Training Course for Local Action on Young People’s Social Rights

The ACCESS! Training Course is a Council of Europe programme that helps local authorities and youth professionals improve young people’s access to social rights through training, peer learning, mentoring, and local action. The programme supports multidisciplinary teams working to reduce inequality, discrimination, and social exclusion while strengthening youth participation in local decision-making.

What is the ACCESS! Training Course?

The ACCESS! Training Course is an international capacity-building programme designed to strengthen local implementation of Recommendation CM/Rec(2015)3 on the access of young people from disadvantaged neighbourhoods to social rights.

The programme brings together local authorities, youth workers, social service providers, and other stakeholders to develop coordinated local responses that improve access to education, housing, healthcare, social services, and other essential rights for young people.

Participants work collaboratively to analyse local challenges, exchange good practices, and develop practical action plans that promote inclusive and rights-based local governance.

Program Overview

Programme Name: ACCESS! Training Course
Organising Institution: Council of Europe
Training Format: Residential seminar, peer learning, mentoring, and local action
Seminar Location: Strasbourg, France
Target Participants: Multidisciplinary local teams working on youth inclusion
Primary Focus: Improving young people’s access to social rights through coordinated local action

Programme Objectives

The ACCESS! Training Course aims to strengthen local policies and partnerships that improve young people’s access to social rights.

Its main objectives include:

Strengthening local implementation of Recommendation CM/Rec(2015)3.
Supporting coordinated and participatory local responses.
Encouraging cooperation across multiple sectors.
Promoting rights-based and youth-centred approaches.
Increasing meaningful participation of young people in decision-making.
Building sustainable local partnerships.
Reducing inequality, discrimination, and social exclusion.
Strengthening democratic local governance.

Key Focus Areas

The programme addresses a wide range of issues affecting young people’s social inclusion.

Priority areas include:

Access to social rights
Youth inclusion
Social equality
Human rights
Democratic participation
Local governance
Youth policy
Social services
Housing
Education
Healthcare
Intersectoral cooperation
Community partnerships
Anti-discrimination
Social cohesion

The programme encourages integrated solutions involving multiple public institutions and community organisations.

What Does the Programme Include?

The ACCESS! Training Course combines several learning and collaboration activities.

Participants will benefit from:

Residential training sessions.
Peer learning with participants from across Europe.
Mentoring and professional guidance.
Collaborative local action planning.
Exchange of good practices.
Networking with local government and youth professionals.
Development of practical solutions to local challenges.

The programme also contributes to building a European network of local actors committed to advancing young people’s social rights.

Funding and Financial Support

The Council of Europe provides financial support for participants attending the residential seminar.

Funding includes:

Accommodation during the seminar.
Meals throughout the programme.
Reimbursement of eligible travel expenses to and from Strasbourg.
Visa cost coverage where applicable.

Participants are required to pay an enrolment fee of €72, which is incorporated into the reimbursement process according to the Council of Europe’s financial procedures.

Residential Seminar

The residential seminar will take place in Strasbourg, France.

During the seminar, participants will:

Attend interactive training sessions.
Participate in workshops and discussions.
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.
Develop local action strategies.
Build partnerships with organisations across Europe.

Interpretation services will be available during the seminar where required.

Who is Eligible?

Applicants must meet all programme eligibility requirements.

Team Composition

Applications must be submitted by teams consisting of 2 to 3 members from the same:

Municipality
City
Local community

Each team should represent different sectors or institutions.

Required Team Members

Every team must include:

At least one representative of a local or regional authority (or a relevant substructure).

The remaining members may include:

Youth workers
Youth organisation representatives
Social service professionals
Education professionals
Housing specialists
Health professionals
Other stakeholders working on youth inclusion

Multidisciplinary teams are strongly encouraged.

Residency Requirements

Applicants must be residents of States Parties to the European Cultural Convention.

Language Requirements

Participants must be able to work in:

English, or
French

Interpretation will be provided during the residential seminar.

What Makes a Strong Application?

Competitive applications generally demonstrate:

Strong commitment to improving youth inclusion.
Experience working with disadvantaged young people.
Representation from multiple sectors.
Clear local challenges that the team intends to address.
Commitment to implementing local action after the training.
Support from local authorities.
Interest in long-term international cooperation.

Applications should clearly explain how participation will strengthen local efforts to improve young people’s access to social rights.

How to Apply

Follow these steps to prepare a strong application.

Step 1: Form Your Team

Create a multidisciplinary team of 2 to 3 members from the same municipality, city, or local community.

Step 2: Ensure Required Representation

Include at least one representative from a local or regional authority.

Invite additional members from relevant sectors such as youth work, education, housing, health, or social services.

Step 3: Assess Local Challenges

Identify barriers affecting young people’s access to social rights within your community.

Step 4: Prepare Your Application

Explain:

Your team’s experience.
Local challenges.
Existing partnerships.
Expected outcomes.
How the training will strengthen local cooperation.

Step 5: Confirm Language Eligibility

Ensure all team members can actively participate in English or French.

Step 6: Submit Your Application

Complete and submit the application before the official deadline in accordance with the programme guidelines.

Why This Programme Matters

Young people from disadvantaged communities often face barriers to education, housing, healthcare, employment, and civic participation.

The ACCESS! Training Course helps local communities:

Improve access to social rights.
Strengthen cooperation across public services.
Develop inclusive local policies.
Increase youth participation in decision-making.
Build sustainable local partnerships.
Reduce discrimination and inequality.
Promote democratic governance.

The programme equips local actors with practical tools to create lasting improvements in young people’s lives.

Common Application Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid the following mistakes:

Forming teams without representatives from local authorities.
Submitting teams from different municipalities.
Failing to demonstrate intersectoral collaboration.
Providing vague descriptions of local challenges.
Not explaining how the training outcomes will be implemented locally.
Ignoring language requirements.
Submitting incomplete application materials.

Reviewing the application carefully before submission can improve the likelihood of selection.

Tips for Preparing a Strong Application

To strengthen your application:

Build a diverse team representing multiple sectors.
Clearly identify local barriers affecting young people.
Demonstrate existing collaboration within your community.
Show strong support from local authorities.
Explain how your team will apply the knowledge gained after the training.
Highlight your commitment to youth participation and social inclusion.
Present realistic plans for long-term local impact.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for the ACCESS! Training Course?

Teams of 2 to 3 members from the same municipality, city, or local community that include at least one representative of a local or regional authority and other professionals working on youth inclusion.

Where will the training take place?

The residential seminar will be held in Strasbourg, France.

What costs are covered?

The Council of Europe covers accommodation, meals, eligible travel reimbursement, and visa costs where applicable. Participants pay an enrolment fee of €72, which is incorporated into the reimbursement process.

What topics does the programme cover?

The programme focuses on youth social rights, inclusion, intersectoral cooperation, democratic participation, social services, education, housing, healthcare, and reducing discrimination and social exclusion.

Who is eligible to participate?

Applicants must reside in a State Party to the European Cultural Convention and be able to work in English or French.

Why must applications be submitted as teams?

The programme promotes cross-sector collaboration. Teams representing different institutions are better positioned to develop coordinated local solutions for improving young people’s access to social rights.

What makes a successful application?

Strong applications demonstrate multidisciplinary cooperation, support from local authorities, a clear understanding of local challenges, commitment to youth participation, and practical plans for implementing the knowledge gained through the programme.

Conclusion

The ACCESS! Training Course offers an excellent opportunity for local authorities, youth workers, and community professionals to strengthen collaboration and improve young people’s access to social rights. Through training, mentoring, peer learning, and international networking, participants gain practical skills to address inequality, discrimination, and social exclusion within their communities. Multidisciplinary teams that demonstrate a strong commitment to inclusive local governance and youth participation are well positioned to benefit from this valuable Council of Europe programme.