Call for Participants: FYEG LAB: All Politics is Mental Health Politics
The Federation of Young European Greens is announcing an open call for participants for “FYEG LAB: All Politics is Mental Health Politics”, an international activity that will take place on 11- 13 November 2022 (arrival on 10th November, departure on 14th November) in Brussels (Belgium) hosted in collaboration with the European Green Party.
The FYEG LAB will last 3 days. The first two days will bring together 40 Young Greens and activists from all over Europe with elements of a seminar and training to look back at the knowledge acquired on the politics of mental health during the previous two activities of this project. The final day will be organised as a public conference where FYEG will invite representatives of youth NGOs, party political youth organisations and movements based in Brussels to discuss how to join forces in lobbying for better mental health at various levels and establish an international network of mental health policy supporters at the European level.
More precisely, the objectives of the FYEG LAB are:
Create a platform through which to present and debate the “Mental Health In Progress” strategy among member and partner organisations and a wider network, and establish partnerships among them;
Train young people on how to approach the topic of mental health internally within their member organisations, movements and groups, and especially how to push the mental health narrative in a variety of policy fields;
Develop young people’s skills to lobby for improved legislation on mental health at local, national and international level.
The programme will be based on the principles of non-formal education and intercultural learning. The sessions will be balanced between theoretical inputs, work in small groups, workshops, discussions, training and other interactive methods. The active participation of the participants is essential to the success of the event.
Participants: We are looking for 40 young people between 15-35, residing in one of the Council of Europe member states, Belarus, Russia and Kosovo*. We welcome applications reflecting diversity in all forms; therefore we encourage applications from those who identify as women*, LGBTQIA+, POC, or with a disability or other health impairment.
Language: The main language of this activity will be English. Not being comfortable interacting in English should not prevent you from applying, but you should however mention this in your application so that we can plan to support you.
Costs: Your costs of participation in the event, including lodging (accommodation in multi-bed rooms, vegetarian or vegan food, and refreshments), visa, covid tests (if required), will be fully covered by the organisers. Additionally, travel costs will be covered up to a given amount based on actual travel costs from your place of residence to the location of the event, as calculated ahead of the event. Participants will be asked to combine the most economic and environmentally friendly way of travelling (lowest price + travel time + CO2 emissions).
Participation fee: In exchange, FYEG asks you to contribute with a participation fee depending on your country of residence and your means, as follows:
Category 1 (North and West region countries): EUR 70 (base fee) or 110 (solidarity fee)
Category 2 (South and Centre region countries): EUR 50 (base fee) or 80 (solidarity fee)
Category 3 (East region countries): EUR 30 (base fee) or 50 (solidarity fee)
An overview of the categories for each country is available HERE. Please assess for yourself based on your financial situation whether you would like to pay the base or the solidarity fee. The solidarity fee is in place for applicants who can contribute a bit more in solidarity with others, if they have the means.
Applicants for whom paying the fee is an obstacle for participation, should still apply and mention this in their application. FYEG will try to find a solution together with the applicant after the selection is finalised. This will NOT be a criteria for selection.
Covid guidelines: Following FYEG COVID guidelines, we are only accepting participants who are fully vaccinated. Being fully vaccinated means that you got the final dose of your vaccine at least 15 days before the event AND the booster if it is available for you according to your country's regulations. Those who are ineligible for vaccination due to health reasons or conditions and have a medical report that proves it are also welcome to join. We may require all selected participants to present a negative covid test (PCR or antigen) taken in the 48 hours before the start of the event. More information on Covid requirements will be sent to selected participants.
DEADLINE for submitting online applications: August 22 2022 at 23:59 CEST. You will be informed about the results of the selection before mid September.
“FYEG LAB: All Politics is Mental Health Politics” is the third activity of FYEG’s The Politics of Mental Health project, supported by the European Youth Foundation of the Council of Europe. The Sunday conference is hosted in collaboration with the European Green Party.
*All references to Kosovo, whether to the territory, institutions or population, in this text shall be understood in full compliance with the United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1244 and without prejudice to the status of Kosovo.
