What we do with the European Union

Think Tank AlterContacts support the efforts of the EU to shape a safer and better world for all. Through effective multi-stakeholder partnerships and civil society initiatives, we contribute to making Europe greener, more digital, and more resilient with a special focus on education, empowering youth, small business support, and reviving rural areas.

GRANT PARTNERSHIPS

We are open to participating in EU Grant applications as a contributing partner. Our identification numbers are PIC 893270382 and OID E10277518. If you'd like to receive our Partner Identification Form (PIF), please email to info@altercontacts.org.

Circular Competence Training for Aquaculture Waste Management using VR and AR Tools (CIRCU-TECH)

The project aims to promote sustainability and the circular economy by creating a tailored training program for aquaculture workers. It seeks to address waste management challenges in aquaculture by developing innovative learning tools and practices using virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). It was awarded the ERASMUS+ grant for KA220-VET to be implemented between 2025-2027. Read more here

AI-powered Next Generation of Vocational Education Training (AI4VET4AI)

The project aims to enhance artificial intelligence skills within Europe's vocational education and training (VET). It seeks to bridge the AI skills gap by developing innovative teaching content and methods, targeting both students and teachers. It was awarded the ERASMUS+ grant for Centres of Vocational Excellence (COVE) to be implemented between 2023-2027. Read more here

Promoting Resilience and Employability in uniVersity (PREVIEW)

The project focuses on enhancing remote internship experiences within higher education. Its scope includes developing innovative teaching methods, digital resources, and assessment tools to prepare students for the evolving landscape of remote work. PREVIEW was awarded the ERASMUS+ Grant for KA220-HED to be implemented between 2022-2025. Read more here

Awards and Recognition

EU Break Fellowship Program 2022

The co-founder of Think Tank AlterContacts, Julia Skupchenko, was awarded the Break 2022 Fellowship for the project "mOther Earth" to revive rural Spain. During the fellowship in October 2022, we carried the fieldwork in the village of Silleda in the region of Galicia, including open interviews with local youth, sustainable entrepreneurs, civil society organizations, and an event at the primary school of Silleda involving 260 children.

National Finalist of the Netherlands 2021

On 30 March 2021, the Lockdown Economy initiative by the Think Tank AlterContacts was chosen by the Dutch representatives in the European Parliament as the national finalist from the Netherlands for the European Charlemagne Youth Prize 2021. For its contribution to promoting European and international understanding and providing role models for young people living in Europe and offering practical examples of Europeans living together as one community. The press release from the EU is here.

Participation in the EU activities

European Rural Pact Webinar

On February 20, Think Tank AlterContacts participated in the European Rural Pact - Good Practice webinar on Rural Housing. We had a chance to present our programme "mOther Earth" as an example of housing renovation and revitalisation through sustainable solutions. This webinar, organised by the Rural Pact Support Office, explored the unique housing challenges that rural areas are facing. It showcased inspiring policies, strategies, initiatives, and community-led projects that improve affordability and availability, attract new residents, and promote renovation efforts contributing to the green transition in rural areas.

"Adequate rural housing is essential to attract and retain population, and foster vibrant rural communities. However, challenges persist, including affordability, availability, housing modernisation to meet evolving population needs and energy efficiency."

EESC-FAO Joint Event on SDGs and Voluntary National Reviews

On February 13, Think Tank AlterContacts took part in the joint event by the European Economic and Social Committee and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The event focused on strengthening civil society participation in Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) to the Sustainable Development Goals, with particular emphasis on youth involvement. It provided a platform for peer-to-peer exchanges to enhance youth engagement in both VNR processes and post-VNR actions. This initiative was aligned with FAO's commitment to strengthening agrifood systems as a driver for sustainable development and its peer-to-peer review model. The EESC provided a bridging space for dialogue among institutions and civil society from Europe and the Global South.

Europe Sustainable Development Report 2025:
Public Consultation

Think Tank AlterContacts has taken part in the online consultation on this regional assessment of countries' progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is a complement to the official SDG indicators and the voluntary national reviews. Read our contribution here.

The image courtesy of the European Parliament Multimedia Centre: EP-168068A_LEVELUP. European Youth FORUM - LEVELUP! 2024

Level Up! I care, I vote 2024

European Youth Parliament has selected our co-founder, Julia Skupchenko, to represent the Netherlands at the Level Up event, which took place on 12-13 April 2024 at the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) and the European Economic Social Committee (EESC). It brought together 1300+ youth activists from across the European Union and the key decision-makers related to youth policies.

Implementation of SDGs and Agenda 2030 in the EU

Think Tank AlterContacts has taken part in the online consultation on the EU Voluntary Review of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by the European Economic and Social Committee.

European Youth Event in Strasbourg 2023

Every year the EYE (European Youth Event) brings together at the European Parliament in Strasbourg and online thousands of young people from all over the European Union and the world, to share and shape their ideas on Europe’s future. The submission of the AlterContacts Young System Thinkers was chosen among 200+ applications. Our proposal was to host an interactive workshop on "Solving EU Housing Crisis: Let’s Create Rural Alternatives for Youth."

Level Up! Accelerating change 2022

On 28-29 October 2022, our co-founder, Julia Skupchenko, participated in the Level Up event for the EU youth activists. She had an opportunity to share what Think Tank AlterContacts does for community activation with the members of the European Parliament, the European Commission, and permanent representations of national governments. As a follow-up to the event, she has initiated an Alumni Group where 1200+ young activists can stay in touch and support each other's projects.

Economic resilience of self-employed professionals during COVID-19

The goal of our project is to create opportunities to cover basic needs (food, shelter, medical support) for self-employed people who lost their source of income due to the pandemic. That will be done by enabling the government to outsource remote office tasks to freelancers and self-employed through existing freelance platforms. Our proposal was submitted to the European Commission during #EUvsVirus online Hackathon 24-26 April 2020.

Past Projects

Reviving Rural - program mOther Earth

An international program to revive rural areas worldwide by mobilizing local youth and contributing to a green, digital and resilient recovery of their economy. It is officially recognized and published by the United Nations as the SDG Acceleration Action #SDGAction46967.

Humanizing Digital

This program includes initiatives dedicated to Digital Health and Safety and the socially meaningful application of digital technologies. It was started during the COVID-19 pandemic when confinement made digital a defining part of our lives.

Business GreenHouse

It was a prototype of the global online ecosystem of entrepreneurs and freelancers with the goal to equip starting entrepreneurs with tools and skills, and connecting them to each other. Having mentors in Europe, North and Latin America, and Asia, in 2019 we hosted over 20 free events helping 150+ entrepreneurs on three continents.

#MyFirstJob #TenYearsIn

In January 2020 we tested a new campaign #MyFirstJob #TenYearsIn. In this campaign, we ask people with over ten years of experience to share, in a short video, what is the reality of the job like. It is aimed at children who are deciding which profession or education path to choose. In most cases, it will define their lives, ability to support themselves financially and find fulfillment in what they do. We make this choice early on, often having an illusion of how the work-life is going to be. The more people contribute with their videos, the more children will have an idea of what is right for their future.