Project call "life behind conflict" YOUCA Action Day 2027
YOUCA is looking for three partner organisations on the theme "life behind conflict"(*). Are you an organisation in Belgium, Europe or beyond that works with young people on the broad theme of "life behind conflict"(*)? Then maybe your organisation will become one of our three partner organisations with whom we will travel together to 15,000 students, 8,000 employers and the Belgian press in 2027!
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 2027, 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 "life behind the conflict"(*). Each partner organisation will also receive €100,000 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 one year, YOUCA highlights one central theme, works with young people around this theme, supports organisations worldwide that are already doing inspiring work around it and creates encounters between young changemakers from all over 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 on one theme and hope to bring a rich and nuanced story of change.
The annual theme "life behind conflict"(*)
For our YOUCA Action Day campaign in 2027, 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 "life behind conflict"(*). This can mean a lot, consider, for example, the following questions:
- Where in the world are there conflicts/wars? What conflicts do we not know about?
- What is it like to grow up in conflict as a young person?
- What causes conflicts and how do we, from Belgium, contribute to this?
- Are there safe and legal ways to flee?
- What is the short- and long-term impact of conflict?
- Are you welcome elsewhere if you are looking for safety?
- Can you keep your identity in your new place of residence?
- Which of your rights are violated during and after conflict, and during your flight?
- What causes violence and conflict?
- How do you rebuild your life after conflict?
(*) "Living beyond conflict" 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.
Practical information
YOUCA is organising two online info sessions with Q&A (in English, you may provide your own interpreter) with interested organisations on Wednesday 19 August at 9:30 CET and 16:00 CET. You can find out more about the call and ask questions here. Please let email hidden; JavaScript is required know if we can expect you!
Send your candidate file, together with the latest annual report as an attachment, via e-mail to email hidden; JavaScript is required no later than 18/10/2026 at 23:59.
Selection process
Preselection:
- The YOUCA project committee composed of young people will do a first selection in November based on eligibility, strength of the candidate's dossier (below) and potential for collaboration.
- All organisations receive feedback and the news whether they have been selected for the next round of selection: the voting, by 15/12/2026 at the latest.
Final selection:
- We will organise an online and physical voting on Wednesday 03/02/2027. 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 8 February at the latest, you will know if your organisation will be 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.
