YES Forum
YES Forum is a Stuttgart-based European network of 46 youth and social work organisations across 20 countries, coordinating Erasmus+ and Interreg-funded transnational projects to support disadvantaged young people through EU policy advocacy, capacity building, and project delivery.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersStuttgart, Germany
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What YES Forum does
YES Forum is a Stuttgart-headquartered European network organisation structured as an EEIG (European Economic Interest Grouping), founded in 2002, that convenes 46 youth and social work member organisations across 20 European countries to improve outcomes for disadvantaged young people. Its core deliverable is a portfolio of transnational EU-funded projects — including Generation LINK (2026-2029), EU Player (2024-2027), YES — Youth Empowerment for a Stronger Europe (2025-2027), Back On Track (2024-2026, Interreg Danube), and Zug um Zug — Train to Europe (2024-2027) — which produce tangible outputs such as board games (the 'Europe United' strategic game with Red Glove Edizioni), handbooks, training curricula, PhotoVoice methodologies, and youth-friendly EU policy documents. The organisation also operates advocacy and policy-engagement activities, contributing to the European Semester process, EU Youth Test consultations, and Civil Society Week, with formal recognition by the European Commission and Council of Europe as an expert body on disadvantaged youth and membership in the EESC Liaison Group and Social Platform.
The underlying technology footprint is conventional and project-supportive rather than product-defining: Microsoft Teams for events, a SharePoint intranet (yesirev.sharepoint.com) for member collaboration, Matomo for web analytics, Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) for email/newsletter automation, Discord for the Young Advocates Network, and YouTube for multimedia content. No proprietary software platform, AI/ML systems, or API integrations are indicated in the source material; the product portfolio is a set of discrete projects rather than a unified SaaS offering.
YES Forum's business model is grant-and-membership based and non-commercial. The dominant revenue stream is EU project funding from Erasmus+ (KA220-YOU, ERASMUS-YOUTH), Interreg Danube Region, and direct European Commission grants, supplemented by recurring membership fees from the 46 member organisations and recognition-derived professional-services contributions to European Semester consultations. There is no published pricing for end users; participation in projects and events is free for beneficiaries. Distribution is community-led through the member network (reaching 90 affiliated organisations across 22 EU Member States), event-driven (Policy Events in Brussels, Annual Events hosted by rotating members, YESpresso networking sessions), and partner-channel based through project consortia with organisations such as Caritas Europa, ÖJAB, BAG EJSA, CMO STAMM, and IEKEP.
YES Forum firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- YES Forum
- Legal name
- YES Forum EEIG
- Website
- https://yes-forum.eu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- YES Forum is a Stuttgart-based European network of 46 youth and social work organisations across 20 countries, coordinating Erasmus+ and Interreg-funded transnational projects to support disadvantaged young people through EU policy advocacy, capacity building, and project delivery.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
YES Forum industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Youth and Social Policy Advocacy Network
- NAICS
- Business Associations (813910)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Study Abroad Provider Networks, Consortia & Membership Organizations (EDAIAAAK)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Erasmus+ and Government-Sponsored Exchange Partnerships (EDAIABAJ)
Keywords
Where YES Forum is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Stuttgart
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
YES Forum business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- EU Project Funding: The primary revenue stream comes from EU-funded projects including Erasmus+ (KA220-YOU, ERASMUS-YOUTH), Interreg Danube Region Programme, and other European Commission grants. Projects include Generation LINK (Erasmus+ 2026-2029), EU Player (Erasmus+ 2024-2027), YES Project (ERASMUS-YOUTH 2025-2027), Back On Track (Interreg Danube 2024-2026), and others.
- Membership Fees: Revenue is generated through membership contributions from the 46 member organisations across 20 European countries. Membership is governed by the YES Forum EEIG constitution and provides access to network benefits, collaboration spaces, and collective representation at EU level.
- European Semester Consultancy: The organisation contributes to the European Semester process and receives recognition as an expert organisation in the field of disadvantaged young people by the European Commission and Council of Europe.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels10 records
YES Forum product offering
Product offeringCore offering
YES Forum is a European network of 46 youth and social work organisations operating across 20 countries, founded in 2002 and headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. The organisation delivers transnational projects funded primarily by Erasmus+ and Interreg, engages in advocacy with EU institutions (DG EMPL, European Parliament, EESC), and supports member organisations in implementing EU policies for disadvantaged young people, including NEETs and youth at risk of social exclusion. Core offerings include capacity-building trainings, policy events, project coordination, and the production of educational resources such as the 'Europe United' board game and youth-friendly EU documents.
Product overview
YES Forum is a European network platform for youth and social work organisations, not a traditional software product company. It offers a portfolio of transnational projects focused on youth empowerment and social inclusion rather than a unified software product or SaaS platform. Key projects include Generation LINK (intergenerational dialogue, 2026-2029), EU Player (game-based EU learning), YES (youth empowerment), Back On Track (NEET integration), CitiGenZ (EU awareness), READY (accessible EU documents), U.Pin (climate education), and various other initiatives covering topics from digital skills to vocational training. These projects operate as standalone programs with their own outputs (games, handbooks, training materials) rather than an integrated platform architecture.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Generation LINK A three-year Erasmus+ project (2026-2029) pairing junior and senior colleagues in reciprocal-mentoring tandems to improve intergenerational dialogue and coherence in the workplace. Targeted at youth and social work professionals and organisations.
- EU Player - Europe United Erasmus+ project (2024-2027) using the 'Europe United' strategic board game to teach young people about the European Union through role-playing and game-based learning. Targets youth workers, educators, and disadvantaged young people across partner countries.
- YES - Youth Empowerment for a Stronger Europe Erasmus+ project (2025-2027) strengthening youth engagement by promoting awareness of the European Union, democracy, and active citizenship through training and advocacy campaigns. Targeted at young people and Caritas network partners.
- Back On Track Interreg Danube Region project (2024-2026) fostering the (re)integration of NEETs in rural areas through mentoring programmes and digital training models. Targets disadvantaged young people in rural Danube Region communities.
- Zug um Zug - Train to Europe Erasmus+ project (2024-2027) reimagining mobile youth work through travel, training professionals and young people in mobile youth work methodologies across Germany, Italy, and Austria.
- READY Project creating youth-friendly and easy-to-understand materials on the EU including infographics explaining EU treaties and policies, designed to improve EU literacy among vulnerable youth.
- CitiGenZ Project fostering a sense of belonging to the EU among Generation Z, equipping young people with knowledge of the EU and means to become active European citizens through learning boxes, games, and workshops.
- U.Pin Project raising awareness about climate change and informing young people about EU Green Deal solutions through educational content disseminated via newsfeed-style channels.
- YES Forum Network Membership EEIG membership for youth and social work organisations, providing access to EU funding opportunities, policy advocacy support, transnational project partnerships, capacity-building webinars and trainings, and a SharePoint collaboration space. Currently 46 member organisations across 20 European countries.
Quantifiable outcome
- 80+ youth workers, young people, and professionals from 15+ countries engaged in 2025 Policy Event
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use YES Forum
Customer profileNamed customers13 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
YES Forum technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
YES Forum partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
31 partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.
- CMO Stamm (The Netherlands)coreProject partner in Generation LINK (2026-2029), a three-year Erasmus+ project on intergenerational dialogue. CMO Stamm contributes to pairing junior and senior colleagues in reciprocal-mentoring tandems to address workforce knowledge transfer challenges in youth and social work sector.
- Internationaler Bund (IB) Südwest, GermanycoreProject partner in Generation LINK (2026-2029), addressing communication gaps between generations in the workplace and knowledge exchange challenges in the youth and social work sector.
- Piteå Kommun (Sweden)coreProject partner in Generation LINK (2026-2029), contributing to improved intergenerational dialogue and coherence in the workplace across partner countries.
- EU Civil Dialogue Coalition (250+ organisations)flagshipYES Forum signed open letter to European Council calling for stronger social dimension in next EU budget, preserving ESF+ and ERDF as stand-alone funds, and protecting funding for social inclusion, child poverty, homelessness, and youth employment.
- Caritas Czech RepubliccoreProject coordinator of YES project (Youth Empowerment for a Stronger Europe, 2025-2027). YES Forum is a project partner contributing to youth advocacy training and campaign development.
- Caritas EuropacoreProject partner in YES project (2025-2027) focused on strengthening youth engagement in democratic life and promoting awareness of EU, democracy, and active citizenship.
- Caritas SloveniacoreProject partner in YES project (2025-2027) contributing to advocacy campaigns and youth empowerment activities.
- Caritas FinlandcoreProject partner in YES project (2025-2027) focused on intercultural exchanges and understanding diverse social realities within European contexts.
- European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)coreYES Forum is member of EESC's Liaison Group bridging civil society organisations and EU institutions. Co-organised 2024 Policy Event on Social Cohesion in Digital Transition with EESC and BAG EJSA.
- Social PlatformcoreActive member of Social Platform, the major European platform of NGOs working in the social sector. Participates in Social Rights are Human Rights events and campaigns.
- BAG EJSA (Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft Evangelische Jugendsozialarbeit)coreFounder member of YES Forum. Co-organiser of 2024 Policy Event and annual advocacy activities. 75th anniversary celebrations with regional gatherings in Regensburg.
- Civil Society Europe (CSE)coreJoined CSE and EESC Civil Society Organisations' Group in call for open, transparent, and regular dialogue with civil society (#EUCivilDialogueNow campaign).
- YES Innovation & ResearchcoreProject coordinator of Zug um Zug - Train to Europe (2024-2027), an Erasmus+ project reimagining mobile youth work through travel. YES Forum is a project partner.
- Associazione Gio.Net (Italy)coreProject partner in Zug um Zug - Train to Europe (2024-2027), contributing to mobile youth work methodology development across Germany, Italy, and Austria.
- ÖJAB (Austria)coreProject coordinator of Back On Track (2024-2026), funded by Interreg Danube Region Programme. YES Forum is a partner contributing to fostering (re)integration of rural NEETs in the Danube Region.
- South Muntenia Regional Development Agency (Romania)corePartner in Back On Track project addressing NEET integration in rural Danube Region through mentoring programmes and digital training models.
- ADEL SlovakiacorePartner in Back On Track project contributing to transnational cross-sectoral stakeholder network for rural NEET support.
- DEX Innovation Centre (Czech Republic)corePartner in Back On Track project focusing on innovative digital training models for rural NEETs.
- Development Association NERDA (Bosnia and Herzegovina)corePartner in Back On Track project contributing to stakeholder network and outreach strategies for rural NEETs.
- Pannon Novum West-Transdanubian Regional Innovation Nonprofit Ltd. (Hungary)corePartner in Back On Track project implementing mentoring programme and digital training tailored to rural NEET needs.
- Philanthropy, Charitable Foundation of Serbian Orthodox Church (Serbia)corePartner in Back On Track project contributing to stakeholder network and NEET outreach in rural areas.
- Foundation for Improvement of Employment Possibilities PRIZMA (Slovenia)corePartner in Back On Track project, organised first stakeholder workshop on unlocking NEET potential in Danube Region (48 participants).
- Human Innovation Group Nonprofit Ltd. (Hungary)corePartner in Back On Track project contributing to innovative approaches for rural NEET integration.
- ipcenter.at Ltd. (Austria)corePartner in Back On Track project bringing expertise in training and education for disadvantaged youth.
- Stara Zagora Regional Economic Development Agency (Bulgaria)corePartner in Back On Track project contributing to outreach and support for rural NEETs in Bulgaria.
- Ministry of Economy of Tuzla Canton (Bosnia and Herzegovina)corePartner in Back On Track project contributing to regional economic development approaches for NEET integration.
- Chamber of Commerce and Industry of SerbiacorePartner in Back On Track project contributing to labour market connections and employment opportunities for rural NEETs.
- IEKEP (Greece)corePartner in EU Player project (2024-2027) focusing on game-based learning about the European Union. IEKEP brings expertise in vocational guidance and training for disadvantaged youth.
- Zefiro (Italy)corePartner in EU Player project (2024-2027), hosted international training on gamification in Lucca (March 2026). Specialises in vocational training and non-formal education for vulnerable youth.
- Finglas Youth Resource Centre (Ireland)corePartner in EU Player project (2024-2027) contributing to youth engagement and EU awareness activities in Ireland.
- Red Glove Edizioni (Italy)coreProfessional educational game developer partnered with EU Player project to develop 'Europe United' strategic board game for EU education.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
YES Forum competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- European Youth Forum: The leading pan-European platform of youth organisations representing millions of young people; directly comparable to YES Forum as a membership-based youth network engaging EU institutions on policy, though broader in scope (general youth issues vs. disadvantaged youth).
- SALTO-YOUTH: EU resource centre supporting youth work and Erasmus+ / European Solidarity Corps quality and strategy; comparable as a youth-sector EU-network actor coordinating capacity building and project partnerships across Member States.
- Eurodesk: European youth information network with national member offices across Europe providing mobility information to young people; comparable as a Brussels-based European youth network coordinating national member organisations.
- ERYICA (European Youth Information and Counselling Agency): European network of youth information services with members across Europe; comparable in operating model as an EEIG-style European network coordinating national member organisations in the youth-work sector.
- Eurochild: European network advocating for children's rights and wellbeing, with members across Europe; comparable as a Brussels-based European NGO network engaged in EU policy advocacy for vulnerable young people.
- Youth for Exchange and Understanding (YEU): International non-governmental youth organisation coordinating youth exchanges and citizenship projects; comparable as a network delivering non-formal education and Erasmus+ youth projects across Europe.
Broad incumbents
- Social Platform: Major European platform of NGOs working in the social sector; YES Forum is an active member, and Social Platform is comparable as a broader EU-level civil society network engaging EU institutions on social policy.
- Lifelong Learning Platform: European civil society network promoting lifelong learning across all education sectors; comparable as an EU-level membership network engaging policymakers on education and youth issues.
Regional players
- European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA): European NGO with member organisations across Europe providing adult education and second-chance learning; comparable in advocating for disadvantaged learners and engaging EU institutions on education policy.
Emerging players
- Caritas Europa: European confederation of Caritas organisations working on social justice, poverty, and migration; directly comparable as a project partner on YES Project and 2026 Policy Event, with overlapping focus on disadvantaged young people.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
YES Forum social profiles
Digital presenceYES Forum financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
YES Forum leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
YES Forum funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
YES Forum M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about YES Forum
What does YES Forum do?
YES Forum is a European network of 46 youth and social work organisations operating across 20 countries, founded in 2002 and headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. The organisation delivers transnational projects funded primarily by Erasmus+ and Interreg, engages in advocacy with EU institutions (DG EMPL, European Parliament, EESC), and supports member organisations in implementing EU policies for disadvantaged young people, including NEETs and youth at risk of social exclusion. Core offerings include capacity-building trainings, policy events, project coordination, and the production of educational resources such as the 'Europe United' board game and youth-friendly EU documents.
Is YES Forum a public or private company?
YES Forum is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was YES Forum founded?
YES Forum was founded in 2002.
Where is YES Forum based?
YES Forum is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does YES Forum make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. EU Project Funding is the primary driver. The others are membership Fees and european Semester Consultancy.
Who are YES Forum's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are European Youth Forum, SALTO-YOUTH, Eurodesk, ERYICA (European Youth Information and Counselling Agency), Eurochild and Youth for Exchange and Understanding (YEU). Broad incumbents are Social Platform and Lifelong Learning Platform. European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA) is listed as a regional player. Caritas Europa is listed as an emerging player.
Does YES Forum have an API?
No public API is recorded for YES Forum.
What industry is YES Forum in?
YES Forum's product category is Youth and Social Policy Advocacy Network. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAIAAAK, Study Abroad Provider Networks, Consortia & Membership Organizations, with a secondary code of EDAIABAJ, Erasmus+ and Government-Sponsored Exchange Partnerships. Its NAICS code is 813910 and its SIC code is 8600.