All you need to know about Eurodesk Poland

We answer enquiries, we run a data base of grant programmes, we disseminate information about European youth policy, we help to find project partners, we distribute publications and newsletters, we conduct Eurolessons, we cooperate with dozens of organisations within Poland and hundreds across Europe…

Eurodesk is…

Eurodesk is a programme for youths, youth workers and youth organisations supported by funding and content from the European Union within the Youth in Action programme [5] and specifically in Poland by the Ministry of National Education [6].

Eurodesk is a network operating in 31 European countries [7]. It consists of organisations and institutions working with youths, dealing with information relating to European and youth issues. Over 1000 organisations work within the Eurodesk network, of which over 70 are in Eurodesk Poland [8].

Eurodesk is an information provider on opportunities in Europe – for youths and youth workers. Most enquiries relate to education, training, mobility and what funds are available to recipients.

How we operate

The structure. The Eurodesk programme works on four levels – European, national, regional and local levels. The coordinator at the European level is the Eurodesk European Office “Brussels Link” [9] , in Brussels. The coordination of the programme in Poland is the responsibility of the National Office of Eurodesk Poland, which is located in the Foundation for the Development of the Education System [10] in Warsaw. Within institutions and organisations in larger polish cities there are Eurodesk Poland Regional Points [8]. Eurodesk Poland Local Points [8] operate within regional networks in towns and smaller localities. Cooperation within the Eurodesk Poland network operates on a no-charge basis. Organisations belonging to the Polish Eurodesk network gain access to:
1. Internet tools - intranet and database;
2. Publications and promotional materials of Eurodesk Poland;
3. The opportunity for national and international meetings, training, and information projects.

Tools. Eurodesk consultants are constantly communicating with each other via the internet so we can receive and transfer information instantly between organisations. We manage a base of Polish and European grant programmes [11], organisations and institutions [12], projects [13] and groups looking for project partners [14] and sources of European and youth information.

Know-How. Our actions are supported by long-standing experience in managing information – we seek, collect, process and provide information. We share our know-how with the representatives of organisations and institutions which belong to the Eurodesk Poland network [8]. It is an effective two-way communication network. Eurodesk Poland consultants are often experts in youth, education, mobility, training and the European Union. They willingly share their knowledge and experience with other network members. The essence of Eurodesk networking is perfectly outlined in the reportage on the Eurodesk Poland network [15] (Polish-language version only).

What we do

We answer enquiries. We answers enquiries by their hundreds, from Poland and abroad. For example, “Why do we celebrate Europe Day on 9 May? How to do busking in Great Britain? What is the Polish expression for the French Liberté – Égalité - Fraternité? We answer them by phone, by e-mail and all personally. Do you have a question? If so, please contact the National Office of Eurodesk Poland [16] or one of the points of Eurodesk Poland [8].

We inform! Competitions, grants, training – our news bulletins offer a review of the most important issues related to European youth policy. We inform you about recent events, publications and news on the Internet. We disseminate the most interesting news items every month through the electronic newsletter – ‘Eurokursor [17]’. Once a week we issue the ‘Eurokursor-Partners’ [17]which contains information on organisations and groups searching for project partners. We also publish a hardcopy quaterly "Europe for the Active [18]" which in the middle of 2010 replaced our bi-monthly newsletter ‘Your Eurodesk’ [19]along with its special thematic supplements. The Quaterly "Europe for the Active" is received by well over two thousand organisations and institutions across Poland.

We issue publications. For several years we have been issuing publications in Europe for youth – on work (“Na biało” [“In White”]) [20], studies (“Studiowanie to wyzwanie” [“Studying is a Challenge”]) [21] and voluntary service (“Altruista w akcji” [“An Altruist in Action”]) [22]. Publications are available free of charge at Eurodesk Poland points [8] only. As Poles are now citizens of European Union (EU), they can easily go to other EU countries and they frequently do – to study at university, to work and undertake voluntary service. We have decided to help them with their pursuits. Information on work, studies and voluntary service in Europe is also available on our website in the section “Europa bez granic” [“Europe without Borders”] [23]. .

We conduct Eurolessons. The lessons focus on work, studies, voluntary service, funds and other European opportunities. There are five lessons. Each of them is different and all are fascinating. They have been prepared by professional Eurodesk Poland consultants, who conduct lessons in schools, and youth organisations. Before the 2009 Parlimentary Elections we made a documentary on the Eurolessons asking their participants what they think on European Union. The movie titled "The Voice of the Youth" can be watched on our website [24] (with English subtitles).

We are responsible for the European Youth Portal. This consists of over 10,000 links to websites in 31 European countries. All of them have been selected and described by national Eurodesk consultants. The European Youth Portal [25]consists of 7 sections. Three of the most important of these are voluntary service, work and studies. This is the best youth-oriented website in the European Union.