Glossary Some of the terms used are specific to the YOUTH program or have a specific meaning in European terms. The following are some basic definitions of terminology: Member States - The countries that are members of the European Union (see section B.2) EFTA/E. E. A countries - The three countries which are members of the European Free Trade Association and of the European Economic Area (see section B.2)

Pre-accession (or associated) countries - The countries which have applied for European Union membership and participate fully in all YOUTH Actions (see section B.2)

Program countries - E. U Member States, EFTA/E. E. A countries and pre-accession countries. They can participate fully in all YOUTH Actions (see list of countries in section B.2)

Third countries - Neither Member States of the European Union, pre-accession countries, nor members of EFTA/E. E. A. They can participate in YOUTH projects under Actions 1, 2 and 5 subject to specific criteria and procedures (see list of countries in section B.3)

Mediterranean partner countries - The 12 non-E. U countries on or near the Mediterranean Sea that are participating in the Euro-Mediterranean Youth Action Program (see section B.3)

Eastern Europe and Caucasus - Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia Azerbaijan and
Armenia

Euro-Med - The Euro-Mediterranean Youth Action Program, which involves the 15 E. U Member States and 12 Mediterranean partner countries

National Agencies - Structures established by the national authorities in each Program country in order to assist the European Commission with management and to assume responsibility for implementation of most of the YOUTH program. See contact details.

National Coordinators - Structures established by the national authorities in each Euro-Med partner country in order to facilitate implementation of the Euro-Mediterranean Youth Action Program

Non-formal education - Projects within YOUTH actively involve young people on a voluntary basis and provide them with opportunities to acquire skills and competencies outside formal education and training systems. Even though they are not part of any formal educational curriculum, YOUTH projects are characterized by a carefully planned program of personal and social education for participants and apply methods of intercultural learning

E. V. S - European Voluntary Service

Young people with less opportunities - Young people from a less-privileged cultural, geographical or socio-economic background, or with disabilities; better access for them to the activities developed within the YOUTH program is a key priority for the European Commission

ENGYO - European non-governmental youth organization based in one of the Program countries and with member branches in at least eight Program countries (legal statutes)

Community funding - Financial contribution from the YOUTH program awarded to selected projects