On 2-6 November 2009, YSAFE (IPPF EN youth network) members from 10 countries gathered in Brussels for the kick-off meeting of the 'Youth Link' project. This project aims to build a strong alliance between YSAFE and the European Youth Forum (YFJ)

During the first five days of the event, 14 YSAFE members attended a Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) training to gain the appropriate knowledge and skills in order to integrate SRHR into their advocacy work. This training based on the youth volunteer training modules recently developed by IPPF EN was co-facilitated by Doortje Braeken, CO Senior Adviser Adolescents/Young People; YSAFE member and trainer Aleksandra Vuckovska and Regional Office staff. The training enabled participants to clarify their values on sexual and reproductive health, develop further knowledge and acquire new skills in addressing questions around SRHR issues as well as to reflect on their work as young volunteers.

On the last day of the meeting, representatives from 5 YFJ organisations and YSAFE representatives were given the opportunity to share their common values and areas of work and to strategize their partnership.  They agreed upon a common vision that all young people in Europe and Central Asia are empowered and granted sexual and reproductive rights in order to live healthy and fulfilled lives. The upcoming advocacy activities with a focus on the SRHR of vulnerable young people will contribute to the implementation of the SAFE policy guide that aims at guiding policymakers and programmers to create a more youth-friendly SRHR policy environment for young people.

At the end of the training, the participants developed a joint Plan of Action for joint advocacy work at national as well as European and Central Asian level.

Following this first meeting, the participants will share the results within their own networks to involve more young SRHR activists and to realize  joint activity plans.