EDUCATIONAL VISITS AND EXCHANGES
THE BRITISH COUNCIL
The Exchanges Department of the British Council can fund certain types of youth exchange between Britain and other countries in Western Europe, Eastern Europe and the U.S.A.
The British Council also administers (through the Overseas Education Appointments Department) the Council of Europe Social Fellowship scheme, which is concerned with short study trips abroad by social workers and administrators, and a similar scheme for legal study and research.
The British Council also sponsors the Youth Exchange Centre (see below).
British Council Educational Information Service, 10 Spring Gardens, London, SW1A 2BN.
Telephone: 0171 389 4383.
CENTRAL BUREAU FOR EDUCATIONAL VISITS AND EXCHANGES
The Central Bureau is responsible for providing information and advice about educational visits and exchanges. It is not primarily a grant-making
body but it does run a number of programmes. It is the UK National Agency for parts of the EU's Socrates programme. There are also programmes for school pupils, further and higher education students,
teachers, lecturers and those in vocational education.
It produces leaflets and books including A Year Between, Volunteer Work and Working Holidays.
In England and Wales contact:
10 Spring Gardens, London SW1A 2BN.
Telephone: 0171 389 4004 (initial enquiry point).
COMMONWEALTH YOUTH EXCHANGE COUNCIL(CYEC)
This is a voluntary body responsible for giving information, advice, training and government money to groups of young people aged 16-25 involved in two-way exchanges with Commonwealth countries.
Priority is given to reciprocal exchanges with Commonwealth countries in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean. Applications for a grant must be in at least nine months before the visit.
CYEC awards a small number of travel bursaries each year to individual youth exchange organisers but no money is available for individual study visits or research projects.
For further information contact:
Commonwealth House, 7 Lion Yard, Tremadoc Road, Clapham, London, SW4 7NF.
Telephone: 0171 489 6151.
YOUTH EXCHANGE CENTRE(YEC)
The Centre was established in 1985 to promote youth exchanges between the UK and all other countries. Special emphasis is placed on providing information for people setting up exchange projects, and
on providing training programmes and workshops. Grants can be made for Advance Planning Visits. Projects should have a minimum duration of 7 days, participants must be aged 15-25 and be members of an
organisation or association.
The Youth Exchange Centre currently operates "Youth For Europe" (YFE). It is now in its third phase which will end in 2000. A new programme will replace it.
YFE is a scheme to encourage exchange visits of young (15- 25) people throughout the European Union. There are four parts to the scheme :
1. Youth exchanges
Grants available to youth groups undertaking bi-, tri- or multi-lateral exchanges within the European Union and/or Iceland and Norway. They should last from 6-21 days and the groups should have 16-60
participants, balanced between each country. Priority to people who have not had an opportunity to participate in exchange projects and to those from a disadvantaged background. Grants available for
up to 50% of hosting or travel costs. Higher awards may be available to groups involving people with special needs.
2. Voluntary Service
Young people have the opportunity to undertake short periods of voluntary service in another country. Applications should be made by groups who are hosting volunteers. Grants will not usually exceed
50% of total project costs and will not usually be more than 10,000 ecu.
3. Support for youth workers
There are a number of activities to support youth workers including:
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