Fredskorpset Youth Programme is one of three programme lines in Fredskorpset, in which young people aged 18-25 from different parts of the world meet and share activities and work experience. These encounters promote commitment among young people and offer an inspirational means of reciprocal learning. Fredskorpset Youth Programme aims to build on this commitment and provide opportunities for new involvement and alternative approaches.
Partnership for development
Fredskorpset Youth Programme is based on exchange and partnership between organisations and institutions in the South and in Norway. It is the partners who set the goals for the exchange and assume responsibility for planning and implementation of the project. The partners recruit, send out and receive the participants. Fredskorpset assists in development of the projects, quality controls and funds activities in whole or in part. Fredskorpset invites the partners to participate actively in Fredskorpset’s international network.
Promoting greater awareness and commitment
For the participant, an exchange project subsidised by Fredskorpset Youth Programme will take place within the space of a year and include a posting abroad of at least 3 months. Fredskorpset Youth Programme is a group programme, meaning that young people attend a preparatory course and travel to their posting in large or small groups. Within 2 months of their return home, the participants carry out follow-up activities, the aim of which is to promote greater awareness of, and commitment to, North-South issues in Norway.
Frequently asked questions about Fredskorpset Youth Programme
What criteria apply to a Fredskorpset project?
All exchange projects under Fredskorpset must:
* Involve partners in countries in the South on the DAC list, from which priority will be given to projects in the least developed countries (LDCs) and Norway’s primary development partners.
* Be developed by partnerships in Norway and in the South such that all parties participate in the planning and implementation.
* Be characterised by long-term commitment.
* Be based on reciprocity, in that all partners define their goals for the project.
* Strengthen and channel commitment among young people in the North and South.
* Contain the following phases: project and partnership development, recruitment, preparation, posting abroad and follow-up activities for participants.
* Adopt a workplace acceptable for use by partners both in the South and in Norway.
* A Fredskorpset Youth project will, moreover, embody certain special characteristics:
* The participants are aged 18-25.
* The posting of North participants in the South may be as short as 3 months, where the main focus of the stay is on personal learning and personal development.
* The youngest age groups in Norway will not necessarily bring special technical/organisational skills to the South.
* The partners are expected to attach great importance to coaching/preparation for a posting abroad.
* The follow-up activities after the posting abroad are integral to the project and must be given high priority.
* The total duration of the project: preparation, posting abroad and follow-up activities will take place within the space of 1 year.
* All the partners will be linked in a network in which they are expected to participate actively and share their experiences.
What does the reciprocity principle mean?
* That the aim is to achieve a balance in the number of participants from South and North, although Fredskorpset will be flexible on this point.
* That all partners are equal in the planning process.
* That all partners must be able to identify their own anticipated benefit from the exchange.
* That all partners must be able to offer participants from the sending partner a place within their own organisation, or with a third party.
* That the participants become part of a team in the partner organisation, and work, as far as possible, on an equal footing with other young people with a similar vocational background or interest. The role of the participants must be characterised by their inclusion in a working partnership.
* That, through their attitudes, the participants do not convey a sense that they represent ‘superior’ knowledge and experience, since this would create a distance between participants and the host partner.
* That the participants are expected to come with an open mind and with respect for local culture and customs.
How do we start a Fredskorpset project?
Any organisation wishing to undertake an exchange project is first required to carry out a feasibility study (with the exception of projects already operating within an established partnership) in order to determine whether there is a basis for partnership and exchange. An application may be made to Fredskorpset for funds for the feasibility study. Please contact the Manager for Fredskorpset Youth Programme for more information.
When is the application deadline for a feasibility study?
In principle, there is no deadline, since Fredskorpset considers applications on an ongoing basis. Fredskorpset may, however, collect a number of applications before any individual assessments are made. Please contact the Manager for Fredskorpset Youth Programme for more information. Applications for feasibility studies may be granted, rejected, or subject to further assessment whereby the applicant receives a reply within the following six months.
Frequently asked questions for potential participants
How can I become a participant?
Fredskorpset Youth Programme does not post participants itself, but provides funds for Norwegian organisations, institutions and companies that do so. To participate in a Fredskorpset project, you need to contact one or more of Fredskorpset’s partner organisations (see separate list of partners with open projects). They will provide you with information about the project, application deadlines, any participation fee, etc.
What are the eligibility requirements for participation in a Fredskorpset project?
Fredskorpset’s sole requirement for participation in a Fredskorpset Youth Programme project is that applicants must be aged 18-25. Some of the partners may, however, have special requirements.
Are there any special application deadlines for participation in a Fredskorpset project?
Most of the projects start up in August/September and have application deadlines some time between February and May. Some projects also start up at other times of year. Please check with the partner(s) you are interested in.
What does it cost to participate?
Participants get their expenses covered for proficiency courses, travel, accommodation and follow-up activities. Participants will need to provide their own spending money. Participants do not receive any pay under the Fredskorpset Youth Programme. A number of partners also require participants to pay a fee towards the cost of their participation.