European Commission has just announced interesting call for proposals that focuses on the issue that is also critical in Baltic Sea Region: youth unemployment.

The novel aspect – at least for three Baltic countries – is the focus on legal form of cooperative. The call for proposals requires the solutions to enable young people to create and work in co-operatives. Does this call promote social innovation… or sets too strict limits for creativity of social entrepreneurs who might want to choose another ways to organize their work to empower the same target group? The answer is yours to debate and reflect upon.

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The overall objective of this call aims at establishing best practices in tackling youth unemployment by helping young people create and work in co-operatives and at creating dedicated programmes, schemes and training modules for young people to set up and manage co-operative enterprises.

Eligible applicants
Applicants must be established in one of the 28 EU countries (EU Member states).

Budget and project duration
The total budget earmarked for the co-financing of projects is estimated at €450.000.
The maximum duration of projects is 12 months.
Maximum EU financing rate of eligible costs: The contribution will be up to 70% of the total cost of the action.

The deadline: 30 June 2016 at 17.00.

Further information about the call can be found on this link.