The Eurodesk Network

Eurodesk was first established in 1990. Since then, the Eurodesk services delivered by national partners have developed and become well established. Eurodesk now has a status and stability within the "Youth in Action" Programme of the European Union. The political context of Eurodesk at European level is characterised by the actions following the White Paper, the Common Objectives, the "Youth in Action" Programme and other information related political initiatives. Eurodesk is functioning well as a European network and there are also active Eurodesk national networks in many participating countries. However, there are still new countries to join the network and countries, which restart their Eurodesk activities after changes at national level. Also, there are staff changes, which occur at national level from time to time and additions and changes to Eurodesk Relays at local and regional levels. These situations continue to give rise to a range of training needs within the Network. Although Eurodesk has delivered training within the Network, for many years, initially concentrating on technical training, and modules relating to delivering services, it is now important to have a more comprehensive package, which covers all the aspects of operating as a Eurodesk partner. Eurodesk national partners are the key to the successful delivery of Eurodesk services and, therefore, this document is based around the roles and responsibilities of the Eurodesk national partner. It includes the totality of Eurodesk activity, also covering the activities of the Eurodesk Relays.

Eurodesk services

Eurodesk is a service providing European information for young people ... for example, on volunteering or exchange opportunities, how to work or study abroad, how to find European funding and contacts. In the context of Eurodesk's daily activities, ‘European information' covers funding information for these European activities for young people together with the relevant contacts and other resources (documentation, videos, training resources, etc).

The Eurodesk Network offers information through different channels and at different levels ... from face-to-face provision through local youth information centres to highly developed information tools online. There are Eurodesk national coordinators, networks of local information providers and co-operation partners, who act as contact points to the European Eurodesk Network and access points for relevant European information.

Services include:

• Free enquiry answering and advice on European questions;
• Fast access to European information online;
• Information and news on the European Youth Portal;
• Specially developed information tools and support for professionals working

with young people and European information;

• Online Discussion Forum for professional workers;
• Training courses for those who are working with young people and information;
• Regular publications featuring European information for young people;
• Promotion of European information.