About Active Youths


Association of Active Youths of Florina (OENEF) is a Non-Governmental Organisation that was founded in 2010, in Florina, Western Macedonia, Greece and it is active at local, regional, national and international level. OENEF is an active organisation co-operating with various youth organisations from all over the world. OENEF  has qualified, well-educated youth workers (university degree), who have gained experience through their voluntary work and also by being members of other international youth organisations. OENEF is Certified by ISO 9001:2015 for the quality of implementing educational activities and conferences. 

 

Youth workers and Youth experts involved in the projects fulfil the conditions and have all skills and key competences necessary. They have a strong cultural awareness and connection with Europe and are able to express their ideas through various forms and media. They are very skilled in communicating both in their mother tongue as well as in foreign languages (English, Spanish, Italian). 

 

The main goal of Active Youths is to promote and support active youth participation in society and also to encourage and empower youth’s contribution on issues of social, cultural and environmental interest. Active Youths supports dialogue, democracy and citizens’ cooperation. Furthermore Active Youths aims are combating racism and xenophobia, by giving priority to the values emanating from the principles of the European Union. 

Our working groups consist of young scientists who contribute to the formulation of proposals in relation to European Programmes and with detailed suggestions for issues of immediate economic, environmental, business and social interest. Active Youths have built a significant experience in the field of youth work, youth and social entrepreneurship, social economy and in addition our organisation empowers young people and other vulnerable groups of population.

 

Furthermore, since 2018 OENEF is the hosting organisation of the Europe Direct of Western Macedonia. Its role is to inform all citizens with a focus on young people, about developments regarding the European Union, its policies, and its educational programmes, that take place all over Europe and all the advantages and opportunities that people can gain through these programmes. More specifically the role of Europe Direct of Western Macedonia is described as following:

●  It informs all citizens of the Region of Western Macedonia about the policies of the EU, its institutions and the help that can be offered through community programmes and events.

●  It organises public discussions and workshops aiming at raising awareness and educating all groups of population and especially pupils - students, young entrepreneurs, unemployed people and farmers of the Periphery of Western Macedonia.

●  It facilitates the exchange of information and experiences between areas of the EU.

●  It gives information to the European Commission about the dynamics of the Region of Western Macedonia.

 

Key Directions and Objectives of ED:

●  Provides immediate and valid information to all citizens about the European Union, its policies, programmes and events.

●  It supplies and distributes printed material leaflets, informative copies and shows us the laws about the European Union, to every citizen for free.

●  Disseminates community information and experiences between areas of the EU.

●  Organises events, in cooperation with bodies and entities, about all European policies of the EU that promote employment, education and foster culture too.

●  Promotes active participation of rural people in building their European identity and getting to know the European Idea. 

 

Active Youths is an Organisation who is:  

  • Hosting the Europe Direct of Western Macedonia, Greece (since 01/01/2018)
  • Registered organisation in the General Registration Platform of Social and Solidarity Economy in Greece (Reg. Number 000129313051) since 18/12/2018. 
  • Registered organisation of the Platform of Cultural Associations of the Ministry of Culture (Reg. Number 9930)
  • Member of the National Committee for Structural Dialogue - EU Youth Dialogue (Ministry of Education) (Reg. K2: 95400)
  • EUROCERT - Certified under ISO 9001:2015 (2022-2025) for quality design and implementation of Educational Activities and Conferences
  • Following the approval of the Greek Territorial Just Transition Plan (TJTP), in September 2022, the Association of Active Youths is the only youth association in Greece full member of the Monitoring Committee of the National Just Transition Plan with full voting rights.
  • Nominated, in 2018, with the «Youth Work Ireland Tipperary Award» for its many years of contribution and work in the field of Youth.

Activities and experience

 

Active Youths consists of a strong team of trainers, youth leaders and youth workers all joined together to promote cooperation with other organisations around Europe and to amplify their knowledge on the various topics under the umbrella of non-formal education. 

 

OENEF encourages awareness and action and organises cultural activities, open discussions, events, workshops, educational meetings and seminars. Among these events OENEF organises the European Night without Accidents and the European Mobility Week and aims to promote culture, sport, education, training, youth participation, youth work, voluntarism, social offering, active citizenship, inclusion and better knowledge on EU matters.

 

During 14 years of activities (2010-2024), OENEF has hosted more than 50 youth mobility projects, such as youth exchanges, training courses, seminars, volunteering projects, youth conferences, solidarity projects and job shadowing activities.

Furthermore, around 750 young people from the region of Western Macedonia, in Greece had the opportunity to participate in experimental activities and actions of non-formal learning in a multicultural environment abroad, leading them to gain unique experiences and provisions for the future.