TUNE Network 2026

Timespan: 01/01/2026 – 31/12/2026

Call: ERASMUS-YOUTH-2026-CSC-OG-SGA

(Civil Society Cooperation in the field of Youth – SGA)

Donor: European Union

Applicant: United Societies of Balkans (U.S.B)(Greece) 

Partners: AGIS, NOTE et INNOVE (ANI International)- France; IAMAITA INTERCULTURA APS- Italy; Amaro Drom e.V. – Germany; AMICS –  Spain; CET PLATFORM SKOPJE –  Republic of North Macedonia; CONTEXTOS – Portugal; DEVELOPMENT CENTER FOR YOUTH (DC YOUTH) – Serbia; INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR DEVELOPMENT OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING (ICDET) – Bulgaria ; LDA Mostar – Bosnia and Herzegovina; NEVO PARUDIMOS – Romania; PER ESEMPIO ONLUS – Italy; Pistes-Solidaires – France; REDIAL – Ireland; Sempre a Frente – Poland; SOCIAL POLICY AND ACTION ORGANIZATION (S.P.A.O.) – Cyprus; TALLER D’ART, CULTURA I CREACIO (TACC BCN) –  Spain; TOGETHER FOR LIFE (TFL) – Albania  ; TURKISH EX-EVS VOLUNTEERS’ ASSOCIATION – Turkey; Youth for Youth – Slovakia.

DESCRIPTION

The TUNE Network’s 2026 Work Programme aims to strengthen meaningful youth participation, civic engagement, and inclusion across Europe through a transnational, youth-led approach. Responding to evidence gathered through the TUNE Youth Participation Survey, which highlights low representation, unequal opportunities, lack of information, and limited trust in institutions, the programme focuses on building the capacities of both young people and youth workers while creating accessible spaces for civic action.

In 2026, TUNE will implement a series of online and in-person trainings on youth civic engagement, democratic participation, project management, and digital tools. Youth workers will enhance their facilitation and leadership skills, enabling them to guide young people in local civic initiatives, while young people will gain opportunities to develop key competences, organise campaigns, facilitate workshops, and lead community actions.

The creation of a Youth Committee and thematic Working Groups will bring together participants from partner organisations to collaborate on priority issues such as inclusion, mental health, and accessibility, producing shared outputs and strengthening cross-border cooperation. Digital engagement campaigns across all member countries will mobilise young people around topics identified as most relevant by the survey, including mental health, education, peace, anti-discrimination, and climate action.

Local actions and trainings in each partner organisation will ensure that participation opportunities reach young people from diverse and fewer-opportunities backgrounds. A Europe-wide consultation survey and the annual General Assembly will allow TUNE to monitor progress, adjust strategies, and reinforce democratic governance within the network. Through this workplan, TUNE Network aims to create lasting structures for inclusive youth engagement and strengthen the impact of the member organisations at a local and European level.

NETWORK MAIN OBJECTIVES

• Strengthen youth participation in democratic and civic life, creating inclusive tools and spaces, both online and offline, for youth to participate in shaping their communities.
• Support youth-led initiatives through non-formal education and mentoring, where Member organisations will provide structured support for young people to develop their own ideas and lead local actions.
• Expand and safeguard civic space for youth, through structured dialogue with local authorities, cocreation of participation plans, and advocacy campaigns.
• Foster cross-border collaboration and knowledge-sharing with the facilitation of joint initiatives, peer learning, and exchange of good practices among its 20 member organisations from 17
• Increase visibility and influence youth policy in public policy at local, national, and European level, strengthening the impact of youth advocacy.
• Build financial sustainability for the network and its members, by providing training in diversifying funding sources, reinforcing internal capacities, and developing strategic partnerships.

TARGET GROUPS

• Youth Workers:
  Strengthen their capacities through trainings on civic engagement and inclusion, while improving facilitation, leadership, and organisational skills to support youth participation.
• Young People:
  The main target group, actively involved in trainings, facilitation, campaigns, and local actions, developing skills and contributing to the network, with a focus on those with fewer opportunities.
• Working Group Participants (Youth & Youth Workers):
  A smaller group (approx. 21 participants) collaborating on topics such as participation, inclusion, mental health, and capacity-building, while developing teamwork and producing concrete results.
• Local Youth Organisations:
  Gain access to tools, methodologies, and transnational cooperation, increasing their visibility and strengthening their impact at both local and European levels.

RESULTS

The TUNE Network will lead to strengthened capacities of youth workers and young people through trainings, tools development, and the implementation of local activities focused on civic engagement and inclusion. At least 40 youth workers and 40 young people will be directly trained, while an additional 200 young people will participate in local trainings and activities. Developed learning materials, practical tools, and digital campaigns will support knowledge sharing and community engagement, reaching at least 20,000 people online.

Young people will take on active roles as facilitators, campaign organisers, and leaders of local initiatives, enhancing their communication, leadership, and teamwork skills. A strong focus is placed on including young people with fewer opportunities, contributing to more inclusive and equitable participation.

The project will further strengthen cooperation among youth organisations through thematic working groups, co-creation of outputs, and exchange of best practices. A consultation process involving at least 400 young people from over 20 countries will ensure that the future development of the network reflects the real needs of youth.

In the long term, the project contributes to higher-quality youth services, more inclusive communities, and increased youth participation in democratic processes, while building a sustainable and well-connected European youth network.

IMPLEMENTED ACTIVITIES