In a bid to address the unique challenges faced by the approximately five million European Union citizens residing in the outermost regions, YOUTH 4 OUTERMOST REGIONS has embarked on a mission to empower the youth in these distant areas. Spanning the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, the Caribbean Sea, and South America, these regions are integral to the EU but grapple with issues such as remoteness, insularity, small size, challenging topography, and susceptibility to extreme weather events.
To address these challenges, the European Commission adopted a comprehensive strategy in May 2022 titled “Putting People First, Securing Sustainable and Inclusive Growth, Unlocking the Potential of the EU’s Outermost Regions.” The strategy aims to enhance the quality of life in these regions while promoting sustainable recovery and growth.
As part of this broader initiative, the YOUTH4ORs project has been developed, aligning with the European Year of Youth (2022). The European Year of Youth underscored the significance of engaging and supporting young people to become active and informed citizens.
The YOUTH 4 OUTERMOST REGIONS project is co-funded by the European Union and carried out by SERN. SERN is a European network of regional stakeholders working to foster a culture of social and economic innovation. YOUTH4ORs focuses on providing financial support for youth-led initiatives within the outermost regions through the launch of two calls for action. The project encourages young individuals or teams, as well as organisations working with young people, to propose actions aimed at enhancing their local communities or regions. This encompasses a broad spectrum of issues, allowing for a diverse range of proposals that address the specific needs and aspirations of these regions.
Young changemakers are invited to apply for financial support to bring their ideas to life and contribute to the overall development and well-being of their communities. To learn more about the initiative and to submit proposals, interested individuals and organisations can visit YOUTH4ORs’ official website.
YOUTH 4 OUTERMOST REGIONS is poised to play a crucial role in fostering positive change, empowering the youth, and advancing inclusive and sustainable development in the outermost regions of the European Union.