EuroPeers

Duration (years active)

21 (Since 2005)

Description

EuroPeers international network connects young people across Europe, who have been active with the EU program Erasmus+ Youth or the European Solidarity Corps and want to tell their peers about their experiences with the EU youth programmes in order to motivate other young people to take advantage of the various opportunities that are open to them, by promoting mobility, non-formal education, and European values through various activities.

The EuroPeers network is active in Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Belgium, Romania, Italy, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, France, Spain and Poland.

Why is it important that Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps programmes promote participation in democratic life?

EuroPeers is more than just a project, it’s a living ecosystem of changed lives: experiences, impact, friendship, networking, sharing, engagement, inclusion, leadership, developing skills and community building.

• young people who want to give back to their peers and community.
• National Agencies and SNACs who believe in youth leadership. Developing skills for youth leadership
• It’s a shared European spirit that says: your story can change someone’s life – from experience to impact.

How is your LTA/SNAC supporting this?

1. Established international coordination structure with international coordination team at the helm
2. We’re strengthening communications by: webiste www.europeers.org and our social media channels as a home for stories, tools, and visibility.
3. We’re supporting countries that are restarting or building their networks.
4. And we’re preparing international meetings that focus on cooperation, innovation, and shared purpose.

Strategic meeting of NA’s involved to start EuroPeers international network (2014),
First annual meeting of all national networks held (2015),
Network website was launched (2022). EuroPeers Network Guide (2025),
Currently, bi-monthly online SNAC meetings of national coordinators and 2 contact meetings per year for network coordinators. Once per year annual network meeting of EuroPeers across Europe, plus regular national and international training courses held to train new EuroPeers.

To improve SoMe communications, paid social media content creator for international network. EuroPeers topical working groups (3) are created to impove internationalisation and comms pan-network: Socials, Anniversaries (30 years of European volunteering in 2026 and Erasmus+ 40 in 2027) (2026). New networks looking to join the network – Croatia (2026)

What are some results of your LTA/SNAC you want to share Participation Pool readers?

1. Webinar (fully recorded) – EuroPeers at 20: Celebrating the Journey, Imagining the Future – EuroPeers (YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=zQ6JSN_qk3Z66D1f&v=tlilST9txEU&feature=youtu.be)
   On 3 March 2026, the webinar EuroPeers at 20: Celebrating the Journey, Imagining the Future brought together EuroPeers, National Agency representatives, coordinators, and other colleagues connected to European youth programmes. The event was created as a moment to look back on the 20-year journey of the EuroPeers network, reflect on its meaning for young people and National Agencies, and open up a shared conversation about where the network could go next.
2. Special Publication on European active youth engagement by „Confrontations Europe“ Think Tank: Read in English: EuroPeers featured in Special report on youth engagement in Europe – EuroPeers
   Think Tank “Confrontations Europe” has published a special edition on active youth engagement in Europe through youth programs to promote mobility, participation and a sense of belonging. Inside, a special feature by EuroPeers „From a German pilot to a European alumni movement: how EuroPeers turns experience into engagement“ provides a strong case study of active engagement on the local level: with social, environmental and intergenerational initiatives, to transform mobility into tangible engagement to strenghten social cohesion and innovate democratically.

What would you tell to organisations who want to start working with this topic?

Through their numerous events, EuroPeers contribute to the visibility of the Erasmus+ Youth programme, the European Solidarity Corps and other EU mobility programmes. A recent study (2026) of the German EuroPeers network, carried out by the German NA, found that there was a considerable ripple effect of the network – 27% of the respondents said that their local peer-to-peer actions inspired someone to participate in the Erasmus+ or ESC project. 30% of the respondents said that the experience directly influenced their choice of career.

How can we find out more about your LTA/SNAC?

Website: Home – EuroPeers
Social Media links: Facebook Instagram

Anything else you want to share?

A study carried out on behalf of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Education and Culture describes the EuroPeers project as a best practice example. The passing on of personal experiences, the promotion of the non-formal education program and the motivation to deal with the EU in general are rated as very successful.

National Agencies involved:

Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Belgium (DE), Romania, Italy, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, France, Spain and Poland

Sectors covered:

• Non-formal Education & Training: Organizing workshops, school presentations, and seminars on European topics.
• Youth Mobility & Exchange: Providing information about Erasmus+ Youth and the European Solidarity Corps, motivating peers to take part in mobility programmes.
• Civic Participation & Active Citizenship: Encouraging youth to participate in democratic life and European society.
• Cultural & Social Exchange: Hosting cultural evenings, street actions, exhibitions, and social media campaigns to share their personal experiences abroad.
• Information & Counseling: Sharing information about various European mobility schemes in schools, youth welfare offices, and cultural centers