UNITED SOCIETIES OF BALKANS (USB) - Greece
United Societies of Balkans (U.S.B.) is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation based in Thessaloniki, Greece working in the field of youth, human rights and intercultural dialogue. It was founded in 2008 by the inception of a group of active young people who wanted to address the social issues which affect the youngsters in the Balkans and Eastern Europe. The vision and aim of the organisation is the promotion of youth empowerment, participation in the economic and political life, youth mobility, voluntarism and human rights.
Key areas of the organisation’s activities concern the defence of human rights and the intercultural dialogue, the organisation of youth related projects such as youth exchanges and training courses, which can bring young people from Balkans and Europe together, and the organisation of local interventions, campaigns, researches, seminars and multimedia productions. It envisions a global and inclusive society, where citizens are equally empowered to contribute in the shaping of a world with less prejudice, discrimination and other forms of injustice.
Contact
United Societies of Balkans (U.S.B.)
Tel. +30 231 0 215 629
www.usbngo.gr
SFERA International – North Macedonia
SFERA International is a non-governmental, non-profit youth organization based in Bitola, North Macedonia. Founded in 2007 as an informal group and formally registered in 2009, the association works to empower young people and communities through non-formal education, sustainable development, and active citizenship.
Our mission is to educate and inspire individuals of all ages on topics such as environmental protection, cultural and natural heritage, healthy lifestyles, human rights, and democratic participation. SFERA promotes youth mobility, volunteerism, intercultural dialogue, and the development of leadership and professional skills, with a special focus on engaging young people with fewer opportunities.
Over the past 17 years, SFERA has successfully implemented more than 100 local and international projects and participated as a partner in over 600 Erasmus+ and Youth in Action initiatives, sending more than 5,500 young people abroad. We have hosted nearly 600 international volunteers and continue to play an active role in European programs such as Erasmus+, ESC, Creative Europe, and Europe for Citizens.
At the national level, SFERA leads the Municipal Youth Center in Bitola, serving over 5,000 young people annually, and is a member of key youth and environmental networks. Internationally, we collaborate with partner organizations across Europe, ensuring strong visibility and sustainable impact of our work. Our vision is a society where young people are empowered, active, and equipped to shape a more just, sustainable, and inclusive future.
Contact
SFERA International – Bitola
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📞 +389 71 369 679 / +389 74 245 154
🌐 www.sferainternational.org
Stadt Detmold - Germany
With five town twinning partnerships and one town friendship, the city of Detmold cultivates diverse relationships across Europe and beyond, fulfilling its democratic commitment to peace and cooperation.
Partnerships are formally established through decisions by the respective city councils and confirmed by official agreements. A town friendship, by contrast, is concluded directly between the mayors and their administrations. The people who foster, strengthen, and expand these international ties form part of Detmold’s Team Europe / International Cooperation.
Through these initiatives, Detmold has built a dynamic European network, enriched by school and internship exchanges, cultural club meetings, Europe Days and Weeks, international conferences, citizen delegations, youth exchanges, and administrative collaborations. This work is supported by a wide range of international cultural societies established in Detmold.
For us, cultural diversity is a source of opportunity. We exchange knowledge and experience, broaden perspectives, and break down barriers—both in minds and hearts. Young people gain firsthand exposure to international cooperation, while the local economy benefits from global connections.
In 2013, Detmold was proud to be named a “Europe-active municipality in North Rhine-Westphalia”—a recognition of our ongoing commitment to peace, dialogue, and cooperation.
Contact
City of Detmold - Team Europe/ International corporations
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📞05231 977 8425
🌐https://www.detmold.de/stadtleben/gemeinschaft-und-soziales/europa-internationale-zusammenarbeit
COOPERATIVE D'INITIATIVE JEUNES ENTREPRENEUR.ES - France
Cooperative D’initiative Jeunes Entrepreneur.e.s (CIJE) is a public interest cooperative. Its programs allow young adults (underprivileged youth, NEETs, apprentices, schoolchildren, dropouts…) who wish to express their talents to learn from their own cooperative, offering services to the population of the territories.
CIJE has 3 locations in Corsica: Porto-Vecchio, Ajaccio, Bastia, but it is also located in the overseas departments: Guadeloupe (Pointe à Pitre and Capesse Terre Belle Eau) and French Guiana: Cayenne.
The cooperative introduces people to the democratic functioning of a company, to the organization of labor, cooperative management and operation of the market. They are supported by facilitators, a local committee which brings together professionals in employment, cooperatives, actors of social and solidarity economy sector. Supported by an experienced and skilled regional network, CIJE develops and promotes multidisciplinary approaches based on the transfer of know-how and the articulation between theoretical and practical activities where learners are put into a real-life situation, which helps them to develop skills and knowledge. Its expertise is based on cooperative pedagogy and new technologies to provide young people and trainers with tools that can be used to improve the teaching-learning process.
In particular, CIJE activities aims to develop the sense of initiative and entrepreneurship, promote empowerment and active citizenship, strengthen open and digital integration in the areas of learning, education, training and youth.
Contact
https://coop-jeunes.eu/
0495589605
Social Policy and Action Organization (SPAO) - Cyprus
The Social Policy and Action Organization (SPAO) is a non-governmental, non-profit organization (No.4146) established in August 2014 in Cyprus.
The aim of the Organization is to enhance the quality of life, particularly for young people and groups with fewer opportunities. This is achieved through the identification, enhancement or/and development, implementation, and promotion of social policies and good practices. These efforts focus, among others, on social inclusion and integration, equality, equity, active citizenship, human rights, youth social and civic participation, and youth empowerment, all while addressing social problems and challenges. Sustainable development and gender equality, along with gender mainstreaming based on the principles of intersectionality, are embedded as horizontal objectives across all SPAO’s initiatives.
The general objectives are to: a) Present good practices and evidence-based actions tackling specific social challenges b) Advocate for and promote social policy recommendations c) Empower and support youth d) Design and implement prevention practices and awareness-raising campaigns e) Provide training and learning opportunities.
SPAO’s programmes, projects, actions, and activities relate to core elements enriching quality of life, including Social Well-Being (diversity, equity, and inclusion - DEI), Social Welfare (ensuring basic needs like food, housing, healthcare, and education), Health (physical and mental well-being), Education (equal access to learning and personal development), Employment for economic stability (income, job security, and financial health), Environment (sustainable living conditions, green societies), Social Connections (family and peers, community involvement, support networks), Safety (personal and public safety), and Leisure and Recreation (cultural, artistic, sports, and self-improvement activities).Leisure and Recreation: Opportunities for hobbies, sports, and relaxation.
The Organization operates two Centers a) the Centre for Prevention, Information and Awareness entitled “React Act Prevent Sexual Violence”, which focuses on primary prevention actions, including awareness workshops and seminars for NGOs, governmental officers, parents, children and young people, awareness events and campaigns and others and b) The Social Support Office for Marathasa Region was established by the Social Policy and Action Organization with aim to provide any social support or/and other related social services to the people living in the villages Pedoulas, Moutoullas, Kalopanayiotis, Oikos, Gerakies.
Contact
www.socialpolicyaction.org
0495589605
Youth for youth (Y4Y) - Slovakia
Youth for Youth is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation based in Svinica, Slovakia, working in the field of youth empowerment, rural development, and active citizenship. It was founded in 2023 by a group of young people motivated to strengthen the position of local youth and address the social and economic challenges faced by rural communities. The vision of the organisation is to promote equal opportunities, participation, and innovation in rural areas, while supporting the personal and professional development of young people.
Key areas of the organisation’s activities include education, youth mobility, sports, digitalisation, and environmental protection. Youth for Youth organises youth exchanges, training courses, workshops, and solidarity projects that bring together young people from Slovakia and across Europe. At the local level, it implements initiatives such as community meetings, awareness campaigns, and sports activities that encourage participation, social integration, and healthier lifestyles. The organisation also works closely with municipalities to strengthen youth involvement in decision-making processes. Youth for Youth envisions inclusive and resilient communities where young people are heard, supported, and empowered to contribute to positive change.
Contact
Youth for youth (Y4Y)
Tel. +421 918 840 535
https://www.youth4youth.eu/
Akwedukt Association - Poland
Akwedukt Association is an NGO based in Kwidzyn, Poland, established in 2015. Our main focus is on implementing ESC (European Solidarity Corps) volunteering projects. These projects open up many different opportunities that we pursue with our guests from various countries across Europe and the world.
The Akwedukt Association was established to support local and international activism, mainly through voluntary service. Initial activities are international youth exchanges, then European Voluntary Service. From 2015, our organisation has been recognized locally, regionally and internationally. Our actions are appreciated. In addition to volunteering, we specialise in the field of international and intercultural cooperation.
Since 2015, we have been permanently cooperating with Kwidzyn schools and kindergartens, coordinating the work of volunteers there. Thanks to their work, children, youth and adults have the opportunity to learn about other cultures/religions, break stereotypes towards other nationalities - and this is especially important in a small city that has been hermetic and homogeneous for many years. Kwidzyn is slowly becoming more open and tolerant, making our city safer, the worldview is changing, open to diversity and the necessary discussion. Such measures are especially needed nowadays due to the large number of labor immigrants residing in our industrial city.
Thanks to our work and the work of our volunteers, we organize various activities for children and youth, such as Culture Week, intercultural meetings and workshops.
Contact
Stowarzyszenie Akwedukt
www.akwedukt.org.pl
tel: (+48) 661 936 759, (+48) 531 925 095
AMICS EU - SPAIN
We are a non-formal education organisation providing learning opportunities to the people in our area (youth, adults and children). We have several activities and promote also mobility programmes.
We started our activities in 2005, as a result of a Youth in Action initiative of a Scout group. Since that moment, we have been developing our local and international network in order to develop our activities.
We consider we are experts in nonformal education, motivation of youth, empowerment of youth and inclusion. Using in a proficient way games and more specifically board games.
Since 2017 we are cooperating with different organisations in the field of diversity and disability, more particularly intellectual disability. We have organized Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps projects since then.
We have also been involved in vocational education projects providing the non-formal education tools to improve the quality of the education and using also Online-Open-Badges.
Contact
Amics EU
ASSOCIACIÒ AMICS
Tel: +34 656541202
Municipality of Oraiokastro
The Municipality of Oraiokastro is considered a suburb of Thessaloniki, in the region of Central Macedonia, Greece. The municipality Oraiokastro was formed at the 2011 local government reform by the merger of the following 3 former municipalities that became municipal units: 1)Kallithea, 2)Mygdonia, 3)Oraiokastro. The municipality has an area of 217.855 km2 and the municipal unit Oreokastro which is located 11 km north of Thessaloniki. has an area of 21.855 km2.The municipality has a population of 40,004 inhabitants according to the October 2021 census. We are a vibrant community at the crossroads of tradition and innovation with a strong emphasis on inclusion, promoting creativity, social participation, and empowering young people.
We are committed to extroversion and openness, actively building bridges with other European communities and promoting intercultural dialogue (twinned with the municipalities of Detmold and Bodio Lomnago through town-twinning programs). Through partnerships, exchange of good practices and collaborations, our municipality is committed to empower its citizens—especially young people— to play an active role in shaping Europe’s future.
Culture and youth empowerment are also central pillars of our strategy. We invest in initiatives that promote artistic expression, cultural participation, and volunteerism, creating spaces where young people can develop skills, confidence, and a sense of belonging. Based on the above, a Youth Council has been established and is now functioning, taking part in many activities within and outside the municipality. It was established with the mission to empower young people, amplify their voice in local decision-making, and promote active citizenship and intergenerational dialogue. The youth Council operates under the principles of democratic participation, inclusion, and solidarity, representing the youth of the region both locally and in national and international forums. Key areas of its action include youth participation in local governance, non-formal education, environmental awareness, human rights advocacy, and intercultural exchange. The Council regularly organizes forums, consultations, workshops, and collaborative actions with schools, NGOs, and European partners, giving young people real opportunities to make a difference in their society.
At the same time, we are deeply aware of our social responsibility. Our municipality embraces inclusivity, solidarity, and respect for every age and social group, ensuring that all citizens—regardless of origin, background, or circumstance—can contribute to and benefit from community life. Within this framework, Social Structures (Social Pharmacy, Social Grocery Store, Community Center), Open Protection Centers for the Elderly, and Day Care Centers for the Elderly operate and serve citizens. It is also worth mentioning the Remote Care program, which provides medical and nursing support in remote areas of the municipality. The program was launched with funding from the Interreg Greece-Bulgaria program and continues with its own resources.
In this way, our Municipality seeks to ensure that the best of the European dimension is reflected: a place where cultural identity prospers alongside openness, where young people are empowered to shape the future, and where humanity and solidarity form the foundation of sustainable development.
Contact
Municipality of Oraiokastro
City Hall of Oraiokasro, Komninon 76
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📞+302313304000, +302313304001, +302313304002
🌐https://oraiokastro.gr/
