🇸🇪 Erasmus+ Training Course in Sweden 🌍 A Forum on Inclusive Community Based Youth Work 🤝

Description

"The Empower Youth Forum" brings together youth workers from across Europe to exchange best practices, explore the Swedish context of youth work, and strengthen inclusive engagement through innovation, collaboration, and impact.

About the Forum

"The Empower Youth Forum" is a training activity designed for youth workers, educators, and professionals active in the field of non-formal learning and youth work. Hosted in the Swedish cities of Sandviken and Gavle, the forum brings together 25 participants from across Europe to explore, exchange, and strengthen inclusive and community-based approaches to youth engagement.

This activity is part of an Erasmus+ accredited mobility of youth workers and aims to support the professional development of those working with young people through non-formal education.

Participants will take part in a dynamic and practice-oriented programme featuring workshops, networking sessions, study visits, and collaborative reflections. By engaging with the Swedish youth work landscape, participarits will gain insight into how structured support systems and value-driven methods can help young people thrive.

“The EmpowerYouth Forum 3.0” builds on the success of the first two forums, “The EmpowerYouth Forum” and “The EmpowerYouth Forum 2.0,” which took place on 10-14 November 2025 and 23-27 March 2026, respectively. The first and second editions of the forum received overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants, who highlighted the quality of the programme, the inspiring learning environment, and the strong opportunities for networking and professional growth. More information and participant comments from the first forum can be found in the attached info pack, available for download on this page.

Aims of the Forum

"The Empower Youth Forum" aims to:

- Foster networking and collaboration between youth workers and organisations from different European contexts

- Promote professional development through practical tools and non-formal learning approaches

- Share good practices in inclusive and sustainable youth engagement

- Strengthen the community-based impact of youth work at the local level

- Contribute to the development of youth work across Europe through cooperation and shared learning

Working Methods

The programme is based on non-formal education principles and includes:

- Interactive workshops on inclusion, leadership, and civic participation

- Thematic sessions inspired by the Rapatac concept of "Vägen till 100%" ("The Road to 100%")

- Study visits to local institutions, such as universities and innovation hubs

- Peer learning through World Café sessions, networking and group reflection

- Co-creation of a Forum Resolution and participation in a YouthPass certification process

The language of the forum is English.

Who Should Apply

This training is targeted at:

- Youth workers and trainers active in non-formal learning

- Staff and volunteers of youth organisations, activity centres, and NGOs

- Professionals working directly with young people

- Those interested in strengthening their competence in inclusive, community-based, and sustainable youth work

Applicants should have experience in youth work and be interested in transnational cooperation and developing long-term strategies to improve youth participation in their local contexts.

Practical Information

- Arrival day: 15 November 2026

- Activity days: 16-20 November 2026

- Departure day: 21 November 2026

More detailed information, including the full daily schedule of the forum, can be found in the attached info pack, available for download on this page.

How to Apply

If you are interested in attending the Empower Youth Forum, please submit your application by 2 October 2026 using the link on the listing page.

We look forward to welcoming you!

Further Information

To learn more about the organiser, Insamlingsstiftelsen Rapatac, please visit the website and social media:

- Website: https://rapatac.se/

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rapatacsandviken/

- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rapatacsandviken/

- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw23j9MJchQjHg2YV15ktkg

For any questions, feel free to contact the organising team at maria@rapatac.se

Activity details

Activity type

Conference – Symposium - Forum

Activity dates

16-20 November 2026

Location

Sandviken, Gävle, Sweden

Application deadline

Application deadline (24h UTC): 2 October 2026

Selection date

16 October 2026

Participants

25

Recommended for

Youth workers, Youth leaders, Youth project managers

Working language

English

Organiser

Costs

Participation fee

There is no participation fee for this training activity.

Accommodation and food

Housing and breakfast have been arranged for you within walking distance of the training venue. You will check in on Sunday evening, 15 November, and stay in a shared, gender-based room with 1-4 other forum participants. Bed linen and towels will be provided. Your accommodation is: Norrgården i Sandviken (Linggatan 11, Sandviken) If you have any special requests regarding your room or roommate, please contact maria@rapatac.se. While we cannot guarantee that all requests can be met, we will do our best to take them into consideration.

Travel reimbursement

Travel costs are covered based on the distance between the participant's place of origin and the activity venue, according to the Erasmus+ distance band calculator. Distance - Amount (standard travel) - Amount (green travel) 10–99 km - €28 - €56 100–499 km - €211 - €285 500–1,999 km - €309 - €417 2,000–2,999 km - €395 - €535 3,000–3,999 km - €580 - €785 4,000–7,999 km - €1,188 - €1,188 8,000 km or more - €1,735 - €1,735 * Green travel refers to the use of low-emission means of transport such as bus, train, or carpooling for the majority of the journey, instead of flying. Participants who choose green travel may be eligible for the higher reimbursement rate indicated in the table above.

Looking for participants from

34 countries can apply. The activity takes place in Sandviken, Gävle, Sweden.