Description of organisation

European Educational Exchanges – Youth for Understanding aisbl (EEE-YFU) is the umbrella organisation of European YFU organisations and aims at implementing the European dimension of YFU’s activities. The mission of YFU is to advance intercultural understanding, life-long learning, global competencies, mutual respect, and social responsibility through transformational educational exchanges for generations of youth, families, and communities, supported by dedicated volunteers and staff. National YFU organisations (who operate by non-for-profit principles) primarily organise long-term host-family-based secondary school individual youth exchanges between 50 countries around the world for teenagers between the age of 15 and 18. EEE-YFU works to support its European member organisations to grow as quality and sustainable organisations.

Through educational activities, training courses, advocacy and networking, EEE-YFU supports member organisations to develop stronger volunteer networks and leadership, have a greater influence on policy, increase the visibility and recognition of intercultural education, and be relevant and innovative in response to an evolving European society.

EEE-YFU’s activities range from the yearly Youth Empowerment Seminar (YES) (over 100,000 young people have attended this event since its creation) to trainings for youth workers on topics as wide ranging as youth organisation governance, intercultural learning & non-formal education, communication, leadership, digital marketing, advocacy, training for trainers and volunteer development. Each year, over 100 youth workers across Europe receive trainings through EEE-YFU’s activities.