CRIJ (the Regional Youth Information Center) in Hauts-de-France

CRIJ (the Regional Youth Information Center) in Hauts-de-France is an association which informs young people on different matters affecting them: including studies/training, job, accommodation, health, rights, every day life issues and leisure time (sports, culture..), volunteering, transport and international mobility. For that purpose, our organisation edits many traditional information materials such as sheets, booklets, guides as well as digital news feeds (on our website, social networks, mobile application) and creates animation tools (exhibitions, games etc.). As these cover a wide range of issues and problems, CRIJ is organised to respond directly to a large number of topics (where the term "generalist youth information» comes from), and when necessary we refer the young people to an organisation or service which is competent in the desired area. The information we provide is practical, reliable, pluralistic, accurate, understandable and regularly updated. CRIJ receives college, secondary school, university students, parents, professionals, young people in career transition or job-seekers. Proposed services are provided on an anonymous basis, free of charge and open to all young people without exception, without an appointment. As providing infrmation to young people is a public policy function, defined and guaranteed by the State. The French State labels the organisations which form the Youth Information network: Youth Information Centers and Points. It coordinates and supports their development, with the assistance of the local and regional authorities.These reception venues are integrated into existing organisations which assure their functioning and development (such as social centers, city councils, local missions, youth cultural centers). As the network leader, our organisation manages, coordinates and trains a regional network of about 100 Youth Information Points. The work related to the European and International aspects and to promotion of mobility makes integral part of the CRIJ everyday activities.We are a member of the European network Eurodesk. Every month CRIJ organises and participates in workshops, open hours, different events and forums related to international mobility (for instance, IJ café "Time to Volunteer", « Destination : Australia and New Zealand », « Destination : Canada », Human Library of Mobilities, Week of International Solidarity, Month of Europe in May...). At the same time, CRIJ is in charge of the "Information" Axis of "Ready To Move!", mobility platform in Hauts-de-France region, which aims at improving and facilitating access to international mobility for young people of the region, especially those with fewer opportunities. Our main project aiming at promotion of the international mobility of the young people is FCM Youth Mobility Makers platform which unites different ressources for young people in order to prepare their project to go abroad, such as placement offers, other young people feedback on their international experience, accomodation, list of organisations proposing different services to help young people succeed their project to volunteer, do an internship or study abroad. Since 2019 we send and host volunteers in order to promote FCM Youth Mobility Makers on social networks and abroad.