Introduction

The Mobility Fund by Rail for the Young and the Disadvantaged (previously Solidarity Fund for Youth Mobility) is a fund that enables groups of European citizens from an underprivileged/disadvantaged background and part of an organisation to enrich their lives from an educational or cultural perspective through a mobility project between two or more countries.

Set up in 1994 between the Council of Europe and the International Union of Railways, the fund initially focused on young people from underprivileged backgrounds or economically underdeveloped areas and was intended to cover the rail travel of these young people participating in international events.  The fund has now widened its scope and is looking to fund projects that involve all age groups and not just young people.

The terms “group”, “underprivileged/disadvantaged background” and “mobility project” are defined further down this page as well as other requirements that need to be fulfilled.  It is essential that you pay particular attention to these factors - if your project does not meet the requirements your application will automatically be rejected.

The fund from birth till now

In September 2010, the “Solidarity Fund for Youth Mobility” changed its name to "Mobility Fund by Rail for the Young and the Disadvantaged".  The reason behind this name change is because the fund is no longer exclusively available for disadvantaged youth but open to any European citizens belonging to an organisation, seeking to enrich themselves culturally or educationally in a group and who are in some form or another, underprivileged.

The fund was born in 1994, commissioned by the European railway companies, and a Protocol of Partnership Agreement was signed between the Council of Europe and the international Union of Railways on 16 December.  The initial purpose of the agreement was to reduce the exclusion of the most disadvantaged young people by increasing their mobility, offering them access to international meetings, and developing the use of the InterRail card.

The fund was financed by the sale of InterRail cards.  For each InterRail card sold, 1€ would go towards the fund.  In the year 2009 alone, 130,000€ of funding was distributed to 27 organisations helping approximately 750 disadvantaged youngsters travel, many of whom had never stepped outside of their native country.

Who is it for?

The notion of disadvantaged is important as it is a key factor in whether or not your project receives any funding.  The term "disadvantaged people" englobes:

  • people from countries or regions which are lagging behind economically or which are undergoing serious recession causing high unemployment.
  • people who have not had the benefit of a full education or a university education, who have little knowledge of foreign languages, people who have recently been released from prison or who face financial problems.
  • people from peripheral regions, for whom the cost of travel is much higher than for young people living in the centre of Europe.
  • young apprentices who intend to take up a trade or craft activity, but who do not have sufficient finances to cover the travel costs for their training project.

In your application you are required to provide arguments as to why you believe your group is in an underprivileged/disadvantaged position.  If you are not disadvantaged your application will be refused.

What is a mobility project?

To prove that your project is truly a mobility project you will have to include the following elements in your application:

  • A precise definition of the aims pursued by the participants and, if appropriate, by the organisation.
  • Identification of the partners in the host country to which the participants will be travelling and, if appropriate, of the organisation.
  • An introduction to the host country and to the challenges of the intercultural situation.
  • Appropriate reception arrangements and accommodation which facilitates meetings and exchanges.
  • Formal and informal contact with local people.
  • Giving participants the opportunity, at the end of the project, to assess their experience and insights and to compare the project as a whole with the aims set out in the programme.

What is supported?

Only group projects are eligible for support, involving a minimum of 10 participants who can be from different countries.

The Fund may reimburse only international rail travel using INTERRAIL travel cards for disadvantaged people travelling to take part in an international mobility project.  If InterRail travel cards are unavailable in your country, second class tickets will be reimbursed.  Since the InterRail card is only valid in countries outside of your own, second-class rail travel to the country where the project is to take place will also be paid for. In exceptional cases and on the basis of a documented and well-argued request, the Management Board may derogate from this rule.

The travel costs by rail of accompanying persons may be reimbursed if the grant application concerns participants who are minors or whose situation requires supervision or assistance.

Certain costs, such as visas and insurance, cannot be included in the calculation of the grant.

Financial support offered by the Fund is made in the form of a grant, the amount of which is determined by the Management Board, paid to the applicant organisation on receipt of the original rail travel tickets purchased.  The financial support is in the form of a reimbursement, meaning that the organisation - or the participants - have to pay the travel costs in advance .

Youth Mobility Fund Website

For all information you can visit the MOBILITY FUND BY RAIL FOR THE YOUNG AND THE DISADVANTAGED (MFRYD) website more