The Partnership Event is a meeting of the Partnership Network, a coalition of Scout and Guide Associations, which aims at fostering, strengthening and developing new partnerships between associations in Europe and associations from other regions of the world. The overall idea of the network is to share and create information about on-going partnerships, as well as to provide a platform for the exchange of experiences and knowledge. A continuous reflection on the relevance of partnerships, as well as the promotion of inter-cultural understanding and mutual respect are central elements of the Partnership Network.

Scouting Nederland and the European Region of WOSM, on behalf of The Partnerships Network and in cooperation with their troika, are pleased to invite you and your partner NSOs/NSAs to the Partnerships Event, which will be held from 12-15 March 2015 in Soest, The Netherlands.

What?
In line with the overall aims of the Parntership Network and the Partnership Event, at this particular Partnerships Event, the objectives will be:

• Creating new partnerships or strengthening the ones already existing with Scout and Guide organisations from other Regions, and especially with the Inter-America Region – WOSM and Western Hemisphere – WAGGGS that will be invited to participate to the event;
• Promoting exchange of experiences, information, tools, best practices and success stories regarding Partnerships with other Regions in Scouting and Guiding;
• Promoting a multilateral approach towards Partnerships on topics of interest to the NSOs/MOs and strengthen the coalition already existing such as Unguvu;
• Evaluating your partnerships from all dimensions.

With whom?
Inter-America Region – WOSM and Western Hemisphere – WAGGGS are particularly invited to attend the event. We are therefore kindly encouraging all the NSOs/NSAs and MOs that have already developed partnerships with NSOs/MOs of this Region to invite their partners to attend this event. The Partnerships Event is indeed a good place to create dialogue with other Regions of the world and to understand better the needs of each partner.

Some financial support for the participation of NSOs from the Inter-America Region of WOSM can be provided upon request. For more information on this support, please contact Jesus Arenas (jarenas@scout.org) for Inter-America NSOs/NSAs and Marguerite Potard (mpotard@scout.org) for European NSOs/NSAs that wish to invite their partners.

Planning Team
The Planning Team is composed of members of Scouting Nederland and of consultants of the European Region of WOSM coming from Scouts et Guides de France (SGDF, France), Savez izviđača Hrvatske (SIH, Croatia) and Verband Christlicher Pfadfinder und Pfadfinderinnen (VCP, Germany). One staff member from Scouting Nederland and one from the European Regional Office of WOSM support these volunteers.

When?

The event officially starts on Thursday, 12 March 2014, at 16.00 hours with the session of introduction for new comers and ends on Sunday, 15 March 2014, at around 14.00 hours.

Where?
The event will be held at the Stayokay in Soest (Bosstraat 16, 3766 AG Soest). The venue is easily accessible by train from the different airports in The Netherlands (Schiphol Airport (Amsterdam), Eindhoven or Rotterdam (The Hague Airport). Participants will be accommodated in dormitories of 4 beds.

There are possibilities to be accommodated in twin or single bedrooms for an extra fee. The prices will be communicated upon request. Please contact the hosting team at partnershipeventnl@gmail.com if you wish to have this specific accommodation.

More information will be provided directly to all the participants when their registration is confirmed.

Participation fee
The participation fee for the event is EUR 230. This fee does not include travel cost to reach the venue. You will be provided with the necessary information on how to make the payment prior to the event. We will also count on your financial support to your partner associations.

An answer to the Erasmus+ funding application is expected by January 2015. The partners to the grant will benefit from a reduced participation fee and support for travel costs. Notification of the status of the grant and funding available will be sent directly to the partners as soon as possible.

Languages
The working language of the Partnerships Event 2015 is English. However, we encourage participants to help each other with translation.

Insurance
Scouting Nederland and the European Region of WOSM do not cover the participants, neither during the event, nor during the travel to or from the venue for any insurance. Please note that it is the exclusive responsibility of the participant’s national association to check and be sure that the participants are covered by insurance (illness, accidents, repatriation etc…).

Inscription
Please register online for the meeting before 10 January 2015, using the following link: http://www.cvent.com/d/94qynt/4W

Visa procedure
Requests for invitation letters for visa applications have to be completed in the online registration. Please send an email to partnershipeventnl@gmail.com for any further information concerning the procedure to get a Visa. Please remember that at least 15 working days are required for a Schengen visa.

Contact
If you have any questions regarding the Partnerships Event, please do not hesitate to contact the organising team: Marguerite Potard (mpotard@scout.org) or partnershipeventnl@gmail.com.

We are looking forward to welcoming you in Soest in March 2015 and will get back to you soon with more information regarding the Partnerships Event!