Thessaloniki Youth Club for UNESCO

What Thessaloniki Youth Club for UNESCO does

Thessaloniki Youth Club for UNESCO (Όμιλος για την UNESCO Νέων Θεσσαλονίκης) is an independent non-profit, non-governmental youth organization founded in June 2004 in Thessaloniki, Greece, with approval from the Hellenic National Commission for UNESCO. Operating with a lean team of 7 employees, the organization targets young people aged 13-30 across Thessaloniki, the broader Macedonia-Thrace region, the Balkans, and Europe, delivering conferences, seminars, workshops, volunteer actions, and non-formal education programs aligned with UNESCO principles, UN Agenda 2030/SDGs, and the EU Youth Strategy 2019-2027. Its core offerings include digital platforms such as Infoyouth.gr (a youth information and civil society actions portal launched 2019) and Meet Me (a Greek-language learning platform for Arabic speakers launched 2019), alongside a portfolio of EU-funded programs under Erasmus+ KA1/KA2/Jean Monnet, Europe for Citizens, DEAR, and Interreg (e.g., STEP, TOGETHER, KeyCode, Net-Neet, ENVI, Com'On Europe, Perform to Reform), plus cultural heritage initiatives such as the Απόψεις (Apopseis) oral history project and the annual ThessISMUN Model UN conference.

The organization's revenue model is grant-driven and non-commercial: services are provided free to youth participants, with operations funded primarily through EU programme grants (Erasmus+, Europe for Citizens, Interreg, DEAR), Greek government support (Ministry of Interior Macedonia-Thrace sector, Ministry of Education, General Secretariat for Youth), and modest voluntary membership contributions. Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, leveraging a volunteer and member network supplemented by partnerships with educational institutions, the Municipality of Thessaloniki, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, ActionAid Hellas, and over a dozen national and international youth networks. The organization holds distinctive designations including main partner of UNRIC for UN Youth Strategy 2030 in Greece and is the recognized implementation arm for the UN's International Year of Youth (2010-2011) and SDG promotion in the region.

Name

Thessaloniki Youth Club for UNESCO

Legal name

Thessaloniki Youth Club for UNESCO

Website

https://unescoyouth.gr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Thessaloniki Youth Club for UNESCO is a Greek non-profit NGO founded in 2004 that delivers EU-funded youth programs, non-formal education, and digital platforms (Infoyouth.gr, Meet Me) for young people aged 13-30 in Thessaloniki, the Balkans, and Europe, in partnership with UNRIC, Greek ministries, and Erasmus+ frameworks.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Services and Non-formal Education

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Child and Youth Services (624110), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGADAD

Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Education & Youth Development Nonprofits

SECONDARYBPAGADAJ

Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Education & Youth Development Nonprofits

Keywords

• Youth education programs
• Non-formal education
• Erasmus+ youth mobility
• Civic engagement initiatives
• Cultural heritage education

Headquarters

HQ city

Thessaloniki

HQ country

Greece

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. EU Project Funding: The organization receives funding from European Union programs including Erasmus+, Europe for Citizens, Interreg, and other EU-funded projects for youth mobility, training, and educational initiatives.
2. Government Support: Financial support from Greek government bodies including the Ministry of Interior (Macedonia-Thrace sector), Ministry of Education, and General Secretariat for Youth.
3. International Organization Partnerships: Support from international organizations including UNRIC (UN Regional Information Centre) for promoting UN initiatives and youth strategies.
4. Membership Contributions: Voluntary membership contributions and donations from members, volunteers, and supporters.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Thessaloniki Youth Club for UNESCO is a non-profit youth organization that delivers non-formal education, youth mobility, civic engagement, and cultural heritage programs for young people aged 13-30, primarily through EU-funded projects (Erasmus+, Europe for Citizens, Interreg, DEAR) and supported by Greek government ministries. Its core offerings include digital information platforms (Infoyouth.gr, Meet Me), volunteer internship programs, Model United Nations conferences (ThessISMUN), and acts as a local implementation partner for UN and EU youth strategies in Greece.

Product overview

Thessaloniki Youth Club for UNESCO operates as a platform of youth-focused programs and digital initiatives rather than a single commercial product. The organization's offerings include digital information platforms (Infoyouth.gr, Meet Me), multiple Erasmus+ and EU-funded project programs (TOGETHER, STEP, KeyCode, Youth Work and Youth Workers Across Europe, ENVI), cultural heritage initiatives (Απόψεις), educational publications, and volunteer internship opportunities. These programs operate independently while sharing the common mission of youth empowerment, intercultural dialogue, and promotion of UNESCO values.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Infoyouth.gr: A digital platform for informing and promoting the actions of civil society organizations, policies, and programs for young people aged 13-30, covering themes of youth, culture, human rights, environment, and education.

Products and services

• Infoyouth.gr A digital information platform for youth aged 13-30 covering topics of youth, culture, human rights, environment, and education. It aggregates information on actions, good practices, events, internships, training programs, and seminars from civil society organizations and national, European, and international services.
• Meet Me An educational platform providing materials for learning Greek for Arabic-speaking populations, free teaching with volunteers, and access to educational activity materials.
• KeyCode (Erasmus+ Program) A European educational program under Erasmus+ (2020-1-FR01-KA201-080108) that expands secondary school curricula with educational experiences enhancing key competencies based on empathy, active citizenship, and EU values for students aged 11-16.
• STEP (Erasmus+ Program) An Erasmus+ program focused on striving towards equal participation for young people across European countries.
• TOGETHER (Erasmus+ KA2) An Erasmus+ KA2 project aimed at developing social responsibility among academic community members, students, and academic staff for the integration of refugees and beneficiaries of international protection into higher education institutions.
• Youth Work and Youth Workers Across Europe (Erasmus+) An Erasmus+ project focused on research, documentation, and exchange of good practices related to youth work across EU countries, ensuring synchronized data and access to education and training for young workers.
• ENVI – Local Communities in Environmental Action (Interreg) An Interreg cross-border project focused on environmental protection, local community engagement, and sustainable development in the Greece-North Macedonia border region.
• Com'On Europe (Erasmus+) An Erasmus+ project aimed at fostering youth participation in Europe and democratic civic engagement.
• Net-Neet (Erasmus+) An Erasmus+ project addressing NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) youth through non-formal education and engagement.
• Perform to Reform (Erasmus+) An Erasmus+ project focused on performative arts and youth work methodologies.
• Urban Citizen Y (Europe for Citizens) A Europe for Citizens program project focusing on urban citizenship and civic engagement among European youth.
• EUBORCO (Europe for Citizens – Strand 2) A Europe for Citizens Strand 2 project for civic participation and European citizenship.
• Απόψεις (Apopseis) A cultural heritage mapping initiative collecting narratives about Thessaloniki's culture and history through oral storytelling, implemented under the 'DHMIOYRGOS' project.
• ThessISMUN An annual international student Model United Nations conference promoting youth engagement with global diplomacy and international relations.
• Volunteer Internship Program An unpaid volunteer internship program for 6 individuals aged 18-30, supporting UNESCO-themed activities, youth strategy initiatives, and organizational operations.
• Electronic Magazine/Newsletter A digital publication covering topics of culture, education, social sciences, communication, and information under the UN and UNESCO framework.
• Contacts for Common Future An international youth project bringing together young people and youth workers from neighboring countries since 2010 to promote cross-border cooperation.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1000 young people reached through non-formal education in multicultural environments
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• UNRIC (UN Regional Information Centre - Office for Greece and Cyprus)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Close cooperation with UNRIC for developing actions promoting the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 2030. The club was the main partner for the International Year of Youth (2010-2011) and is now recognized as main partner for UN Youth Strategy 2030 in Greece.
• Youth AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation on the international youth project 'Contacts for the Common Future' bringing together young people and youth workers from neighboring countries since 2010.
• Hellenic National Commission for UNESCOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe club was established with approval from the Hellenic National Commission for UNESCO in June 2004.
• Greek Federation of Clubs, Centers and Associations for UNESCOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember organization part of the national federation coordinating UNESCO-affiliated youth clubs in Greece.
• Greek National Youth CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the national youth council representing Greek youth organizations.
• Thess-Diktio (Network of Voluntary Organisations of Thessaloniki)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive member of the local network of volunteer organizations in Thessaloniki for coordination and joint actions.
• Greek Network of the Anna Lindh FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the Greek network promoting intercultural dialogue and Euro-Mediterranean cooperation.
• Euro-Med Youth PlatformcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the platform for youth cooperation in the Euro-Mediterranean region.
• European Network YouthnetcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the European network for youth organizations.
• Great Silk Way - International Youth OrganizationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the international youth organization for Silk Road cooperation.
• ActionAid HellascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organization of IVCO Thessaloniki 2021 (World Volunteering Congress) and joint initiatives for youth engagement and volunteering.
• Select Respect Network for Human RightscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the network promoting human rights education and awareness.
• Hellenic Platform for DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the national platform for development cooperation.
• Council of EuropecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipation in Enter! Youth Week and cooperation on youth rights and access to social rights.
• Municipality of ThessalonikicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint events including 9th Multilingualism Festival, World Refugee Day activities, and cultural heritage events.
• Aristotle University of ThessalonikicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Erasmus+ TOGETHER project for inclusion of refugees in higher education institutions.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Youth for Understanding (YFU): International non-profit operating student exchange programs worldwide. Comparable to the club's 'Contacts for the Common Future' youth mobility work and intercultural education focus, with a similar non-formal learning model.
• Erasmus Student Network (ESN): European student network providing Erasmus+ mobility support and intercultural engagement across universities. Closely comparable to the club given its shared Erasmus+ ecosystem focus, youth mobility and intercultural dialogue offerings, and presence in Thessaloniki.
• Eurodesk: European youth information network with national partner offices that inform young people about European opportunities. Functionally analogous to the club's Infoyouth.gr platform and youth information role, distributed across 36 European countries.
• ActionAid Hellas: Greek branch of international anti-poverty NGO and co-organizer of IVCO Thessaloniki 2021 with the club. Comparable as a Greek NGO focused on youth engagement, social inclusion, and EU-funded development projects.
• Greek National Youth Council (ESYN): National council representing Greek youth organizations. The club is a member of ESYN, and they are direct peers as Greek youth civil society actors representing youth interests and coordinating with EU/international youth bodies.
• Anna Lindh Foundation: Euro-Mediterranean intergovernmental foundation promoting intercultural dialogue, of which the club is a member of the Greek Network. Highly comparable mission around youth, intercultural dialogue, and Euro-Med cooperation, though operating at a foundation/governmental scale.

Broad incumbents

• European Youth Forum: Pan-European umbrella of youth organizations advocating for young people's rights and representing them at EU level. Comparable to the Thessaloniki Youth Club for UNESCO as a youth-focused civil society actor engaged in EU policy implementation and youth mobility, though at much larger scale and as a network rather than a local implementer.
• European Solidarity Corps (ESC): EU program offering young people volunteering and solidarity projects across Europe. Comparable to the club's volunteer mobility and youth engagement activities, with similar Erasmus+ ecosystem parentage but operating as an EU program rather than a Greek NGO.
• SALTO-YOUTH Resource Centres: EU-supported network of resource centres providing training and resources for youth workers within the Erasmus+ Youth in Action programme. Highly comparable as a youth non-formal education and capacity-building ecosystem, though as a EU-wide resource rather than a Greek implementer.

Regional players

• Youth Alliance: Serbian youth organization that has co-implemented the 'Contacts for the Common Future' cross-border project with the club since 2010. Direct co-implementation partner and regional peer focused on youth civic engagement and Balkan cooperation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/UNESCO.Youth.Club.Thessaloniki
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/thessaloniki-youth-club-for-unesco

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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