Project call "beyond capitalism" YOUCA Action Day 2026
YOUCA is looking for three partner organisations on the theme "beyond capitalism"(*). Are you an organisation in Belgium, Europe or beyond working with young people on the broad theme "beyond capitalism"(*)? Then maybe your organisation will become one of our three partner organisations with whom we will march together towards 15,000 students, 8,000 employers and the Belgian press in 2026!
Come to an information session
YOUCA is looking for three strong partner organisations with projects that create space for and by young people to work towards a more sustainable and just world. For our YOUCA Action Day campaign in September and October 2026, we will bring together 4 young people from one Belgian, one European and one non-European partner organisation in Belgium to exchange as a group of 12 around "beyond capitalism"(*). Each partner organisation will also receive €90,000 to support their organisation, strengthen an existing project or realise a new idea.
Why?
YOUCA organises the annual YOUCA Action Day. On that day, more than 15,000 young people from Flanders and Brussels commit to spending a day working for a company, organisation, government or private individual. The wages (EUR 70) they earn on that school day go to youth projects worldwide.
With the proceeds from our annual YOUCA Action Day, we strengthen organisations in which young people worldwide have the opportunity to develop into active citizens and fight together for a sustainable and just society. For a year, YOUCA highlights one central theme, works with young people around it, supports organisations worldwide that are already doing inspiring work around it and creates encounters between young changemakers from around the world. We highlight committed young people to inspire other young people to roll up their sleeves. During the campaign, through stories from our partner organisations around the world, we highlight multiple perspectives of one theme and hope to bring a rich and nuanced story of change.
The annual theme "Beyond capitalism"(*)
For our YOUCA Action Day campaign in 2026, we are looking for three strong partner organisations - one Belgian, one European (non-Belgian) and one international (outside Europe) - working in one way or another around the broad theme of "beyond capitalism"(*). This can mean a lot, consider, for example, the following questions:
- Does your organisation stand up against the injustices brought about by the economic system and the global economy?
- Is your organisation looking for solutions for a more just society beyond capitalism?
- Are you an organisation taking action to combat exploitation - of people, planet, nature or animals?
- Do you seek an economic system that is fair?
- Or are you standing up against our devastating addiction to ever more resources?
- Are you looking for a way to live in a different way with less impact on people and planet?
- Or are you doing something completely different to challenge the economic system and the injustices that grow out of it?
(*) "Beyond capitalism" is a temporary working name. After selecting partners, we will refine this theme based on the organisations' work and expertise. We will then work out a strong slogan for the campaign that matches our identity and the identity of the selected organisations. For this campaign, YOUCA is supported in terms of content by a thematic expertise organisation in Belgium.
Practical information
YOUCA is organising an online info session with Q&A (in English, you may provide your own interpreter) with interested organisations on Wednesday 20 August at 10:00 CET and 17:00 CET. You can learn more about the call and ask questions here. Give a call to email hidden; JavaScript is required if we can expect you!
Send your candidate file, together with the latest annual report as an attachment, via email to email hidden; JavaScript is required no later than 19/10/2025 at 23:59.
- The YOUCA project committee composed of young people will make a first selection in November based on eligibility, strength of the candidate's dossier (below) and potential for collaboration.
- All organisations will receive feedback and the news whether they have been selected for the next selection round: the voting, by 15/12/2025 at the latest.
- We will organise an online and physical voting on Tuesday 23/01/2026. The one-pager and the video will be delivered to voters. These are YOUCA young people (15-25 years) and students from YOUCA schools (3rd to 7th secondary, all fields of study), YOUCA volunteers and participants in past years' exchanges.
- By 31 January at the latest, you will know if your organisation is there!
Questions and/or comments?
If you have any questions, please contact Anke Steenwegen: email hidden; JavaScript is required or 0472 27 68 90 . We would also like to hear your feedback on this project call: can you use this as an organisation? Feel free to let us know.
