Study Visit to Brussels
Successfully Completed 23-25 September 2024, Brussels
From September 23 to September 25, 2023, a significant milestone was achieved in the Trade Unions – New Impetus for Youth Participation project, as a study visit took place in Brussels. Organized by the UPOZ Trade Union, the project coordinator, this visit brought together representatives from partner organizations: Youth Development Center and Nezavisnost Trade Union from Serbia, Hizmet-ISH Trade Union from Turkey, Mladi Plus Trade Union from Slovenia, and USB from Greece. These delegates had the unique opportunity to present the outcomes of their research to the Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport, and Culture at the European Commission, led by Karen Vanderweghe. The discussions also focused on planning the future operations of the Trade Union Academy, a new educational initiative aimed at young trade union members. This meeting highlighted the importance of youth sections and emphasized their increasing involvement in the work of trade unions.
A significant meeting also took place between UPOZ Trade Union President and project coordinator Trpe Deanoski, and Elisa Marzano, the European Commission officer overseeing the TUNI2023 project. The meeting reviewed the project's progress and explored the preparation for a new application. President Deanoski shared news about the upcoming final conference of the project, scheduled for November 28, 2024, in Skopje, and formally invited Marzano to participate, offering the opportunity to share the European Commission’s experience in one of the sessions.
The working part of the study visit concluded with a visit to the European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU), which represents 8 million public sector workers across Europe. Consortium representatives learned about EPSU’s operations and exchanged best practices. EPSU's commitment to gender equality was particularly highlighted, showcasing their direct actions and negotiations with employers to promote women's rights, which is reflected in their membership, where women are highly represented.
The Trade Unions – New Impetus for Youth Participation project, implemented by UPOZ Trade Union and eight European partners, focuses on increasing the engagement of young people in trade unions through education, training, and information. So far, the project has produced research that explores the reasons for youth inactivity in unions, developed a program for the first Trade Union Academy, and facilitated a study visit to Mladi Plus Trade Union in Slovenia, where valuable positive examples were shared. Additionally, an online campaign is underway to reach and engage as many young people as possible.
Ljubljana Hosted Young Trade Union Activists
Activities of the project "Trade Unions are IN - get involved, influence, act" continued with a three-day study visit to Slovenia. In the period from March 10 to 12, Ljubljana hosted almost 40 young trade union activists from North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkiye and Greece, as the official partners in the project, and Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro - informal partners, having "Mladi Plus" trade union as the host organization that represents a positive example of trade union action in fields of importance for young people.
In the premises of the organization, the hosts warmly welcomed all participants, who presented their work and activities through presentations and examples of good practice in continuation. Meetings were also held with the relevant partners of the trade union with the aim of presenting different models of cooperation. Later on, and after the initial contacts made during the Trade Union Academy, participants had the opportunity to exchange further their own experience in working with young trade union activists and wider youth population through the additional presentations of their countries. This was followed by an evaluation of implemented local actions held after the Trade union Academy. Brainstorming activities on various topics of importance, as well as a presentation on further activities within the project, completed the rest of the program.
Apart from the work part, participants had the opportunity to enjoy and get to know the rich cultural and historical content of the capital city of Slovenia, which is one of the hidden gems of Europe. The city's rich history, beautiful architecture and green surroundings left an impression on all participants and made out of this visit a special memory.
Development Center for Youth as one of the partners in this project was represented by Anastasija Nenadović, who is the project coordinator for Serbia. Anastasija did not hide her enthusiasm related to the visit, but she also pointed out that the importance of participation and action of young people in the trade union field could be seen from examples of good practice, as well as from the urging need for their more active involvement in decision-making processes.
The project "Trade Unions are IN - get involved, influence, act" is coordinated by the Union UPOZ from Skopje, and is implemented with the support of the European Commission through the ERASMUS+ program, Key Action 3 - European Youth Together.