Formaat Flemish Federation of Youth Clubs

What is Formaat? Umbrella organisation (non-profit) for youth clubs 400 members, spread across Flanders 24 professional workers and 120 volunteers Participational structure Youth clubs and volunteers

What is Formaat? Our mission statement: ‘to distribute and reinforce the youth club methodology’ ‘starting from our experience and expertise, we offer a guide, support and promotion of the youth clubs interests’ ‘we strongly believe in the power and possibilities of youngsters’ ‘we want to make youngsters critical, offer them possibilities for self-fulfilment and offer thema a place where they can experiment and train themselves in an active participation in a democratic society’

What do we do? Member service –Provide information on legislation, youth work policy,… –Coach and support youth clubs Information and publications –Magazines –Brochures and leaflets Training –Courses for starting and advanced youth club volunteers (with a variety of themes and length)

What do we do? Representation –Representing youth clubs in youth policy organs –Co-operate in policy-making Internal co-operation Member of ECYC (European Confederation of Youth Clubs)

The fundamentals of youth clubs Base: meeting point  Permanently available place  Main public: years old  Open to all youngsters  Free participation  Open several days a week  No obligation for consuming and friendly prices

The fundamentals of youth clubs Target  To give responsibility (run by youngsters in a democratic way)  To create a space for experimenting  To work on the competences of young people by ways of informal and non formal learning

The fundamentals of youth clubs Structure: all is run by youngsters - volunteers in a ‘vzw’ structure (non profit organization)

The fundamentals of youth clubs Process in a youth club Contact Meet again Socialise Take part Be involved Organise Lead