500 organisations). All of that can be used for the current project.

In whatever activity we carry out, we follow our 4 core principles: 1) dedication – meaning that we give our 100% and more; 2) openness – we work with – and for the public; 3) positivity – we see opportunities rather than problems; and 4) enthusiasm – we want to change our surroundings for the better. Surely, it’s easy to list these values on paper and a lot harder to follow them through in real.

That is why, we focus extensively in having the right team for every project (presently, our paid staff is 15). Committed people are professionals with relevant experience and a record of success (whether in youth work and/or the topic of the project). We also rely on a deep pool of volunteers (over 1000) and potential partners to ensure: 1) the project’s implementation goes smoothly; 2) the dissemination efforts reach the specified target groups.

The projects AY takes on, as a rule, focus on demanding and sensitive issues (e.g. refugee integration in Lithuania). Hence, we look forward to challenges offered by the current project.

Active Youth Association has lengthy experience in running Erasmus+ projects. Therefore, we know how to chip in at all the steps of the project, starting with the application itself and finishing with result dissemination.  We have carried out projects that have focused on digital tools, human rights, ecology, active citizenship and others.

Furthermore, we have carried out Erasmus+ Capacity Building projects as well. One of them is called “Social Entrepreneurship Heroes“ and it aims to grow future social entrepreneurs who could tackle various social problems within their local settings, as well as on a wider scale. Moreover, in order to promote environmentally friendly behavior, we organised “Save The Ocean Project“ that has a main aim to take a small step towards better habits & cleaner ocean. Also, our Erasmus+ Capacity Building project “Community: Seniors Involved – International“ seeks to create a special programme in which youth workers would include seniors in their work with youth (or youth would join the activities in the seniors’ centres). This experience will allow us to contribute to the objectives of the current proposal.

What is more, Active Youth Association cooperates with other European NGOs and international organizations in hosting and helping others host youth activities in a number of countries, promote cultural diversity and contribute to the positive social changes in the European continent.

Our aim is, by definition, to not just address the issue, but also inform the local communities about 1) the benefits of such projects; and 2) the seriousness of the issues being brought to light. For that reason, AY pays attention to every detail and carries out the full spectrum of activities. From early research to implementation to later stages of result dissemination. Such approach & competences are relevant for any project.

Key person involved in this application is the board member of AY – Gediminas Kondrackis. He has experience in all 1) finance-related; 2) organisational; and 3) legal matters. Mr. Gediminas has contributed to many international & local projects (more than 20). Mostly, by providing trainings on social entrepreneurship (e.g. in “More than Money: Social Entrepreneurship Heroes” and “Together: Refugees & Youth) & other topics. In his work, Mr. Gediminas focuses on NFE methods and is constantly updating his knowledge, which will be very important for the current project as well. He is also able to build online platforms & use professional software, such as Photoshop. This is an asset for any project team. Mr. Gediminas holds a BSc degree in Economics from University of Amsterdam. He is accompanied by other staff of the association, who all have international experience.

Active Youth Association (AY) is a for-purpose organisation working with youth and communities in need in Lithuania and across borders. We have extensive experience in non-formal education (incl. through sports), as well as a range of other topics. Most important among which: migration, entrepreneurship, healthy lifestyle, human rights.

AY cooperates with organisations of similar profile from all over Europe (more than 500 organisations) to organize events and trainings using non-formal education (including sport) as a powerful instrument to encourage youth to take an active part in society. We are integrating youngsters into the multinational environment and promoting healthy lifestyle.

In general, the key goals of the NGO corresponding to Sports projects are: helping the underprivileged in Lithuania and other EU countries to (1) be better integrated into the society and (2) get access all public (sports) facilities. At the same time, AY (3) helps young people to build new cooperation for sports initiatives, increase the needed skills for that and motivation for (sports) volunteering; (4) enhance self-esteem of the underprivileged (e.g. disabled); digital & multilingualism skills, social awareness, tolerance and other important values; (5) facilitate cooperation between different Lithuanian sport organisations, NGOs, youth workers, and sport trainers; (6) raise awareness about EU citizenship, work towards reducing youth unemployment; defend human rights and work on elimination of discrimination; (7) initiate social inclusion and provide opportunities for everyone willing to do sports; (8) raise awareness of the importance of health-enhancing physical activity through grassroots sports.

In whatever activity we carry out, we follow our 4 core principles: 1) dedication – meaning that we give our 100% and more; 2) openness – we work with – and for the public; 3) positivity – we see opportunities rather than problems; and 4) enthusiasm – we want to change our surroundings for the better. Surely, it’s easy to list these values on paper and a lot harder to follow them through in real.

That is why, we focus extensively in having the right team for every project. The people we will be working with (in the current project) are professionals with relevant experience and a record of success (whether in youth work and/or sports). We also rely on a deep pool of volunteers (over 1000) and potential partners to ensure: 1) the project’s implementation goes smoothly; 2) the dissemination efforts reach the specified target groups.

Active Youth Association has lengthy experience in running youth projects (Youth in Action, ESC, Erasmus+ and others). Up until now, the organization has successfully implemented (getting just the highest scores from the evaluators) more than 25 separate project actions on its own (and several times that as a partner).

Moreover, we have been recently taking an active organizational part in Erasmus+ Sport projects. For instance, in order to tackle the issue of migrants‘ inclusion, the 1-year project “Sports Together” (https://sportstogether.eu/) has been initiated by the Active Youth team. Main idea of the project was to create a sustainable programme for migrants‘ integration through sports and lower existing fears and phobias toward them. In addition, this project promoted cooperation between local youth and migrants.

Furthermore, we’re also coordinating Erasmus+ Big Collaborative Sports projects. One of them is called “Empowerment Through Sports”. With this project we aim to create contact between different social groups by using sports as a tool in order to foster social inclusion and make young people understand how minority discrimination works and how to counteract this.

In fact, we have been organizing many different sports events/seminars/open practices for children and youth within Lithuania as well. E.g. 3×3 basketball championships, 6×6 football championships, public sports management & marketing seminars for sports management students, sports managers and simple sports enthusiasts. Furthermore, one of our biggest sports projects is the kindergarten basketball championship of Lithuania, where more than 150 teams participate every year (since 2013). By this championship we promote grassroots sports, gender equality, social inclusion and increase awareness of healthy lifestyle since young days.

One of the main AY priorities is a healthy lifestyle and well-being of youth. For this reason, experience gained through our past projects will be used for the current project since Active Youth Association pays attention to every detail and carries out the full spectrum of activities.

Key person involved in this application is the board member of AY – Gediminas Kondrackis. He has experience in all 1) finance-related; 2) organisational; and 3) legal matters. Mr. Gediminas has contributed to many international & local projects (more than 20). Mostly, by providing trainings on social entrepreneurship (e.g. in “More than Money: Social Entrepreneurship Heroes” and “Together: Refugees & Youth) & other topics. In his work, Mr. Gediminas focuses on NFE methods and is constantly updating his knowledge, which will be very important for the current project as well. He is also able to build online platforms & use professional software, such as Photoshop. This is an asset for any project team. Mr. Gediminas holds a BSc degree in Economics from University of Amsterdam.

Co-founder of Active Youth Association is Paulius Jurgutis. He has more than 5 years experience in organising Erasmus+ KA1/KA2/KA3 projects. His Master’s in International Business taught him how to well-manage the team of more than 15 people that are working in Active Youth Association. He has been the main coordinator of Erasmus+ Sports project “Empowerment Through Sports”; thus, will benefit the project with his ideas and contacts got during the project.

Gediminas and Paulius are accompanied by other staff of the association, who all have international experience. They are young leaders, who developed during their studies & life in Spain, Sweden, Portugal, Italy, USA, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Lithuania and Latvia. This has not only given them strong educational basis but has also taught them how to communicate with people coming from different cultural and social backgrounds.

Furthermore, the key staff has a truly entrepreneurial spirit. Apart from AY, they have also founded their own business enterprise – “MB Wellness Travels”, where they create further employment opportunities for youth. With this business, they have appeared in a few publications aimed at inspiring the young (e.g. “BZN Start”, “Panele” journals), start-up events and award ceremonies, as well as youth employment forums to deepen their insights in the field. Additionally, the board members have started a Lithuania-based initiative aiming to help and integrate the incoming refugees from Syria & Africa (http://refugees.lt).

All in all, the previously mentioned activities have indeed given the key staff the needed experience to work in a multinational environment.

Active Youth Association (AY) is a for-purpose organisation working with youth and communities in need in Lithuania and across borders. We have extensive experience in working with non-formal education in topics such as digital tools, employment, human rights, active citizenship.

AY has been actively involved in local and international (youth) projects since the very start of its existence. Up until now, the organization has successfully implemented (getting just the highest scores from the evaluators) more than 25 separate project actions on its own (and several times that as a partner). What is more, our NGO has built up a large partnership network all over Europe (more than 500 organisations). All of that can be used for the current project.

In whatever activity we carry out, we follow our 4 core principles: 1) dedication – meaning that we give our 100% and more; 2) openness – we work with – and for the public; 3) positivity – we see opportunities rather than problems; and 4) enthusiasm – we want to change our surroundings for the better. Surely, it’s easy to list these values on paper and a lot harder to follow them through in real.

That is why, we focus extensively in having the right team for every project. We rely on a deep pool of volunteers (over 1000), social media followers and potential partners to ensure: 1) the project’s implementation goes smoothly; 2) the dissemination efforts reach the specified target groups.

The projects AY takes on, as a rule, focus on demanding and sensitive issues (e.g. lack of active citizenship). Hence, we look forward to challenges offered by the current project.

Active Youth Association has lengthy experience in running Erasmus+ projects. Therefore, we know how to chip in at all the steps of the project, starting with the application itself and finishing with result dissemination.  We have carried out projects that have focused on digital tools, research methods, democracy, active citizenship and others.

In the past, we organised a project about civil society (http://tavobalsas.lt/) that took 2 years. Aim of it was to encourage partnerships between public administrations and the local community by creating an inclusive society that uses creativity, motivation and their competencies. Moreover, this project provided youth with general knowledge of public governance processes and possible involvement in political processes. We promoted democracy and active citizenship by organising meetings with youth from Lithuanian cities. Furthermore, our project “Democracy through Dialogue not Conflict” included an international meeting of politicians and youth in the Foreign Affairs’ Ministry of Lithuania. During the meeting, the ways for Eastern Partnership youth to get involved were analysed and best ideas shortlisted. Also, project “Time to Act!” was a part of the European Youth week of 2015 and had its goals aligned with the ones of the Week. It promoted youth participation in political and civic processes. This experience will allow us to contribute to the objectives of the current project and join the promotion of active citizenship.

What is more, Active Youth Association cooperates with other European NGOs and international organizations in hosting and helping others host youth activities in a number of countries, promote cultural diversity and contribute to the positive social changes in the European continent.

Apart from organizing youth exchanges and trainings, our association is also involved in educational activities for little kids, cultural events, blood donations, clothes donations to needy children, sport competitions, quizzes, discussions on themes which are interesting for youth, and other projects aimed to help youngsters, support and facilitate their creative initiatives.

Moreover, during the global health crisis that was caused by Covid-19, AY created a platform (Coronahelpers.lt) which streamlined the search and registration of volunteers who are able to help in the fight with this virus.

Our aim is, by definition, to not just address the issue, but also inform the local communities about 1) the benefits of such projects; and 2) the seriousness of the issues being brought to light. For that reason, AY pays attention to every detail and carries out the full spectrum of activities. From early research to implementation to later stages of result dissemination. Such approach & competences are relevant for any project.

Key person involved in this application is the board member of AY – Gediminas Kondrackis. He is accompanied by other staff of the association, who all have international experience.

Our staff are young leaders, who developed during their studies & life in Spain, Sweden, Portugal, Italy, USA, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Lithuania and Latvia. This has not only given them strong educational basis but has also taught them how to communicate with people coming from different cultural and social backgrounds.

The key staff involved have been part of all the previous activities of the association (see above). Therefore, they have the necessary knowledge to chip in to the current project as well.

Through their other endeavours, they have led seminars for youth to develop their entrepreneurial skills (Lithuania), educated children about studies abroad (Lithuania, the Netherlands), worked as animators in youth clubs (Denmark), organized international student competitions and study fairs, social inclusion programs of foreign students to the local community, youth university exchanges (Latvia), and several sport events encouraging healthy lifestyle (Lithuania). In addition, they have participated in previous ‘Youth in Action’ & Erasmus+ projects themselves (e.g. “Creative Approaches for Youth” in Ukraine, “Be Part of It” in Romania, “Eco Startup” in Spain), courses about NFE methods, environmental initiatives, and activities supporting Ukraine during the “Euromaidan” events. All of this has given them a range of skills and competencies usable for a project as this one.

Furthermore, the key staff has a truly entrepreneurial spirit. Apart from AY, they have also founded their own business enterprise – “MB Wellness Travels”, where they create further employment opportunities for youth. With this business, they have appeared in a few publications aimed at inspiring the young (e.g. “BZN Start”, “Panele” journals), start-up events and award ceremonies, as well as youth employment forums to deepen their insights in the field. Additionally, the board members have started a Lithuania-based initiative aiming to help and integrate the incoming refugees from Syria & Africa (http://refugees.lt).

All in all, the previously mentioned activities have indeed given the key staff the needed experience to work in a multinational environment.

Active Youth Association (AY) is a for-purpose organisation working with youth and communities in need in Lithuania and across borders. We have extensive experience in non-formal education while promoting civic awareness and environmentally friendly behavior.

AY has been actively involved in local and international (youth) projects since the very start of its existence. Up until now, the organization has successfully implemented (getting just the highest scores from the evaluators) more than 25 separate project actions on its own (and several times that as a partner). What is more, our NGO has built up a large partnership network all over Europe (more than 500 organisations). All of that can be used for the current project.

In whatever activity we carry out, we follow our 4 core principles: 1) dedication – meaning that we give our 100% and more; 2) openness – we work with – and for the public; 3) positivity – we see opportunities rather than problems; and 4) enthusiasm – we want to change our surroundings for the better. Surely, it’s easy to list these values on paper and a lot harder to follow them through in real.

That is why, we focus extensively in having the right team for every project. The people we will be working with (in the current project) are professionals with relevant experience and a record of success (whether in youth work and/or the topic of the project). We also rely on a deep pool of volunteers (over 1000) and potential partners to ensure: 1) the project’s implementation goes smoothly; 2) the dissemination efforts reach the specified target groups.

The projects AY takes on, as a rule, focus on demanding and sensitive issues (e.g. environmental problems). Hence, we look forward to challenges offered by the current project.

Active Youth Association has lengthy experience in running Erasmus+ projects. Therefore, we know how to chip in at all the steps of the project, starting with the application itself and finishing with result dissemination. We have carried out projects that have focused on ecology, active citizenship, tolerance and other.

Sustainable development is one of our aspirations and non-formal education is a key to promote it. AY is encouraging young people to take action and lead eco lifestyle by organizing and participating in Erasmus+ projects that have a goal to save the environment. “Eco-Friendly Europe” project is one of these examples. It united 36 young adults to tackle/address environmental problems that are acute in the participating countries. Participants were discussing and searching solutions for making our lives more sustainable and friendlier to the environment. Furthermore, our Erasmus+ Capacity Building project “Save The Ocean” has a goal to take a small step towards better habits & cleaner ocean. It raises awareness about existing issues and involves youth into the creation of a sustainable world. This experience will allow us to contribute to the objectives of the current project and help to promote environmentally friendly behavior.

What is more, Active Youth Association cooperates with other European NGOs and international organizations in hosting and helping others host youth activities in a number of countries, promote cultural diversity and contribute to the positive social changes in the European continent.

Our aim is, by definition, to not just address the issue, but also inform the local communities about 1) the benefits of such projects; and 2) the seriousness of the issues being brought to light. For that reason, AY pays attention to every detail and carries out the full spectrum of activities. From early research to implementation to later stages of result dissemination. Such approach & competences are relevant for any project.

Key person involved in this application is the board member of AY – Gediminas Kondrackis. He is accompanied by other staff of the association, who all have international experience.

Our staff are young leaders, who developed during their studies & life in Spain, Sweden, Portugal, Italy, USA, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Lithuania and Latvia. This has not only given them strong educational basis but has also taught them how to communicate with people coming from different cultural and social backgrounds.

The key staff involved have been part of all the previous activities of the association (see above). Therefore, they have the necessary knowledge to chip in to the current project as well.

Through their other endeavours, they have led seminars for youth to develop their entrepreneurial skills (Lithuania), educated children about studies abroad (Lithuania, the Netherlands), worked as animators in youth clubs (Denmark), organized international student competitions and study fairs, social inclusion programs of foreign students to the local community, youth university exchanges (Latvia), and several sport events encouraging healthy lifestyle (Lithuania). In addition, they have participated in previous ‘Youth in Action’ & Erasmus+ projects themselves (e.g. “Creative Approaches for Youth” in Ukraine, “Be Part of It” in Romania, “Eco Startup” in Spain), courses about NFE methods, environmental initiatives, and activities supporting Ukraine during the “Euromaidan” events. All of this has given them a range of skills and competencies usable for a project as this one.

Furthermore, the key staff has a truly entrepreneurial spirit. Apart from AY, they have also founded their own business enterprise – “MB Wellness Travels”, where they create further employment opportunities for youth. With this business, they have appeared in a few publications aimed at inspiring the young (e.g. “BZN Start”, “Panele” journals), start-up events and award ceremonies, as well as youth employment forums to deepen their insights in the field. Additionally, the board members have started a Lithuania-based initiative aiming to help and integrate the incoming refugees from Syria & Africa (http://refugees.lt).

All in all, the previously mentioned activities have indeed given the key staff the needed experience to work in a multinational environment.

Active Youth Association (AY) is a for-purpose organisation working with youth and communities in need in Lithuania and across borders. We have extensive experience in non-formal education, as well as a range of other topics. Most important among which: migration, entrepreneurship, healthy lifestyle, human rights.

AY has been actively involved in local and international (youth) projects since the very start of its existence. Up until now, the organization has successfully implemented (getting just the highest scores from the evaluators) more than 25 separate project actions on its own (and several times that as a partner). What is more, our NGO has built up a large partnership network all over Europe (more than 500 organisations). All of that can be used for the current project.

In whatever activity we carry out, we follow our 4 core principles: 1) dedication – meaning that we give our 100% and more; 2) openness – we work with – and for the public; 3) positivity – we see opportunities rather than problems; and 4) enthusiasm – we want to change our surroundings for the better. Surely, it’s easy to list these values on paper and a lot harder to follow them through in real.

That is why, we focus extensively in having the right team for every project. The people we will be working with (in the current project) are professionals with relevant experience and a record of success (whether in youth work and/or the topic of the project). We also rely on a deep pool of volunteers (over 1000) and potential partners to ensure: 1) the project’s implementation goes smoothly; 2) the dissemination efforts reach the specified target groups.

The projects AY takes on, as a rule, focus on demanding and sensitive issues (e.g. discrimination). Hence, we look forward to challenges offered by the current project.

Active Youth Association has lengthy experience in running Erasmus+ projects. Therefore, we know how to chip in at all the steps of the project, starting with the application itself and finishing with result dissemination.  We have carried out projects that have focused on human rights, hate speech, tolerance, and other.

AY Is fighting with the issue of discrimination and defending human rights through non formal education activities. For instance, “Let’s Turn Discrimination into Tolerance!” youth exchange project was organized in order to spread tolerance for various minorities (sexual, gender, religious, ethnic, etc.) among European youth. Another our project called “Make Love Speech” gathered 30 youth workers to discuss about  existing problems of hate speech, racism, and discrimination. It even turned into the movement in Lithuania. Furthermore, the Active Youth Association is promoting human rights since it is the way to ensure psychological & emotional safety of youngsters. Our organised project “A Beautiful Mind“ contributed to the promotion of human rights by increasing the knowledge about mental health between the youngsters and the public overall. Participants were learning how to find ways of communicating with people having a mental disorder and ways to support them. This experience will allow us to contribute to the objectives of the current project and join the promotion of human rights.

What is more, Active Youth Association cooperates with other European NGOs and international organizations in hosting and helping others host youth activities in a number of countries, promote cultural diversity and contribute to the positive social changes in the European continent.

Our aim is, by definition, to not just address the issue, but also inform the local communities about 1) the benefits of such projects; and 2) the seriousness of the issues being brought to light. For that reason, AY pays attention to every detail and carries out the full spectrum of activities. From early research to implementation to later stages of result dissemination. Such approach & competences are relevant for any project.

Key person involved in this application is the board member of AY – Gediminas Kondrackis. He is accompanied by other staff of the association, who all have international experience.

Our staff are young leaders, who developed during their studies & life in Spain, Sweden, Portugal, Italy, USA, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Lithuania and Latvia. This has not only given them strong educational basis but has also taught them how to communicate with people coming from different cultural and social backgrounds.

The key staff involved have been part of all the previous activities of the association (see above). Therefore, they have the necessary knowledge to chip in to the current project as well.

Through their other endeavours, they have led seminars for youth to develop their entrepreneurial skills (Lithuania), educated children about studies abroad (Lithuania, the Netherlands), worked as animators in youth clubs (Denmark), organized international student competitions and study fairs, social inclusion programs of foreign students to the local community, youth university exchanges (Latvia), and several sport events encouraging healthy lifestyle (Lithuania). In addition, they have participated in previous ‘Youth in Action’ & Erasmus+ projects themselves (e.g. “Creative Approaches for Youth” in Ukraine, “Be Part of It” in Romania, “Eco Startup” in Spain), courses about NFE methods, environmental initiatives, and activities supporting Ukraine during the “Euromaidan” events. All of this has given them a range of skills and competencies usable for a project as this one.

Furthermore, the key staff has a truly entrepreneurial spirit. Apart from AY, they have also founded their own business enterprise – “MB Wellness Travels”, where they create further employment opportunities for youth. With this business, they have appeared in a few publications aimed at inspiring the young (e.g. “BZN Start”, “Panele” journals), start-up events and award ceremonies, as well as youth employment forums to deepen their insights in the field. Additionally, the board members have started a Lithuania-based initiative aiming to help and integrate the incoming refugees from Syria & Africa (http://refugees.lt).

All in all, the previously mentioned activities have indeed given the key staff the needed experience to work in a multinational environment.

Active Youth Association (AY) is a for-purpose organisation working with youth and communities in need in Lithuania and across borders. We have extensive experience in non-formal education, as well as a range of other topics. Most important among which: migration, entrepreneurship, healthy lifestyle, human rights.

AY has been actively involved in local and international (youth) projects since the very start of its existence. Up until now, the organization has successfully implemented (getting just the highest scores from the evaluators) more than 25 separate project actions on its own (and several times that as a partner). What is more, our NGO has built up a large partnership network all over Europe (more than 500 organisations). All of that can be used for the current project.

In whatever activity we carry out, we follow our 4 core principles: 1) dedication – meaning that we give our 100% and more; 2) openness – we work with – and for the public; 3) positivity – we see opportunities rather than problems; and 4) enthusiasm – we want to change our surroundings for the better. Surely, it’s easy to list these values on paper and a lot harder to follow them through in real.

That is why, we focus extensively in having the right team for every project. The people we will be working with (in the current project) are professionals with relevant experience and a record of success (whether in youth work and/or the topic of the project). We also rely on a deep pool of volunteers (over 1000) and potential partners to ensure: 1) the project’s implementation goes smoothly; 2) the dissemination efforts reach the specified target groups.

The projects AY takes on, as a rule, focus on demanding and sensitive issues (e.g. discrimination). Hence, we look forward to challenges offered by the current project.

Active Youth Association has lengthy experience in running Erasmus+ projects. Therefore, we know how to chip in at all the steps of the project, starting with the application itself and finishing with result dissemination.  We have carried out projects that have focused on research tools, entrepreneurship, active citizenship, and other.

In the past, we have organised a project called “Social Entrepreneurship Heroes“. It aimed to grow future social entrepreneurs who could tackle various social problems within their local settings, as well as on a wider scale. Project equipped youth workers & young leaders with knowledge, key competences & tools required for teaching social entrepreneurship. Furthermore, our project “Take Initiative to Rock Your Careers” sought to encourage youth to be more active in society while taking part in volunteering programs, youth organizations, social actions, initiatives, entrepreneurship activities, etc. It consisted of two actions: youth workers mobility and youth exchange. Impact: the project has not only helped the participants enhance their skills and get involved in various youth actions but also increased general awareness of youth proactiveness concept. This experience will allow us to contribute to the objectives of the current project and join the promotion of entrepreneurship.

What is more, Active Youth Association cooperates with other European NGOs and international organizations in hosting and helping others host youth activities in a number of countries, promote cultural diversity and contribute to the positive social changes in the European continent.

Our aim is, by definition, to not just address the issue, but also inform the local communities about 1) the benefits of such projects; and 2) the seriousness of the issues being brought to light. For that reason, AY pays attention to every detail and carries out the full spectrum of activities. From early research to implementation to later stages of result dissemination. Such approach & competences are relevant for any project.

Key person involved in this application is the board member of AY – Gediminas Kondrackis. He is accompanied by other staff of the association, who all have international experience.

Our staff are young leaders, who developed during their studies & life in Spain, Sweden, Portugal, Italy, USA, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Lithuania and Latvia. This has not only given them strong educational basis but has also taught them how to communicate with people coming from different cultural and social backgrounds.

The key staff involved have been part of all the previous activities of the association (see above). Therefore, they have the necessary knowledge to chip in to the current project as well.

Through their other endeavours, they have led seminars for youth to develop their entrepreneurial skills (Lithuania), educated children about studies abroad (Lithuania, the Netherlands), worked as animators in youth clubs (Denmark), organized international student competitions and study fairs, social inclusion programs of foreign students to the local community, youth university exchanges (Latvia), and several sport events encouraging healthy lifestyle (Lithuania). In addition, they have participated in previous ‘Youth in Action’ & Erasmus+ projects themselves (e.g. “Creative Approaches for Youth” in Ukraine, “Be Part of It” in Romania, “Eco Startup” in Spain), courses about NFE methods, environmental initiatives, and activities supporting Ukraine during the “Euromaidan” events. All of this has given them a range of skills and competencies usable for a project as this one.

Furthermore, the key staff has a truly entrepreneurial spirit. Apart from AY, they have also founded their own business enterprise – “MB Wellness Travels”, where they create further employment opportunities for youth. With this business, they have appeared in a few publications aimed at inspiring the young (e.g. “BZN Start”, “Panele” journals), start-up events and award ceremonies, as well as youth employment forums to deepen their insights in the field. Additionally, the board members have started a Lithuania-based initiative aiming to help and integrate the incoming refugees from Syria & Africa (http://refugees.lt).