The AER programmes are an integral part of the AER’s identity and raison d’être, by enabling:

• Opportunities for young people, from quality paid traineeships to participating in international events and expressing policy recommendations, and engaging in capacity-building;
• Inter-regional peer-learning opportunities between regions, especially through the exchange of experience and best practices;
• Cross-border cooperation, partnerships and a sense of European belonging across European regions, who work together to deliver the programmes’ objectives and activities, and the added value they bring to their region.

Current AER programmes

Eurodyssey – The AER’s flagship youth mobility programme operating between the participating regions since 1985. It provides quality paid traineeships, together with accommodation and language training, as well as cultural and social activities, to young people in these regions.

Summer Academy – The AER’s biennial forum dedicated to the exchange of experience and best practices between European regions, with a particular focus on youth involvement. The AER Summer Academy 2022, “A Europe for the Next Generation”, was laureate of the European Citizen’s Prize for Ireland.

Youth Regional Network – The AER’s cross-regional youth platform, promoting active youth participation at regional level. The YRN provides young people with opportunities to express policy recommendations, to foster debate and capacity-building, to exchange good practices, to reach out to decision-makers and to influence policies.

Past AER programmes

• Observatory on regionalisation
• Centurio: a mobility exchange programme for civil servants at regional level