Intro
Brief info on the stakeholders:
The National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI)
NYCI is the representative body for voluntary youth organisations in Ireland.
We use our collective experience to act on issues that impact on young people.
NYCI supports young people’s involvement in international activities, youth work and youth policy. We aim to facilitate and promote the involvement of youth organisations and young people in international activities and to encourage youth organisations to include an international dimension to their youth work, through creating opportunities for sharing of best practice in youth work and facilitating international collaboration. We advocate and lobby on International and European youth policy to ensure young people have an opportunity to add their voice to decisions that affect young people, their youth organisations and their future.
The European Youth Forum (YFJ)
The vision of the European Youth Forum is to be the voice of young people in Europe, where young people are equal citizens and are encouraged and supported to achieve their fullest potential as global citizens. The European Youth Forum is the platform of youth organisations in Europe. It represents over 100 youth organisations, which bring together tens of millions of young people from all over Europe.
The Youth Forum works to empower young people to participate actively in society to improve their own lives by representing and advocating their needs and interests and those of their organisations. In the current uncertain political and social context that affects young people, they can be powerful catalysts for positive change and contributors of innovative solutions to Europe’s challenges.
To overcome the challenges faced by young people, the European Youth Forum’s work is centred around three main pillars as outlined in their Strategic Plan:
“Youth-friendly world
Enabling environment for youth organisations
Thriving platform
“Words are not enough: we will walk the talk”. Our platform needs to be further cultivated to keep it relevant, strong and innovative. We want to remain and further strengthen being a credible actor as the main voice of young people in Europe.
With these goals in mind, the Youth Forum will continue our advocacy work to become an agenda-setter on youth affairs, empower Member Organisations to maximise the impact of their expertise and enforce a rights-based approach in all that we do.” (European Youth Forum Strategic Plan 2020-2023)
Benelux Islands Central Cooperation (BICC)
BICC stands for BICC stands for ‘Benelux Islands Central Cooperation’ and is a regional grouping among several National Youth Councils within the European Youth Forum.
The BICC is an informal group of National Youth Councils who are members of the European Youth Forum. The members of the BICC share good practice and aim to find common solutions to common issues faced by National Youth Councils. It also provides members with an opportunity to discuss ideas in a supportive environment that can be brought to the European Youth Forum meetings.
Selection Criteria for the NYCI representative to the European Youth Forum :
- 18-35 years old.
- Interest in issues that affect youth and an interest/experience in European Youth Policy is an advantage.
- Youth Worker/leader /young person
- Member of an NYCI member organisation is desirable.
- Available to travel and attend meetings during the week and at weekends.
- Available to fulfil the mandate for three years to 2025.
- Previous involvement in IAC or other NYCI structures preferable.
- Experience of representing an organisation at an international level preferable.
- Up to date passport enabling travel abroad.
- Available to attend the EYF, BICC and IAC meetings.
For example for the upcoming meetings in 2023 – Available on the following dates set for the BICC meeting in Poland 31st March – 2nd April and for the European Youth Forum COMEM 20-21st April in Brussels. Please note the representatives may have to travel on the days either side of the meeting dates. (attending these meetings in person is subject to funding).
- Accommodation and travel are covered however the reps often need to share accommodation, the same room, at events.
- Able to assist with social media and making sure young people hear about your work.
- Commitment to youth participation and the values of the National Youth Council of Ireland
- Able to obtain a passport and travel internationally.
What is the NYCI rep to the YFJ expected to do?
The new NYCI representative to the European Youth Forum will work in a team of 2 representatives and will be responsible for:
- Attend 2 European Youth Forum (YFJ) Meeting and 2 BICC meetings annually, funding permitting. These meetings take place throughout Europe and neighbouring countries. They take place in usually in April and Nov. The BICC meeting is usually 2 to 3 weekends prior to the YFJ meeting.
- Attend 4 International Advisory Committee (IAC) meetings annually – mix of online and in person at a national level during weekday evenings.
- Feedback to the IAC.
- Accommodation and travel cost are covered, funding permitting. Accommodation is usually sharing with other participants in a room for YFJ and BICC meetings.
- The workload will vary and weekend and evening work will be necessary.
- This representative will join the current representative to the European Youth Forum and take over the voting rights in 18 months.
- Be involved in research and consultation with young people to gather their views through the EU Youth Dialogue process in Ireland, the IAC and other consultation opportunities.
- Inform and influence European policy making through attending the European Youth Forum Council of Members Meetings (COMEM) as well as representing the National Youth Council of Ireland at BICC meetings which are meetings of a small group of national youth councils within the European Youth Forum.
- Raise awareness of European campaigns, policies and actions through reports, blogs, podcasts, websites and social networks.
- Represent NYCI at European events and to decision makers.
Future Opportunities
You may not be able to apply for this call but there will be calls for a new NYCI representative to the European Youth Forum every 18months. If you are interested in getting more involved in NYCI international in the meantime, check out International – National Youth Council of Ireland , get involved in Young Voices – EU Youth Dialogue by coming along to an event or ask your youth organisation about opportunities to be nominated to the International Advisory Committee
How to apply:
Please fill out the application form below before the deadline 20th Feb 2023.
Application Procedure
- Incomplete applications will not be eligible for selection
- There will be a selection process, successful applicants will be informed early March.
If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact Jean-Marie international@nyci.ie