JEF Europe is organizing a series of training activities, as part of JEF’s 2024 Work Plan, supported by the European Youth Foundation of the Council of Europe. This training will be carried out in the framework of the Let’s Speak Diversity! project, which aims at developing the competences of both youth workers and youth-led organizations, focusing on how to approach, include and work with people coming from ethnic and linguistic minorities backgrounds, including Roma youth in activism, advocacy and European decision-making

You can find more information about the project, the details of the event and the application form link below.

About Let’s Speak Diversity!

Let’s Speak Diversity! is a project that seeks to open spaces for dialogue with youth coming from ethnic and linguistic minorities in order to understand their realities and foster critical thinking about values and customs that are ingrained in Europe. The vision of this Work Plan is to: 

• further increase the knowledge of young activists on linguistic and ethnic minority communities across Europe; 
• understand their challenges and stories;
• encourage partners from the youth sector to listen, learn and build their work in a more inclusive way so that linguistic and ethnic minorities can be more active in their networks and other European democratic processes.

This project addresses multiple Council of Europe’s Youth Sector Priorities at the same time, while focusing primarily on combating all forms of discrimination, racism and exclusion, including structural forms, with a specific focus on Roma youth participation and inclusion; the inclusion of youth from ethnic and linguistic minority groups, in particular refugee youth; and intercultural dialogue.

Through this work plan, JEF Europe wants to particularly focus on building concrete ways to create safe spaces for minority youth, while still exploring intersections with refugee and migrant communities, racialised groups and people oppressed through gender-based discrimination, fostering a path from allyship to coalitions between different communities.

About the International Training on Minority Inclusion within Youth-lead Organisations

The event’s primary objective is to enhance the capacity of youth organizations by providing them with essential skills to foster minority representation and inclusion within their structures. The training sessions will delve into the intricacies of linguistic and ethnic inclusivity, aiming to equip participants with the knowledge and tools necessary to create more diverse and welcoming organizational environments.

Throughout the program, an effort will be made to establish connections and synergies with existing youth initiatives within different organisations. By aligning with these initiatives, the event seeks to tap into collective strengths and resources, fostering collaboration among various youth-focused efforts focused on ethnic and linguistic minorities.

A key outcome of the event will be the development of a joint action plan. This plan will serve as a strategic framework for raising awareness on pluri-linguistic sensitivity within youth organizations. The intention is to not only instill a deeper understanding of linguistic diversity but also to encourage proactive measures that promote inclusivity and representation of minorities in the youth sector. 

Profile of the participant

• You must be resident in one of the Council of Europe Countries. Candidates from ethnic and linguistic minorities are particularly encouraged to apply.
• Being able to work and communicate fluently in English.
• 18 – 30 years old.
• Interested in the topic and/or being actively involved in youth organizations working with ethnic and linguistic minorities.
• Available to attend all training sessions between the 15th and the 21st of March.

What we are offering

• A full five-day training event (with arrival on the 15th of March and departure on the 21st of March 2023).
• Accommodation and food covered for the duration of the seminar in Cyprus.
• Travel reimbursement up to 400 euros. In order to be able to reimburse the travels, you must travel on the 15th and the 21st of March. If you have a strong justification for traveling on other dates, please get in touch with us.
• An opportunity to learn about ethnic and linguistic minorities, to reflect on the challenges that youth workers encounter when working ethnic and linguistic minorities and gain the right skills and tools to work and make the spaces within your organizations more inclusive and intersectional. 
• A networking opportunity with young people working in different youth sectors related to ethnic and linguistic minorities.
• Becoming part of an engaging and dynamic pool of participants from all over Europe. 

Fee and finances

• The participation fee is 50 euros covering all on-site expenses.  We understand budgets are tight for young people all around Europe at the moment, and we will gladly consider your application to JEF’s Solidarity Fund for fee-free participation. In order to apply for it, you should state it in your application and we will get back to you. Be aware that this opportunity is only available for a few participants and thus be very specific in your motivation as to why you are applying for the Solidarity Fund. It is especially meant for young people coming from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Should you want to apply for this fund – after submitting your application through the form, please write your motivation in an email to alex.gomezbedmar@jef.eu.
• The travel reimbursement will be made after the event once we have received all relevant tickets and receipts (by email and physically in our office).

How to apply?

Please apply by completing the application webform:

The deadline to apply is February 4th, 2023 at 23:59 CET and all applicants will be contacted shortly during the week afterwards.