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Since 2008 EFIL has engaged actively in developing and supporting new AFS organisations. The foundation for starting this process was the General Assembly in Lisbon 2007 where the member organisations endorsed EFIL’s Strategic Directions 2007-2012. They include implementing initiatives to enlarge the Federation which will result in larger and healthier programmes, and thus help build up overall network sustainability. Currently the department of Partner Development covers the 10 following countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Ireland, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, and United Kingdom.

EFIL has developed and contributed to the development of new organisations in various ways including starting from scratch with feasibility visits, leading to a new network of volunteers, such as in Romania and Bulgaria, but also working with past participants and volunteers in the Balkans that were willing to start AFS again after the war in Yugoslavia was over. Also, EFIL has worked with existing organisations who cooperated with single AFS partners and slowly have become part of the AFS network.

Partner Development in Europe

Where we are present

Currently the department of Partner Development covers the following countries:

Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Ireland, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, and the United Kingdom.

From the Programme Director’s Meeting in Cork, Ireland, March 2016.

1. Regular meetings and skype calls

EFIL follows up closely with the respective partner organisations, partly through in-person meetings, but mostly through online communication.

2. Training

3. Crisis support

4. Development of strategic documents

5. Development of promotional material

6. Focus project

Currently EFIL is focusing on the developments of AFS Croatia and AFS Slovenia. Both organisations are rather small and do not have the resources to maintain an office independently. EFIL has gathered seed money from its membership to open a combined office for both organisations in Zagreb, Croatia. A staff member has been hired and EFIL is supporting and following up on the development of the 2 year project.

Events hosted in Partner Development Countries

EFIL events such as meetings, trainings and seminars are hosted by our member organisations. We make an effort to hove events in Partner Development countries as much as possible.

Click the blue symbol to see what events EFIL has hosted in the respective countries.

TE(I)ST the Balkans

TE(I)ST the Balkans is a projet that was initiated by EFIL. EFIL’s members are AFS organisations that are involved in long-term intercultural exchanges. Our partner organisations in the Balkans are rather young organisations that are struggling to attract young Europeans to go on an intercultural exchange in the Balkans.

Visit the project page

Enlarge the Federation by developing new partner representations in European countries where there is no current presence of EFIL/AFS, with focus on the European Union.