ACCESS! targets local actors directly involved in developing, implementing or supporting policies and practices related to young people’s access to social rights.

Participants apply as local teams composed of 2–3 representatives from different sectors or institutions within the same municipality, city or local community. Teams should ideally combine institutional and civil society perspectives and demonstrate
commitment to strengthening cooperation at local level.

Participants may include:

• Representatives of local or regional authorities responsible for youth policy, social affairs, participation, housing, education or inclusion (or any other measure covered by the Recommendation).
• Youth workers representing organisations working with youth from disadvantaged neighbourhoods
• Representatives of youth organisations including young people with lived experiences of exclusion and isolation.
• Representatives of educational, housing, health or employment support structures working with young people.
• Coordinators of local participation structures or community initiatives.
• Other local stakeholders involved in promoting young people’s social rights.
• Professionals from youth social services and community services.

Particular attention will be given to teams working with or representing young people from disadvantaged neighbourhoods or those facing exclusion and isolation.

Participant teams are expected to identify a concrete local challenge related to young people’s access to social rights and to engage throughout the course in developing cooperative and sustainable local responses.

It is mandatory that each team (minimum 2 and maximum 3 members) includes at least one representative of a local or regional authority, or its relevant substructure. Applicants from outside local authorities are encouraged to reach out to their local
authorities to form a team, and vice versa.