Wednesday 31 May 2023

 

The British Council today launched their new EU/UK Stronger Together programme at this year’s Urdd Eisteddfod festival in Llandovery, Carmarthenshire.

This two-year project will offer young people aged 15–30 from Wales and across Europe opportunities to connect, cooperate, influence and implement change together on topics of common interest.

The programme aims to facilitate close and sustainable relationships between young people in the UK and the EU for Europe’s collective benefit, working with young people across schools and youth organisations as well as with young activists and journalists.

As part of the programme, young leaders from the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales and Urdd Gobaith Cymru, will join a UK youth delegation at the European Youth Event in Strasbourg this June, where they will discuss EU relations and Europe's future.

Meanwhile, secondary schools in Wales will have a chance to partner with schools across Europe on social action projects; and young journalists and activists will be invited to join workshops, training opportunities and networking events.

The Stronger Together programme is delivered by the British Council in co-operation with the European Movement International and co-funded by the European Union.

Speaking about the launch of the programme, Ruth Cocks, Director, British Council Wales said: “We are thrilled to launch the Stronger Together programme at the prestigious Urdd Eisteddfod festival today, as it embodies the spirit of cultural exchange and celebration of diversity. 

“Through this programme, we are providing opportunities for connection, cooperation, and collaboration, empowering the next generation to influence and implement positive change together. This initiative provides invaluable opportunities for young people in Wales and across Europe, and together, we can create a stronger and more inclusive future for all."

Young people from Wales can get involved in various ways including:

  • School programmes: Schools from across the UK and the EU will come together to highlight the role of young people aged 15–18 as changemakers, active global citizens and leaders at a local, national and European level. Schools will have the opportunity to work together on social action campaign projects, as well as through online events, workshops and competitions to facilitate partnership building.
  •  Youth organisations: Youth leaders and representatives of youth organisations aged 18–30 will come together from across the UK and EU. This will include through focus groups, youth policy and networking events and the creation of a network of youth organisations.
  •   Young activists: Young activists aged 18–30 from across the UK and EU will work together through community workshops, joint events and training so as to promote shared fundamental values and give prominence to the role of youth in bringing about positive change, social cohesion and peace.
  •  Young journalists: Young journalists from across the UK and Europe will be provided with training opportunities and networking opportunities. This will include workshops in summer 2023, travel grants to major youth events, and a competition for young journalists and content creators. 

Find out more and register your interest in being part of the EU/UK Stronger Together programme by visiting: https://www.britishcouncil.be/programmes/education/stronger-together

The EU/UK Stronger Together programme continues the British Council’s work, building connection, understanding and trust between people in the UK and overseas through arts, education and English language teaching. To find out more about their work in Wales visit https://wales.britishcouncil.org/en or follow on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

Notes to Editor

For media enquiries, please contact:

Claire McAuley, British Council: +44 (0)7542268752 E: Claire.McAuley@britishcouncil.org

About the British Council

The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. We do this through our work in arts and culture, education and the English language. We work with people in over 200 countries and territories and are on the ground in more than 100 countries. In 2021-22 we reached 650 million people.