- Buruciye Genclik ve Egitim Dernegi (www.buruciye.org): It is a civil society organization based in Sivas that aims to raise youth awareness and participation in issues related to youth mobility, civic engagement, culture, and social matters. Founded in 2020, the association began its youth activities with the vision of empowering young people to become active members of society in all areas, especially education, social life, and democracy. Its mission also includes the promotion of volunteering and human rights under all circumstances, and enhancing young people’s competences to improve their employability in every field.
The association operates in Sivas, one of the cities in Turkey with the most extensive rural structure. It has strong experience and consistency in reaching individuals with limited geographical and economic opportunities. In this context, it implements various educational, social responsibility, and cultural projects aimed at creating equal opportunities for disadvantaged youth. Buruciye plays an important role in understanding the needs of young people in the region and developing effective solutions tailored to them.
Our motivation in youth and volunteering activities is:
To promote the values of non-formal learning, volunteering, active citizenship, and democracy to create a better future for European youth;
To encourage respect for human rights, solidarity, and diversity between youth and society;
To involve minorities and migrants in youth activities;
To build strong cooperation bridges between Turkey and European countries;
To foster freedom of expression and skill development among youth;
To raise awareness on human rights and enhance intercultural dialogue;
To support the use of art as a tool for youth development and self-expression;
To discover, promote, and multiply the unique cultural features of our communities;
To break down prejudices and stereotypes between European countries and young people.
Since 2020, our organization has carried out and participated in many local and international activities based on formal and non-formal education. Buruciye Youth and Education Association focuses particularly on youth work under the new Erasmus+ framework, with an emphasis on the recognition of non-formal education and its benefits for society.
Our target group is young people aged 18–30, regardless of their educational, cultural, or ethnic background. Our activities are always based on the needs and interests of this age group and the wider community. For this reason, our organization has worked on different topics, including human rights education, intercultural learning, gender issues, entrepreneurship, ecology, and more, building extensive and diverse experience in youth work. Since its establishment in 2020, Buruciye has participated in 11 projects.Website: (www.buruciye.org Instagram:buruciye.ged)
2. Be Brave (N.Macedonia): Our association, Be Brave Skopje, was established in August 2019.
The main motivation behind its establishment was to create equal rights and opportunities for all citizens of the Republic of North Macedonia in achieving social, economic, educational, cultural, and scientific interests.
Our activities are carried out through various actions such as advocacy and policy dialogue, awareness raising, service delivery, research, and networking, with a focus on gender equality and the rights of women and girls. Through our projects, we have sought to raise the level of democratic approaches in social life by conducting direct field monitoring, analysis, critical assessment, and making recommendations for the implementation of public policies.
Our first project was implemented in cooperation with the Municipality of Butel, where we celebrated International Women’s Day on March 8 in a unique way: with a full-day event titled “Real Care for Women – A Different March 8.”
Be Brave continued its activities with a project supported by the CIVICA MOBILITAS program. The target group consisted of children aged 9–13+ from the Butel municipality.
The association also took part in the “New Cultural Wave” initiative supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Macedonia. Through our project “Positive Vibrations for Positive Thinking,” we introduced cultural opportunities to young people from different ethnic backgrounds.
Be Brave also participated in the “Young Europeans” initiative supported by the Ministry of Culture, where 60 activists took part and 120 visitors attended. We work with children in cooperation with the world’s first Children’s Embassy, MEGJASHI. In addition, we have participated in various projects supported by UNDP, USAID, and the EU. Ajshe has been part of several Erasmus+ projects, most of which focused on young people and students.
3. Stichting JOS www.stichtingjos.com): In February 2023, a group of youth workers interested in addressing social issues established Stichting JOS in Rotterdam (see stichting-jos Instagram page). Before obtaining this new legal status, the group had already been active in the same city for about two years as an informal collective. During that period, they worked with more than 10 young people through youth-led activities, local projects, and humanitarian initiatives.
Now, as a civil society organization, Stichting JOS aims to provide young people with a space where they can discover who they are, build safe social networks, and grow personally through fun and education. The organization seeks to create a community of young people who value human rights, respect each other’s differences regardless of nationality, race, language, religion, beliefs, social class, gender, or political ideology, and who develop a shared philosophy of life. Its mission is to carry out the necessary activities and projects to guarantee the sustainability of all young people’s fundamental rights and freedoms.
To achieve these goals, the organization aims to encourage the active participation of youth in decision-making processes and ensure effective decision-making in defending, protecting, and advancing human rights, in collaboration with local, national, and international individuals and institutions working in related fields.
The foundation also seeks to build strong relationships between public institutions, stakeholders, and NGOs in the Netherlands and across Europe, to raise awareness among all young people about sustainability, inclusive and sustainable growth, climate change, and environmental issues. It was established with the vision of promoting social cohesion through individuals’ philosophy of the environment, and aims to foster collaborations by supporting people, institutions, and organizations working in related areas.
Our goal is to build a society where everyone can freely express themselves in an environment where different values are respected, and where this diversity promotes lifelong learning and development. By breaking down prejudices arising from cultural differences, the organization aims to contribute to individual growth and the achievement of social peace.
4. Beogradska akademija poslovnih i umetnickih strukovnih studija (https://www.bpa.edu.rs/) : The Belgrade Business and Arts Academy of Applied Sciences (BAPUSS) is the first and leading accredited higher education institution in Serbia in the fields of information systems and technologies, finance, accounting, banking, taxation and customs, public administration, management, marketing, arts, and design.
The Academy’s program orientation reflects contemporary trends in higher professional education and follows a dual-concept educational model. This model recognizes student internships not only as a fundamental element of training but also as an essential means for developing professionals capable of competing in both European and global labor markets.
BAPUSS has a clear vision regarding its role in improving the vocational education system in Serbia, strategically aligning itself with the needs of society and modern educational trends. It is a higher education institution that provides undergraduate, specialist, and master’s applied education in various scientific and professional fields, including humanities and social sciences.
One of the Academy’s major assets is its location in the heart of Belgrade, at the confluence of two rivers. The Academy’s facilities cover an area of 12,000 m² and are modernly equipped, functional, and designed to meet all student needs. The campus includes 6 lecture halls, 15 classrooms, 9 computer laboratories, and 1 workshop. Additionally, there is an air-conditioned and modern library with a reading room. More than 300 computers are permanently available for students and staff, with the latest software integrated into the educational process. BAPUSS ensures that every student can independently use computers as part of their practical training.
In addition to areas directly related to teaching, the Academy provides all other supporting facilities where students can fully dedicate themselves to studying while also feeling comfortable, ensuring that their time at the Academy is remembered as a pleasant experience.
BAPUSS consists of two departments:
Department of Arts and Design
Department of Business and Information Studies
Coordination and Advocacy
5. Arena i Swiat (Poland): Fundacja Arena i Świat was founded with the mission of promoting social development through education at the personal, local, and global levels. Guided by the principle “Let’s create a better world together,” the foundation seeks to empower individuals, build stronger communities, and foster global solidarity. Through a variety of initiatives, it works to provide educational opportunities, promote active citizenship, and increase social participation.
Over the years, Fundacja Arena i Świat has carried out many impactful projects. One of its main focus areas is youth empowerment, organizing workshops, training sessions, and international exchange programs aimed at enhancing young people’s knowledge, skills, and competences. These projects often include Erasmus+ programs, which provide young individuals with opportunities for personal development, intercultural learning, and civic engagement.
The foundation also runs community development programs in cooperation with local municipalities. These initiatives include projects promoting environmental sustainability, social participation, and cultural diversity. Arena’s projects are often targeted at disadvantaged and underrepresented groups, aiming to ensure that education and empowerment opportunities are accessible to all.
Through collaborations with other NGOs and international organizations, Arena i Świat has expanded its impact on a global scale. The foundation actively participates in global educational campaigns focused on human rights, democracy, and social justice. By developing educational tools, organizing awareness campaigns, and facilitating international cooperation, it strives to address global challenges and promote change on a wider scale.
In all its efforts, Fundacja Arena i Świat is committed to creating a better future by building an educated, inclusive, and empowered society. Its diverse activities not only support individuals in realizing their potential but also contribute to the long-term development of stronger and more resilient communities.