From 1–5 June 2026, Youth Power Germany had the privilege of participating in the Seminar for Accredited Organisations in Malmö, Sweden. Organised with the support of the Swedish Agency for Youth and Civil Society (MUCF) and the Estonian Education and Youth Board (Harno), the seminar brought together accredited Erasmus+ organisations from across Europe to exchange experiences, strengthen cooperation, and reflect on the future of quality youth work.
As an organisation dedicated to creating meaningful learning opportunities for young people and youth workers, Youth Power Germany strongly believes in the importance of spaces where organisations can come together to learn from one another. While accreditation provides a framework for long-term development and quality assurance, it is through dialogue, cooperation, and mutual learning that organisations continue to grow and improve.
Throughout the seminar, participants explored a wide range of topics related to accreditation and project implementation, including participant engagement, activity management, impact assessment, quality assurance, budget management, reporting, networking, and partnership development. These discussions offered valuable insights into the different approaches used by accredited organisations across Europe and highlighted the diversity of contexts in which youth work takes place.
One of the most enriching aspects of the seminar was the opportunity to exchange experiences with organisations working with different target groups and communities. Despite our diverse realities, we share a common goal: creating better opportunities for young people and ensuring that Erasmus+ continues to have a meaningful impact on their lives. Listening to the experiences of colleagues from different countries provided inspiration, fresh perspectives, and practical ideas that can strengthen our own work.
The seminar also encouraged reflection on impact measurement and quality management. Through these discussions, we were pleased to discover that several practices already implemented by Youth Power Germany are considered valuable examples within the sector. In particular, our six-month follow-up surveys, which allow us to assess the medium-term impact of Youth Exchanges and Training Courses, generated positive discussions about how organisations can better understand and demonstrate the long-term value of their activities.
Another particularly interesting topic was the growing use of Artificial Intelligence in project management and administration. While digital tools can undoubtedly improve efficiency and support organisational processes, the discussions also highlighted the importance of maintaining strong quality control systems and human oversight. At Youth Power Germany, we believe that technology should support quality youth work, not replace the personal guidance, attention, and participant-centred approach that remain essential to successful Erasmus+ projects.
The seminar also provided an opportunity to share some of the systems that have strengthened our own work over recent years. For example, having a dedicated Logistics Manager for accreditation projects has significantly improved the quality and efficiency of our activities before, during, and after implementation.
Exchanging these experiences with other organisations reinforced our belief that investing in participant support and organisational quality ultimately leads to better outcomes for everyone involved.
Beyond the formal programme, the seminar demonstrated the true value of European cooperation. New partnerships were explored, future collaborations discussed, and connections established that will continue long after the event itself. These moments of networking and informal exchange are often where some of the most valuable learning takes place, creating opportunities for organisations to support one another, share resources, and develop innovative ideas together.
For Youth Power Germany, this experience served as a reminder that continuous learning is one of the foundations of quality youth work. No organisation has all the answers, and the willingness to remain open to new perspectives is essential for growth. Events such as this allow organisations not only to improve their own practices but also to contribute to a stronger and more connected European youth sector.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Swedish Agency for Youth and Civil Society (MUCF), the Estonian Education and Youth Board (Harno), the facilitators, and all participating organisations for making this seminar such a valuable and inspiring experience. Their dedication to creating spaces for learning, reflection, and cooperation demonstrates the importance of investing not only in projects themselves but also in the people and organisations that make those projects possible.
We are deeply thankful for the invitation and proud to have contributed our own experiences while learning from others. Seminars like this play a crucial role in maintaining and improving quality standards, fostering innovation, building partnerships, and creating synergies between organisations working across Europe.
Youth Power Germany remains fully committed to cooperation, mutual learning, and continuous improvement. We believe that by sharing knowledge, discussing challenges openly, and learning from one another, we can continue creating better opportunities for young people and strengthening the impact of Erasmus+ across Europe.
We look forward to future opportunities to work alongside inspiring organisations, develop new partnerships, and continue building a stronger, more connected, and more innovative youth sector together.
