V Cycle of Structured Dialogue with Young People
Implementation Plan for ESN
1. What is Structured Dialogue?
Structured Dialogue is a process that puts together young people and policy-makers to
discuss relevant youth-related topics. The discussions lead to proposals new ideas to
develop youth policy at the national and European level. It is a way to engage young people
with democratic life by engaging them in discussions that affect them in their everyday life.
It is implemented in cycles of 18 months and in every cycle the discussion is centred on a
different topic. The results of the discussions are a basis for joint deliberations issued by
young people and government representatives. The deliberations are discussed at the
European Union Youth Conference (EUYC) and result in proposals which are presented to
the Member States in the Council of the European Union.
The Council later decides on whether to include or reflect them in Council documents related
with youth policy in the EU. In the end of the whole process a toolbox with recommendations
on how to implement the results of the discussion round is disseminated to all relevant
European and national authorities, NGOs and young people.
Even though the process happens at the EU level, in ESN we will carry it out in all our
members in order to have the full picture of the network.
2. What is the topic being discussed in the V cycle?
The topic – also called "thematic priority" – for the V cycle is “enabling all young people to
engage in a diverse, connected and inclusive Europe”. Let’s break this down in key
questions:

How to ensure that all young people in Europe are able to develop the competences
that enable them to engage in a diverse, connected and inclusive Europe?

How to ensure the involvement of all young people, including those at risk (like youth
with a migrant background and youth facing mental health problems)?

How to make young people not at risk also contribute to an inclusive society?
Basically we will discuss how to capacitate young people with skills and competences
that will prevent them from being excluded, regardless of their background, and will help
them developing their self-esteem and resilience to deal with trends towards
marginalisation and exclusion.
Learn more about the topic by watching this video.
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3. How will we implement Structured Dialogue in ESN?
Structured Dialogue in ESN will be implemented in accordance with our structure and
regular activity. No new positions or completely new actions will be needed.
3.1 Coordination and responsibilities
International level: the general coordination of the process is guaranteed by the Liaison
Office. We are responsible for:

coordinating the Education Officers (or National Representatives);

provide them with the tools they need;

report them the results of the EUYCs;

submit ESN’s contribution (the result of all national contributions) to the European
Youth Forum.
National level: Education Officers will coordinate the process nationally. National
Representatives will take care of the process if there is no EO in the country. They are
responsible for:

inform their sections about the process and coordinate their activity;

present the topic at their national platforms using a presentation provided by the LO;

facilitate a small session about the topic at their national platforms using a session
outline provided by the LO;

fill the national report template and send it to the Liaison Office. This report is
available here.
Local level: Sections will not need to have a person responsible for the process but will
engage in the consultations and include it in their activities. They are also responsible to
report their local results to their national Education Officer or National representative.
3.2 Implementation
The implementation of Structured Dialogue can be as interactive as we want as long as it
facilitates bringing young people to the general discussion. In ESN we will have four main
ways of implementing it.
3.2.1 National Platforms
During National Platforms the EO will:


Have a presentation about the topic using a powerpoint prepared by the LO.
Facilitate a small session of 45 minutes (minimum) about the topic following a
guideline prepared by the LO.
o Ideally local/national policy-makers and other youth organisations can be
invited to join the session to contribute for a bigger brainstorming on the topic.
After the NP the EO/NR will prepare a report about the event and send it to the LO.
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3.2.2 Online consultation
An online form will be created by the Liaison Office and shared across the network by the
Liaison Office, national Education Officers and sections. Any young person may fill the form,
being it an ESN member, an international student or none of those.
3.2.3 Activities by the sections
Sections can easily implement Structured Dialogue in their everyday activities or even when
they implement international projects. The goals should be:

ask young people for their opinion on the topic. The same guiding questions used for
small sessions during national platforms can be used for this purpose.

and/or put young people in contact with policy-makers and facilitate a discussion
about the topic.
Examples of activities:
 During a SocialErasmus activity you can spark the discussion on the topic in the
group and have it as a normal conversation. After the activity you can write the main
topics raised by the group.

During a Mov’in Europe activity in your university you can take a smaller group aside
and ask them about their opinion on the topic.

During a city tour you can informally ask people for their opinion and suggestions for
the general discussion.

During your national training event you can create a discussion using non-formal
education, thus contributing both to the agenda of the event and for the general
results of the consultation.

Alternatively, you can organise a real debate on the topic and invite somebody from
your municipality to join you and discuss it with the group.
Imagination is the limit and do not feel afraid of using non-formal education. You can find
many ideas in the attached document called "Toolbox of ideas" which was prepared for the
last cycle. If you have new ideas please share them with us!
Always report the number of people involved, the approach used and the main outcomes as
this is relevant for ESN's final report. Always take a picture of the activity so we can create a
dynamic album about the implementation of this process in ESN.
3.2.4 International events
International events will be used by the Liaison Office for two main reasons:
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
To consult: over the summer there are many events happening in Brussels and the
Liaison Officer will profit to make some small group interviews with the participants.
The results will be added to the general target number.

To report:
o CNR September: National Representatives will have a presentation about the
process and the main results will be discussed with them.
o
Regional Platforms: the results of the national consultations will be compiled
and internally compared by region. This process will allow us to better screen
the network and understand the specific regional needs of young people.
During Regional Platforms we will present the regional results to sections and
decision-makers will be invited to join the session and discuss the regional
conclusions with ESN members from every region. This idea will be further
developed over summer and more details will be provided closer to the
events.
o
CND Krakow: update on the process and developments made. Report of the
results of the sessions held during Regional Platforms.
o
AGM Berlin: finally, the conclusions from the whole network will be discussed
during pre-AGM CNR 2017 and presented at the AGM 2017.
3.3 Targets and deadlines
More than one year ago, during the last cycle, ESN reached over 500 people. Considering
the growth of the network and the diversity of proposed approaches, this year we will aim at
reaching at least 1500 people.
Division by approach:
 Small sessions during national platforms: 400 people (roughly 10 by country).

Consultation round: 800 people (less than 2 people per section).

Activities: 300 people (roughly 0,5 person per section).
The deadline to reach the numbers is the 15th of August. If some countries have national
platforms or training events between the 15th of August and the 1st of September they should
mention that to the Liaison Office by e-mail.
3.4 Contacts:
During the whole period do not hesitate to contact the Liaison Office:
 João Pinto (Liaison Officer towards the European Youth Forum): [email protected]
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4. Timetable
Date
Event/Place
Actions
04-07/04/2016
EUYC Amsterdam
Digest and report the results to the
network.
15-16/04/2016
Council of Members
of the European
Youth Forum
Discussion of the results of the EUYC
Amsterdam. Best-practice exchange on
implementation strategies with other
INGYOs.
26-29/05/2016
CNR Bucharest
Presentation of the strategy to the CNR.
June – 15th August
2016
Consultation period
Online consultation, activities and NPs.
Continuous contact with EOs and support
to their actions.
01/09/2016
Submission of ESN’s
contribution
Compilation of all answers and reports
from the network and submission to the
YFJ.
22-25/09/2016
CNR Malta
Evaluation of the implementation process
and feedback from the CNR.
03-06/10/2016
EUYC Slovakia
Digest and report the results to the
network.
OctoberNovember 2016
Regional Platforms
Presentation of the final results of the
consultation and sharing of information
about the next steps.
08-11/12/2016
CND Krakow
Presentation with updates to the CNR.
March 2017
EUYC Malta
Digest and report the results to the
network.
April 2017
Pre-AGM CNR
Berlin
Presentation of the outcomes during the
plenaries and discussion during a small
session. Preparation for the next cycle.
AGM Berlin
Presentation of the outcomes during the
plenary session. Preparation for the next
cycle.
April 2017
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Rue Hydraulique 15 - 1210 Brussels – BELGIUM
www.esn.org
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