1. A bit of history of TCA/NET
   

At the start of the YOUTH Programme (2000-2006) TCP (Training and Co-operation Plan) was established as an important instrument for National Agencies (NAs) to support its implementation. Its value was appreciated, therefore the instrument continued to develop as part of the Youth in Action (YiA) Programme (2007-2013). Within the YiA Programme, TCP served to support the 3 roles of NAs: the management and implementation of YiA on national level, the support of the development of youth work and the support of the co-operation in the youth field in Europe. 

With the start of the new, common programme Erasmus+, the former TCP has been transferred into TCA (Training and Cooperation Activities), when it was extended to the formal education sectors (higher education, school education, vocational education and adult education). In the early stages the rules allowed only transnational activities of two or more NAs, but later national activities and long-term activities were introduced.

Since the European Solidarity Corps was launched in 2018, NET activities have been introduced. NET activities from 2018 allow the National agency to implement not only international activities, but also national ones. 

In 2025 TCA was introduced to the Sport sector as well.

2. What are TCA and NET today? 
   

The Training and Cooperation Activities (TCA) and Networking activities (NET) are support activities implemented by the National Agencies (NAs) aiming to improve the Programmes, Erasmus+ Youth as well as the European Solidarity Corps, in qualitative terms and to make them more strategic by building closer links with relevant elements of policy development.

More concretely, TCA and NET projects can be useful for:

• Reaching potential programme beneficiaries by implementing training activities or contact seminars; 

• Reaching priority target groups of the Programme, ex. Young people with fewer opportunities; 

• Developing the quality of projects and project skills;

• Promoting partner finding opportunities and creating stronger project partnerships;

• Raise awareness on the main thematic priorities of the Programmes (Inclusion and Diversity, Digital Transformation, Environment and fight against climate change, Participation in democratic life, common values and civic engagement);

• Raise awareness of the European Youth Strategy and Youth Goals;

• Evaluating the programmes results;

• Creating a stronger link with European level events (e.g. legacy of the European Year of Youth, European Youth Week, EYE-European Youth Event, European Day of European Innovative Teaching Award, etc.). 

What’s the difference between TCA and NET activities ?

TCA and NET operate as mirror programmes: while TCA activities focus on capacity building for youth workers and, more specifically, Erasmus+ beneficiaries, NET activities concentrate on beneficiaries and issues related to volunteering under the European Solidarity Corps.

For a more detailed and lively presentation, you can watch this video.

To learn more about the objectives of TCA/NET and its formal criteria (eligible activities, participants, venues…) each year the European Commission publishes a Guide for NAs. Be sure to get a copy of this document and read it carefully!

3. TCA/NET landscape 

Below you can find an overview of the broad landscape of the European Youth Programmes and where TCA/NET is situated within.

The top-right section of the infographic highlights the National Agencies involved in the Youth sector (e.g., AT = Austrian NA) as well as the SALTO Resource Centres (e.g., the French NA hosts the SALTO Euromed Resource Centre).

For more information on the SALTO Resource Centres (SALTOs), please visit: https://saltonetwork.eu/resource-centres

4. Different types of TCA/NET activities

Both TCA and NET activities can have:

• A transnational scope: involving participants from different countries.

Transnational TCA/NET activities are activities that have participants from at least two countries. Transnational activities are often organised by two or more NAs and/or SALTO Resource Centres (SALTOs) together. Implementation of these activities is guided by agreements between NAs that can be found in the Cooperation Platform (COOP platform), Agreements section.

COOP platform is used for cooperating in planning of activities, creating calls for applicants and selecting the participants. The hosting NA/SALTO (usually where activity is held) is responsible for setting a call for applicants in COOP platform. Simultaneously the call is launched on the SALTO website on the European Training Calendar.

Please note that until the launch of the new SALTO website, currently under development and scheduled for spring 2026, the calls are published on the old website, where candidates can apply.

TCA/NET/SALTO Officers from sending NAs/SALTOs are responsible for pre-selecting participants and handling their travel arrangements. 

The hosting NA is responsible for covering facilitation fees, accommodation, catering, and venue costs, as well as managing the overall logistics of the activities.

• Link to Cooperation Platform https://tcanetplatform.com/ 

• Link to the SALTO website https://saltonetwork.eu/ (old SALTO website till the launch of the new website in spring 2026: https://www.salto-youth.net/)

• A national scope: involving only participants from the hosting National Agency.

National TCA/NET activities are activities organised only within one country. Activities with a national scope have to offer clear European added value and help to improve the quality of the Programmes and/or reaching its objectives. These activities usually focus on supporting the national youth field on topics related to the Programmes implementation. For example: National training on Youthpass, Creating opportunities to engage in strategic consultations that inform national and reinforce European policies, National training of Inclusion in Youth work, etc.

In such cases, the hosting organisation is responsible for the entire logistics, in addition to participant selection, and manages it using the tools of its choice.

TCA and NET activities are also distinguished by:

• Single activities: one-off events without a long-term perspective.

Single activities are one-off activities without a long-term perspective. They can be recurring activities (same activities that are repeatedly implemented such as Training of Trainers (ToT), Appetizer, Connect for inclusion, etc.) or never repeat (for example: a training course that reflects youth work in a very specific geopolitical situation).

These national or international activities are run by single NAs, single SALTOs or SNAC partners (they also can be open to participants from all countries). When single activities are run by a SNAC partner, they are potentially part of each SNACs strategic plan.

• Long-term activities (SNACs): framed within a strategic approach that may span several years.

Often long-term activities in the youth field are called SNACs (Strategic National Agencies Cooperation projects). The name was adopted in previous years before the LTAs (long-term activities) were introduced to Erasmus+ Programme by the European Commission. The European Commission refers to these activities as LTAs, whereas Youth NAs often use the unofficial term SNAC.

SNACs are implemented as part TCA/NET. In practice, the SNACs are carried out by organising several single activities that link to the topic of the SNAC. These activities can be national or transnational and they can have other elements, such as research, communication, visibility, etc.

The strategic long-term cooperation started in 2015 with additional funding from the European Commission. The monitoring report of those activities showed the added value of long term network activities. More long-term activities were created during (2014-2020), and the cooperation was considered beneficial for NA cooperation. Therefore the network aimed to continue long-term network projects during the new programme period (2021-2027). The network of Youth NAs started planning SNACs in 2020. 

As a result of the co-creation steps undertaken in 2020 and further developments, there are now overall 14 SNAC’s in progress. The 14 SNACs are coordinated by 10 NAs: 

1. Beyond Borders - Cooperation with Neighbouring Partner Countries (SALTO SEE-SI)  

2. Democracy Reloading (BE FR) 

3. Digital Youth Work (FI) 

4. Education and Training of youth workers (SALTO TC) 

5. European Academy for Youth Work (SI) 

6. European Youth Work Agenda (DE) 

7. Europe Goes Local (BE FL) 

8. EuroPeers (EE) 

9. Mental Health in Youth Work (FI) 

10. New Power in Youth (EE) 

11. SPI Strategic Partnership on Inclusion (SALTO ID - BE FL) 

12. Strengthening Partnership Volunteering (AT) (also called SNAC Volunteering)

13. YouSports (FR) 

14. Youth@Work (IT) 

Updated information on all these SNAC’s can be found here: https://saltonetwork.eu/snacs 

All SNACs are open for new partners! In case of questions or if your NA wants to join any of the SNACs, contact the lead country colleague (email address to be found in the link above).

5. Tools to manage TCA/NET activities 

The main difference in terms of activity management and tools to be used lies between national and transnational activities. For transnational activities we use the Cooperation platform (COOP platform). For national activities every NA has its own way, but at the same time COOP is also an option for your national TCA/NET activities. The COOP platform is a big help with transnational activities, because sending NAs use it for letting the hosting NA/SALTO knows the participants they will support. 

How to get access to the COOP platform?

The platform is managed by SALTO Training & Cooperation (T&C) and you can find the instructions by clicking here.

In case you face any troubles, you can always use the support@tcanetplatform.com to get help.

The Knowledge Base is your resource to learn how the COOP platform works (e.g. how to open a call for participants, how to find partner NAs, how to pre-select participants, etc.) You can find all the articles and tutorials here.

Links to Cooperation agreements

TCA/NET Officers meet regularly, online and in person. During the annual TCA/NET Officers meeting, several agreements among TCA and NET Officers to manage international activities smoothly have been made. The agreements should be respected and can be found here.

European Training Calendar for Youth: Calls for participants for all transnational TCA and NET activities are visible on the European Training Calendar which is visible on the SALTO website. (till the launch ETC on the old SALTO website)

Please note that also youth and volunteering organisations make use of this calendar to promote their own training courses. SALTO website is worth exploring - the SALTO Resource Centres provide plenty of tools and resources to support your work.

For online courses, such as Massive open online courses (MOOC), the HOP Online Learning Platform was developed. NAs staff - or the facilitators hired by them - can set up TCA and NET courses via this platform. Accessible for free. You just need to create a HOP account by clicking  here.

6. Annual and Multiannual Work plans

When planning and running TCA/NET activities, National Agencies (NAs) must follow the goals and actions set out in their strategic documents. These include the NA’s Annual Work plan (COM prefers the term Work programme) and Multiannual Work plan, which are submitted to the European Commission for Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps.

Each National Agency must send the Commission an annual Work plan. This programme turns the long-term strategy in the multiannual Work plan into clear, practical goals and planned activities. It also shows what resources will be used, such as budget and staff. The purpose is to help the NA management set objectives and indicators, plan and manage activities, and track progress during the year.

Each National Agency is expected to carry out the activities described in its annual work programme and to report clearly on the results in the NA Yearly Report.

7. TCA/NET through the year 
   

Below you will find visuals to help you understand the steps and tasks to be carried out in order to manage TCA/NET activities in the best possible way.

The TCA/ NET Cycle

Hosting TCA/NET activities

Sending TCA/NET activities 

Managing SNACs/LTAs

8. How to cooperate in the network to create qualitative TCA/NET activities?

You are working in a network of TCA/NET officers and it is important that we cooperate together and share similar practices in order to make the most out of our TCA/NET activities.

Your work with TCA/NET activities can concern:

• Sending participants to activities abroad, hosted by other NAs

• Hosting international activities

• Planning activities together with other NAs or SALTOs

• Financing activities from TCA/NET budgets

• Hosting national activities

Sending participants to activities abroad hosted by other NAs

For international activity organised by other national agencies, any resident of your country can apply to take part in an international activity. It is important that you always pre-select the applicants in your country before the given deadline. Read more here.

The criteria and procedures used to preselect participants from the applications received depend on the strategy and objectives defined by your NA and outlined in the Annual and Multiannual Work plans. For example, some TCA/NET Officers make the selection autonomously, others consult with Programme Officers, while some define a limited number of activities for which they are willing to support participation, etc.

Whatever the case, it is important that you only select participants that fit the desired participant profile by the Hosting NA.

Hosting international activities

It makes sense to plan hosting activities according to the strategy made in your Annual and Multiannual Work plans, and by respecting the needs of the youth work field and needs of the applicants or beneficiaries.

The Youth NAs network organises over 100 activities per year. As a general rule, it is good to be aware of what is already organised. You can find an overview of organised activities in the COOP platform.

You can organise international activities by:

• Planning a standalone activity on your own as an NA

• Planning a standalone activity in cooperation with other NAs, SALTOs or a SNAC

• Hosting a recurrent activity in cooperation with a SALTO or a SNAC

Planning activities with other NAs and SALTOs is useful when e.g.:

• many NAs are interested in the same topic

• you are working on a new topic

• when you are looking for expertise outside your own NA

Please note that each SALTO Resource Center, each SNAC, and the RAY project offer a wealth of resources to draw inspiration from SALTOs in particular produce a wide range of materials designed to support NAs in implementing their activity plans, so don’t hesitate to contact them and ask for support.

• you want to approach with more creativity a topic you’ve already worked on

Hosting a recurrent activity in cooperation with a SALTO or a SNAC can be particularly useful in several situations, for example:

• When you have limited time and human resources for implementing activities. Most recurrent activities are based on pre-existing formats and involve dedicated trainers, which can help you save both time and effort.

• When you wish to contribute to long-term capacity building in the youth field. These recurrent activities play a key role in strengthening youth work over the years. In particular, stronger NAs should bear in mind that they are expected to allocate part of their budget and efforts to hosting such activities, as smaller NAs may not always have the capacity to organise them regularly.

Some examples of this type of recurrent activity include Training of Trainers, SoliDARE, TOSCA, International Toolfair, and The Power of Non-Formal Education, among others. Some recurrent activities are organised by the network of NAs, but most recurrent activities are managed and co-organized by the SALTOs. See below some examples. 

https://saltonetwork.eu/salto-youth-training-and-cooperation/youth-workers-competence-development
https://saltonetwork.eu/salto-youth-training-and-cooperation/trainers-competence-development 
https://saltonetwork.eu/salto-youth-inclusion-diversity/training

Every project starts with planning and you should organise a planning meeting online or residentially. Planning meetings should host the colleagues from the interested NAs and the trainers or facilitators who will run the activity. In the planning meeting you:

-       agree the target group of the activity

-       what are the aims and objectives of the activity

-       what the training contains as in daily programme

A good way of finding interested colleagues to work with are e.g.

• discussing plans in the TCA/NET Meeting

• contacting colleagues (list of TCA/NET colleagues on SALTO website)

• contacting SALTOs

Financing activities from TCA/NET budgets

You can finance your activities by using only the TCA/NET budget in your own country.

For large events you may need more funds from other countries. You can always ask other countries to contribute financially to the costs of your activity.

-       You can contact colleagues from other countries by email and ask for their interest to contribute

-     If you want to receive money from another NA, you must make an agreement with them. Most NAs have different administrative procedures – they can be also complicated

o   agree with your colleague how the agreement is ma
de and signed

o   examples of agreement templates are here

-       You can also contribute to other NAs’ activities

o   especially if your country has a large budget, it makes sense to support financially smaller NAs

Hosting national activities

You can organise national activities based on the specific needs of your country. Organising this type of activity is useful for:

• Overcoming language barriers, which can sometimes arise due to English being the working language

• Addressing specific local or regional needs

• Linking TCA/NET activities with other youth policies being implemented in your country

9. How to develop TCA/NET activities that reflect the program’s priorities?

The Erasmus+ Programme Guide define the following Erasmus+ Programme Priorities:

1. INCLUSION & DIVERSITY

EU programmes aim to ensure that all diverse individuals can benefit from the opportunities. To achieve this, the programmes offer mechanisms and resources to help people overcome obstacles they might face to participate in the activities. These obstacles can be health issues, social or cultural challenges, economic or geographical barriers, educational disadvantages, discrimination, or any other barrier. European projects should be inclusive, accessible and embrace diversity in all its forms. They should reach out to different people and recognise the diverse backgrounds of participants as a valuable learning opportunity. It is important to foster an equitable and respectful environment in all projects.

2. ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Environment and climate degradations affect everyone. It is vital for people to understand these crises and to increase their know-how and their will to act for a more environmentally sustainable future. Promoting learning and actions for the green transition, both formal and informal, is a priority in the Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps programmes. European project activities should be environmentally friendly. They should promote sustainable responsible behaviour among the participants and the participating organisations.

3. DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IN EDUCATION, TRAINING AND YOUTH

The ongoing digital transformation continuously impacts our societies and economies. It creates new ways to learn, train, work and actively participate in society, entertain, and communicate. Digital skills and competences are the cornerstone of social inclusion, active citizenship, employability, productivity, security, and growth. The programmes contribute to more inclusive and cohesive, greener, and digitally fit societies. Europe’s innovation capacity, developing digital skills and competences and skills in forward-looking fields, such as combating climate change, clean energy, artificial intelligence, robotics, and big data analysis, is essential for Europe’s future sustainable growth and cohesion.

4. PARTICIPATION IN DEMOCRATIC LIFE, COMMON VALUES AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

Participation in democratic processes is essential for the growth and development of societies in Europe and beyond. This includes developing the necessary competencies and finding diverse ways to hear and address people’s needs. The EU programmes serve as a tool to overcome barriers and facilitate active engagement and participation. European projects should help everyone who is engaged to exercise their right to participate in decision-making and to develop the competencies needed for active citizenship. Projects should use participatory practices that motivate people to be actively involved and be planned together with different people.

For more details on the priorities: https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/programme-guide/part-a/priorities-of-the-erasmus-programme

To develop TCA/NET activities that reflect the programme’s priorities, several options are available:

• Reach out to the relevant SALTO Resource Centres (SALTO) responsible for specific priorities, in order to plan the hosting of a recurrent transnational activity based on an existing format (e.g., Volunteering for ALL course)

• Contact a SALTO to support you in designing a new activity, either national or transnational, on a specific topic you have identified, which is linked to one (or more) of the programme’s priorities

• Allocate a budget for sending participants to TCA/NET activities organised by other National Agencies or SALTOs, which are focused on programme priorities.

• Make use of available tools and resources provided by SALTOs or the European Commission to better align your TCA/NET activities with key thematic priorities in terms of content, methodology, and impact. We can highlight:
  

• ID Temperature Check Tool: tool to assess the inclusion and diversity efforts of your National Agency, with a specific part on Trainings & Events 
  
• Inclusion Meter: tool to identify all the barriers you could encounter when organising an inclusive event and tips to help you prepare for an event

• Green Public Procurement Toolkit: training course to enable the adoption and practical implementation of environmentally sustainable purchasing in the public sector. A specific module focuses on food and catering services.

• Hourrail is a website that offers train journey options between major European capitals. It’s ideal for encouraging participants of TCA/NET activities to choose a sustainable travel route for their trips.

• Theme Cards on Computational thinking, Digital well-being, Artificial Intelligence and Twin Transition, useful for designing activities on specific digital topics.

• Checklist and practical tips to make NA events more participatory by designing processes that support democratic participation.

• Planning for participation: reflection questions and tools to enhance youth participation in event planning (Chapter 12 of the Youth Participation Toolkit).
  

The booklet Unlock the Power of Priorities provides practical guidelines to help beneficiaries address Erasmus+ priorities in their international projects. Many of the recommendations are also highly relevant and applicable to TCA/NET activities, especially when designing content, methodologies, and formats that reflect the programme’s strategic objectives.

10. How to work with trainers and facilitators?

What trainers/facilitators do
Trainers are freelance professionals who can design, run and evaluate non-formal learning activities (such as training courses). They guide participants’ learning, create the programme, use suitable methods, and report on the results. Facilitators are also freelancers, but in charge of hosting the flow and group dynamics in other kinds of activities (such as seminars, partnership building activities, etc.).

• Trainer:
  Responsible for the learning journey. A trainer designs the educational programme, chooses the methods, delivers the sessions, and evaluates the outcomes. They focus on what participants learn (individual learning process, knowledge, competences).

• Facilitator:
  Responsible for the group process. A facilitator ensures good communication, participation, and collaboration within the group. They focus on how the group works together (atmosphere, dialogue, inclusion, shared decision-making).

It is common practice to include a preparation meeting between the NA (TCA/NET officer or other relevant staff) and trainers/facilitators when planning an activity. If the activity and trainers are new, this should be organised well in advance. For other activities it might be enough to arrive one day before the participants.

How trainers are selected
Trainers can be found through open calls, trainer pools, or the SALTO online database - TOY. Calls should be transparent, outline expectations (what skills, experience, language, etc. are needed) and selection criteria, and ensure a diverse, complementary team with clear roles.

You can always use the TCA/NET colleagues for support on how to make a call for trainers, to get recommendations where or to whom to distribute the call and how to do the selection.

Some NAs establish public procurements linking them to a pool of trainers for a defined period. If this is the case, you will not need to launch an open call for each activity. Instead, you must follow the conditions, selection rules, deliverables, and fees defined in the contract.

Contracts and fees
Trainers are contracted with clear agreements on tasks, deadlines, fees, expenses, and legal/tax rules. Fees usually cover both delivery and preparation/reporting days. Travel, accommodation and materials are also covered by the organiser (usually the National Agency), either directly or by reimbursement.

SALTO T&C has a suggestion on how to calculate the trainers’ fees based on set day fees:

• New activities: Daily rate × number of programme days × 2 (covers delivery + prep/follow-up/report)

• Recurrent activities: Daily rate × number of programme days × 1.5

The actual daily rate is negotiated between the NA and trainer. SALTO T&C currently use a daily rate of 350 € for years 2026-2027.

Trainers/facilitators must have a written contract, ideally sent at least 30 days before the activity. Examples of contracts can be found here.

Support and development
Some NAs maintain pools of trainers and support their competence development. The European Training Strategy led by SALTO T&C offers a competence model and training opportunities to ensure trainers keep developing their skills for international youth work.

11. How to recognize the learning outcomes of TCA/NET activities?

The most effective way to recognize the learning outcomes of TCA/NET activities is by using Youthpass, the European tool designed specifically for this purpose.

Youthpass is the key instrument for recognising learning in TCA/NET activities. It supports participants—often youth workers and stakeholders in the youth field—in reflecting on what they have learned during the activity, documenting their competences, and receiving a certificate that validates this learning.

Though Youthpass is widely known as a tool for recognising young people’s competences, using it in TCA/NET activities allows youth workers themselves to experience it. This encourages them to implement Youthpass in their own projects with young people, spreading a culture of learning recognition throughout the sector.

Using Youthpass:

• Supports reflection and awareness of personal and professional development—89% of participants say it helped them understand their learning.

• Adds value to future opportunities: 30% used Youthpass for further studies, internships, or jobs, and most found it helpful.

• Contributes to the recognition of youth work and non-formal learning across Europe.

• Encourages youth workers to apply Youthpass in their own practice, thus benefiting even more young people.

How to use Youthpass in TCA/NET activities?

1. Inform Participants Early: Let participants know before the activity (e.g., in the Infopack) that Youthpass will be used and explain its benefits.

2. Facilitate Reflection During the Activity:

• Plan regular sessions for participants to reflect on their learning.

• Use creative and interactive methods to support this.

• Facilitators should provide guidance and foster meaningful dialogue.

3. Support Self-Assessment:

• Help participants write their self-assessment describing their learning and developed competences.

• The online Youthpass tool includes sections based on the ETS Competence Model for youth workers.

4. Issue Certificates:

• Register the project on youthpass.eu, invite participants, and generate certificates.

• Certificates can be signed electronically or by hand and should include the participant’s self-assessment.

5. Voluntary but Supported:

• Using Youthpass is voluntary, but organizers must offer it and support participants throughout the process.

6. Follow-Up:

• Participants can complete their self-assessment after the activity if needed; offer guidance and follow-up support.

How can you issue Youthpass certificates?
You can have a look at the step-by-step guide and try out the certificate generation workflow on the demo website. For more information click here.

As said, Youthpass is a tool aimed at recognizing and validating skills. In this sense, it should not be requested by NAs as proof of participation in a TCA/NET activity or related to reimbursing the participants travel costs.

12. Acronyms and abbreviations

BM: Business Meeting - A semiannual informal meeting between the Heads of NAs to discuss common business in the network

Co-group: Coordination Group - A working group with selected Heads of NAs to further priority matters in the network

COM: European Commission/DG EAC

DEU: DiscoverEU 

DG EAC: The Directorate General for Education and Culture 
The Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture (DG EAC) is a department of the European Commission that works to improve education, youth & volunteering opportunities, sport and culture in Europe. DG EAC is responsible for the management of the EU programmes Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps. You can find more infos and an organization chart here: https://commission.europa.eu/about/departments-and-executive-agencies/education-youth-sport-and-culture_en

E+: Erasmus+ 

ESC: European Solidarity Corps 

ETS: European Training Strategy

HoNA: Head of National Agency

KMST: Knowledge Management and Staff Training
KMST aims to develop the competence and support the capacity-building of Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps National Agencies in the youth field, and through this, use strategically the E+:Youth and European Solidarity Corps Programmes in reaching the European and national youth policy objectives.

LTA: Long Term Activity

NA: National Agency 

NAM: National Agencies module
Platform used by NAs to complete their Work plans and to monitor activities. Depending on how the workload is distributed, updating NAM may sometimes be handled by TCA/NET Officers, but this is not always the case.

NET: Networking Activities 

RAY: Research-based Analysis of European Youth Programmes

RC: Resource Center (the SALTO for the European Solidarity Corps) 

SALTO: Support, Advanced Learning and Training Opportunities (also used as abbreviation of SALTO Resource Centre) 

SNAC: Strategic National Agencies Cooperation

TC: Training course

T&C: Training and Cooperation

ToT: Training of Trainers

Recurring activity held by SALTO Training and Cooperation

TCA: Transnational Cooperation Activities 

WG: Working Group

13. Possibilities for self-development as TCA/NET Officer

Some tools and support for self-development available for TCA/NET Officers and all those dealing with TCA/NET are: 

Meeting TCA/NET colleagues

According to the Guide of NAs it is mandatory to organise a yearly network meeting for TCA and NET officers. The TCA/NET WG organise this residential meeting once per year (until 2025, each March): it’s the TCA/NET Officers Meeting. It is strongly recommended for any TCA/NET officer to attend. Informal online meetings are also regularly implemented through the year.

As a TCA/NET Officer, you will receive invitations to join these meetings. If it is not done yet, please contact Mona Lorvik lorvik@jfemail.de from SALTO Training & Cooperation, to be sure that we have your contact details.

Besides partner matching and planning of activities, it is always important during TCA/NET meetings to use the opportunity to discuss TCA/NET-related topics, to exchange experiences, to share good practices and to analyse problematic situations. Joining the meetings is the best way to get knowledge, inspiration and motivation rooted in the spirit of working in the network. This is also the place where the main agreements are set on how the TCA/NET network cooperates throughout the year.

Apart from the meetings, you can find here the list and contact details of TCA/NET colleagues.

As a general rule, if something is not clear for you, there is only one thing left to do: contact / ask your colleagues. 

Always remember: there are no stupid questions.

Training Courses

There are numerous training courses - also available for TCA/NET Officers - that can be used to develop skills and knowledge. Depending on the interest and needs, one can seek for a specific TC organised by another NA and/or the SALTO network. To take part in a TC as an NA staff member, the approval from the head of the sending NA and an agreement with the hosting NA is needed. 

Please note that it is important to clarify with the partner NA who will pay the costs of participation and how the payment will be organised. Some NAs need to sign a contract in advance to be able to invoice other organisations and/or to pay the costs after the activity took place. As in this case the participation of NA staff in a TCA activity will not be in the role of trainer or facilitator, but of learner, the costs will have to be covered by the NAs’ operational budget.

The capacity building measures for NAs staff are provided by the KMST Working Group.

The Knowledge Management and Staff Training Working Group (KMST WG) is responsible for staff training and knowledge building of staff of National Agencies in the field of youth to strategically use the Erasmus+: Youth and the European Solidarity Corps programmes in reaching European and national youth policy objectives in a cohesive and consistent way.

Please note that KMST strategy is part of ETS strategy.

Job shadowing

TCA/NET officers - interested in how other NAs run TCA/NET activities, how the process is organised or how a specific part of it is implemented - can use the possibility to go for a job-shadowing to a chosen country. Such a project usually lasts from two to five days. After the approval of the HoNAs involved, the content, the duration and the costs are negotiated and agreed between the officers co-operating in the job shadowing. The costs linked to these activities need to be covered by the NAs’ operational budget (also called Management Fees) and cannot be covered by TCA/NET funds.

14. What if I need more help?

Resources on COOP platform: Background documents and guidelines on how to use the COOP platform are available here : https://support.tcanetplatform.com/portal/en/kb/platform

Administrative support: Questions related to access rights or administrative procedures can be addressed to support@tcanetplatform.com

Peer hotline: For practical questions on TCA/NET activities, Work plan, etc. you can contact the Working Group directly at tca@salto-youth.net

COM Teams has a channel for TCA Youth. You can ask your colleagues questions there or share some relevant information. 

EACSP-NA Dashboard allows NAs to create content or IT related tickets to COM. You can search for previously created tickets and COM answers to them. 

IMPORTANT - please do not create content tickets without checking other available resources (consultation with other colleagues, TCA/NET WG). COM answers to tickets are considered a “rule” and can forbid ongoing practices of other NAs.