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Because we receive many inquiries on the same topics. They are often about our own work and usually the answer is within this internet site, or we are not really the best qualified to answer the question and you will find the information you need elsewhere on the internet or a lot closer to home than you think. In both cases, we aim to point you in the right direction so you find the answer to your questions.
You will find the most frequently asked questions below, grouped under the following headings:
Within the answers we include links or contact details for the following organisations or specialised information services:
If you know of any other useful sources of information which we could include in this section, please send us an e-mail
We have some information on young people in a number of European countries and may be able to send a few recent articles from newspapers and magazines. However, you could begin by checking a recent encyclopedia for general facts and information about the country you are interested in. You could also try contacting your local city or university library to see if they have newspapers like The European which often have articles about young people in various European countries.
If you are looking for serious research on young people you could take a look at the research section of the Youth Directorate's Internet site where there are links to research papers and bibliographies of youth research.
You might also try looking at the INJEP site (Institut National de la Jeunesse et de l'Education Populaire). Here you will find links to the Institute's library, lists of bibliographies on various themes and information on the documentation packs and press cuttings the library can provide. There is also a link to their magazine and to their research section.
Sorry we are not able to find you a pen pal; try consulting the website of an online pen pal service, for example: Penpal.net
The Council of Europe's Directorate of Education, Culture and Sport has set up a network for school links and exchanges. Information is available on the Directorate of Education, Culture and Sport internet site
The European Federation for Intercultural Learning (EFIL) is "an umbrella organisation of AFS Organisations in Europe, who organise intercultural stays for young people in a world-wide network."
In the UK, the British Council’s Central Bureau for International Education and Training can provide information and advice.
The Eurodesk network can also help in finding a possible exchange partner.
Living/working/studying abroad
The Council of Europe and Unesco have set up the ENIC network (European Network of National Information Centres on academic recognition and mobility) so you may find that there is one of these specialised information offices in your own country.
ENIC offices generally provide information on:
The Eurodesk network can also provide information about possibilities for young people in other European countries.
Try contacting your local youth information office or employment service - don’t send us your CV!
The following books give contact addresses for working and living abroad:
If you are looking for a work placement with a company rather than a summer job, you could ask your local library if they can let you see a business directory such as Kompass which gives information about companies throughout Europe. Besides, the Internet is also a rich source of information on vacancies abroad.
The European Youth Foundation gives funding in very specific cases only; it can support projects involving young people from several different European countries or projects set up by international youth organisations. It does not finance exchanges or studies abroad. The criteria for obtaining funds from the European Youth Foundation are explained in How to apply for a grant from the European Youth Foundation.
Check the criteria for the European Youth Foundation. If you find that your project does not qualify, we can provide you with a bibliography on sources of information on funding and the addresses of a number of foundations and funding organisations (including internet sites) prepared with youth organisations in mind.
The Council of Europe does not provide funding for individual students but in co-operation with Unesco it has set up a network of information centres on academic recognition and mobility - the ENIC network - try contacting your nearest office for advice. Check also some of the relevant websites, e.g. Funders online.
To find out if you are eligible to take part, see the sections of our internet site on training courses. The application forms are also available on the site.
All of the courses organised by the Youth Directorate are aimed at young people already active in youth work or youth organisations. Their application must be supported by their organisation or national youth council.
There are many language schools in Europe providing language courses which are available to all young people. Information about language courses is available in a publication called Study Abroad available from the Central Bureau for International Education and Training.
The Council of Europe has produced a whole series of booklets on the secondary education systems in its Member States. These are listed in the Council of Europe's publications catalogue. Search using the keyword "Education".
More information about the Council's work in European education can be found on the internet site of the Directorate of Youth and Sport. The Council of Europe also has a specialised documentation centre on education. Contact the: Documentation Centre for Education in Europe, Council of Europe, F - 67075 Strasbourg Cedex, France
You might also visit your local university or city library. They may have more information than you think. Try contacting the ENIC office in your country (see above for details).
The Council of Europe has 40 Member States and is quite distinct from the European Union. More information about the Council and its activities is to be found on its internet site.
The Council of Europe's information point (Point I) can answer general enquiries about the organisation's work and re-direct enquiries to a number of specialised documentation centres. There are also a number of documentation centres in the countries of central and eastern Europe. More details of all of these services are on the Council's internet site.
The Euro is being introduced by the European Union, not by the Council of Europe.
We do not have any detailed information about the Euro or about the European Union. The latter has its own internet site (http://europa.eu.int) and its own network of information centres in its member states.
These programmes are all run by the European Union. The European Commission's DG XXII's internet site has further information.
This is the representative body of the European Union which meets once a month in Strasbourg. It has its own internet site: http://www.europarl.eu.int/home/default_en.htm
