P2: Activity Plan 2023 - 2024

1. Strengthening the FYEG Network and Membership Coordination

FYEG organises two network activities per mandate to facilitate political
exchanges.

The Young Green Forum serves as a precursor to the annual General Assembly (GA)
of FYEG, where representatives from Member Organisations (MOs), working groups,
and other FYEG bodies convene online to exchange ideas and discuss
organisational and political issues. It is an excellent opportunity for FYEG
members to network, establish stronger connections, and provide feedback to
enhance FYEG's activities. The Forum will be held online, tentatively by the end
of January 2024, and will be mainly used as a space to unveil FYEG’s 2024
Election Campaign to FYEG MOs and to receive their input, and to address
statutory and political issues ahead of the General Assembly.

The General Assembly is the highest authority of FYEG, where MO delegates elect
the organisation's leaders and approve new members. Moreover, it is the platform
for FYEG's members to present and discuss political resolutions on various
policy matters. This is the chance for the network to propose policies on
current events. The 2024 General Assembly will be held in late summer, following
the European elections. It will be followed by the annual public conference that
brings together experts, representatives of the federation, young activists, and
FYEG partners to discuss and debate a particular political topic.

FYEG Executive Committee will hold four live EC Meetings, tentatively in June
2023, September 2023, January 2024 and June 2024.

Membership Coordination

FYEG remains committed to fostering the growth and coordination of its MOs,
which form the essence of our Federation. In pursuit of this goal, FYEG will
hold regional meetings.

Considering the geographical implications of the upcoming votes on membership at
the General Assembly, the next Executive Committee might consider reviewing the
regional zones that are currently: East, Balkans, South, Center-West and North.

The Executive Committee members responsible for these regions will oversee the
organisation of regional meetings, the frequency will be decided following the
recommendations from the last mandates and it will guarantee coherent
coordination and communication across all regions.

The Executive Committee aims to provide more attention and assistance to MOs
that have been less active than others. To facilitate this, there is a dedicated
budget for MO visits. Furthermore, MOs are encouraged to invite FYEG to
participate in at least one of their activities annually to foster a
constructive working relationship.

FYEG's strategy to enhance the involvement of its MOs from the East includes
ongoing assistance and collaboration with the Cooperation and Development
Network (CDN) and participating at the European Green Party (EGP) Balkan network
meetings. Moreover the second edition of the Young Greens Decentralised Training
will be focused on MOs coming from outside of the EU, specifically the Balkan
region.

FYEG intends to build upon its previous efforts in the South region, follow up
on the outcomes of the live South regional meeting, and further enhance the
South region’s engagement in FYEG's political initiatives and long-term
planning.

Furthermore, FYEG will continue to track the participation and representation of
its MOs in its activities and structures.

Regarding the upcoming Study Visits, Estonian Young Greens MTÜ Noored Rohelised
will be in its second year of candidacy and if they wish to proceed with full
membership, a study visit will have to be planned latest by the end of 2024.

2. Capacity Building and Educational Activities

MO trainings

The second edition of the Young Greens Decentralised Trainings (YGDT) will bring
the same programme as the previous edition, focused on building a vision and
recruiting members, to more MOs of the network. The design of the programme will
take into account the input that the trainees of the 2022 edition provided
during the evaluation phase. This edition of YGDT will especially target MOs
from Eastern Europe and the Balkans in need of strategies to enhance their
structures and to recruit and engage new members through activities in line with
their vision and mission. The programme will take place during a period of 5
months and include individual consultations, a live training, and online
workshops.

In 2024, FYEG will not hold an edition of the Young Greens Decentralised
Trainings. The 3rd edition of this capacity-building project will be designed
after the EU elections and will be implemented during the first half of 2025.
After two iterations of the same programme, the content of the 3rd edition will
be developed taking into account the evaluations of the 2022 and 2023 editions,
as well as the context of the aftermath of the EU elections, an assessment of
the needs of the MOs, FYEG’s capacities, and the position of the Green Family in
the post-election scenario. The call for MOs will open in autumn 2024.

Focus on youth participation

For 2023 and 2024, FYEG designed a 2-year-long project to support all young
people to have a say, influence decision-making and increase diversity in
democratic participation, with a focus on election periods everywhere in Europe.
For the first phase in 2023, through the “We need the Green YOU(th)!” Annual
Work Plan, FYEG will host two main international activities:

For the second phase in 2024, through the “Your Future Starts Today” Annual Work
Plan, FYEG will host three main international activities:

MO Grant Programmes

FYEG will fund decentralised activities implemented by selected MOs through a
grant programme both in 2023 and 2024. First in 2023, through the “EU and you!”
Grant Program, FYEG will support the implementation of 4 to 6 decentralised
projects designed to raise awareness on the impact of an EU programme or action
for the citizens at the local, regional or national level. The awarded MOs will
implement their projects between June and October. Then in 2024, through the
“Get out the vote!” programme, a selection of FYEG’s MOs will receive financial
support for the implementation of actions and events to promote participation in
the 2024 EU elections. These local actions will be implemented in April and May.

Working Groups

After the General Assembly, the Beyond Growth Platform (BGP) will organise a
session at the pre-conference activity of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs)
leading to the Beyond Growth Conference in order to promote our manifesto with
Generation Climate Europe to civil society partners and policymakers. The BGP
will attend said Conference to represent FYEG’s views. After the resolution to
the Vienna EGP Congress, the BGP will then aim to draft an FYEG resolution for
the 2024 GA, and initiate steps towards developing a detailed working paper.

In terms of political aims, the Racial Justice Task Force (RJTF) will expand
FYEG's work on decoloniality, with a deeper focus on specific areas thereof.
RJTF will also seek to collaborate with other racial justice organisations, such
as the European Network Against Racism's Climate Justice Working Group.
Organisationally, RJTF plans to assess our Safer Spaces Policy and to work with
the Office, EC and MOs through a survey to update our Inclusion Plan with a
focus on racial justice and the inclusion of racialised, culturally- and ethnic-
minoritised youth. RJTF will also hold a live meeting in Brussels.

Study Session "Green Perspectives on European Security"

FYEG and CDN will be jointly organising a Study Session titled "Green
Perspectives on European Security" at the European Youth Centre in Budapest from
23 to 28 October 2023. The objective of this Study Session is to foster a shared
understanding of security in the context of new global challenges, and their
intersections, guided by the values of democracy, the rule of law, self-
determination, human rights, fundamental freedoms, and feminism.

To achieve this goal, the Study Session will provide an opportunity for learning
and fostering intercultural dialogue between youth from various European
countries, wherein they can discuss the concept of security and ways to ensure
it.

European Youth Congress

The Congress that was formerly known as the “Congress of Young Europeans” is
coming to Greece in 2023. This political event brings together young people from
various European countries to discuss and exchange ideas on current European
issues, such as democracy, human rights, migration, climate change, and social
justice. The Congress aims to foster a pan-European dialogue and promote a sense
of shared responsibility and solidarity among young Europeans. It is jointly
organised by Heinrich Böll Stiftung, Green European Foundation, and FYEG.

The upcoming 2023 edition of the Congress will take place in Thessaloniki,
Greece, from October 19th to the 22nd, and will focus on the right to
independent living. This event aims to provide a platform for young Europeans to
voice their opinions, share their experiences, and engage in constructive
discussions with policymakers, activists, and experts.

3. Bringing forward the youth perspective

General Comms and Campaigns

Our General Communications for 2023-2024 will focus on providing a voice to
young people from across Europe. To achieve this we will make clear and concise
political statements through social media on current events and ongoing issues.
We will work closely with our MOs, the Greens/EFA in the European Parliament and
the European Green Party to reach a broader audience.

The Ecosprinter will remain independently coordinated by the Ecosprinter
Editorial Board. The board will work to provide a space for young people across
Europe to write on a variety of issues.

Lobbying, advocating and campaigning for the youth perspective through
collaborating with our partners and through participation in international
political events

FYEG Co-Spokepersons will closely follow the work of the European Green Party by
attending its Committee Meetings. Moreover FYEG will continue to send delegates
to the EGP Congresses. EGP will organise an in-person Congress in Vienna in June
2023, an online congress in December 2023 and an extended in person congress in
January/February 2024, and finally a regular Congress in November/December 2024.
In the extended Congress of 2024, EGP will introduce the EU election campaign
and elect the Spitzenkandidaten. FYEG will attend these congresses with its
delegation and will also organise a youth event at the January/February extended
Congress. This youth event will be a moment to introduce FYEG’s election
campaign as well.

FYEG will have a presence in the EGP Campaign Working Groups, namely the
Campaign Working Group and Manifesto Working Group. FYEG will be represented by
its EC members when political input is required or by the Secretary-General
and/or Communications and Campaign Manager when the meetings are at staff level.

FYEG will continue to cooperate with the Greens/EFA in the European Parliament,
in particular with young MEPs on initiatives that are also political priorities
for FYEG. The FYEG Secretary-General will continue to follow the Group meetings
when the Agenda is relevant to FYEG’s priorities. Members of the FYEG Executive
Committee will also be present at the Group retreat which will take place in
Madrid in September 2023.

The FYEG Communications and Campaign Manager will take part in the Greens/EFA
Campaign Taskforce meetings whilst the FYEG Secretary-General and/or EC members
will join the political discussions that are related to the European Campaign.

FYEG maintains a strong connection with the European Youth Forum through the
efforts of an EC delegate. This delegate takes part in various events, policy
discussions, and endeavours to build relationships with the Forum's members.
FYEG will continue this partnership, specifically during the run up to the
elections to support the European Youth Forum’s efforts to bring issues and
demands of young Europeans to the political debate.

The work carried out from our elected representative in the Advisory Council on
Youth of the Council of Europe is a key element for disseminating and lobbying
for our green ideas. FYEG EC Member Milan Zlatanović will continue his mandate
at the Advisory Council on Youth until the end of 2023. For the upcoming 2024-
2025 mandate, Sean Currie put forward his candidacy, representing FYEG. If
elected, FYEG will continue its work on climate policy to ensure that there will
be more funds for green-minded projects through the EYF. Moreover, FYEG will
keep monitoring the democracy and transparency of the processes within the
Council. Finally, FYEG is committed to ensure that the work of the Council of
Europe is beneficial and supportive to all youth organisations, including
smaller ones, to enhance their development and the development of the youth
movement and civil society as a whole.

Lobbying, advocating and campaigning for the youth perspective through our
campaigns and disseminating our work and ideas to new and broader audiences

In the 2023/2024 mandate, all of FYEG’s campaign work will be focused on the
upcoming EU elections.

The goal of FYEG’s EU24 campaign is to spread our vision for “a just, feminist,
diverse, democratic, sustainable Europe where people are happy and free”;
mobilise, empower, and engage young people across Europe around our message of
hope and our belief in a Green Europe, and to increase the visibility and name
recognition of Young Greens.

The full details of the EU24 Campaign are set out in the Campaign Plan.

Our 2024 Campaign will focus on:

4. Organisational Growth

FYEG’s work on strengthening and improving its internal structures, processes
and governance is still vital in order to build on FYEG’s successes and to
develop and maintain durable, efficient, and strategic foundations for our work.
In this perspective, FYEG will continue to work on its strategic planning and
Strategic Framework; on the well-being and retention of its EC and staff
members; and on internal processes and governance.

Strategic Framework

Last year, a Strategic Framework was created to monitor and evaluate the
Strategy and yearly Activity Plans. In the Strategic Framework, each strategic
objective listed in the Strategy is linked to relevant activities or tasks and
divided into Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). A baseline and yearly target is
set for each KPI and responsibilities for the implementation and monitoring of
all activities and tasks are decided.

During this mandate and following up on the implementation of the 2022-2025
Strategy, FYEG will update the targets for each KPI in line with the evaluation
from the 2022-2023 period. Each EC and staff member will again create an
individual plan in line with their roles, priorities and the task division
decided at the beginning of the mandate. These plans will ensure tasks are well
defined and reasonable plus they will allow easy monitoring of individual
performances and contributions to FYEG’s work.

In addition, preparations for the development of the next Strategic Plan will
start in the second half of 2024. MOs will be consulted through a survey and
during statutory meetings to help set the new goals for FYEG’s work. The new
Strategic Plan will be adopted at the 2025 General Assembly.

Human resources, internal management, governance processes, and transfer of
knowledge

FYEG’s main operational roles are shared between the EC and Secretariat. Their
good coordination and efficient functioning are essential to the development and
implementation of the activities and work of the federation.

The FYEG Secretariat will experience a lot of changes and evolutions during this
mandate. First, following the increase in the FYEG Office capacities in the
beginning of 2023, with two additional temporary positions until the 2024 EU
elections, a new Secretary General will also take office in June 2023. A one-
month transition period is foreseen with the former Secretary-General to help
set up the new mandate as well as a two-day residential Office retreat that will
allow the office to plan the year ahead. Then, following the 2024 EU elections,
the FYEG Office is expected to downsize and experience a transition period again
with senior staff members moving on to other endeavours.

Through this intense period, FYEG will continue to ensure that the staff and EC
well-being and working conditions remain a priority and continue the upward
trend started over the past few years. This goes hand-in-hand with the efforts
started to streamline and make internal processes more efficient: FYEG will
continue its work to improve the internal delegation order between the EC and
Office, especially with the more detailed provisions to be adopted in the
Statutes; the EC task division will be updated and improved based on the last
mandate’s evaluation and recommendation. These processes will also be evaluated
before the end of the mandate to ensure a good transfer of knowledge and
continued improvement. For all of this to be possible in the long run, FYEG will
also continue with its fundraising efforts, to ensure the financial
sustainability of the organisation.

FYEG will also continue to test and adopt relevant digital tools to facilitate
its work. During the last mandate, FYEG started using an accounting software, a
project management software and a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tool.
The FYEG Secretariat will continue to improve the use of these different tools
as well as explore possible synergies with other areas of work and between
different softwares. The Secretariat will also further its experimenting with
working time accounting to better analyse and adjust staff workload and
capacities.