United Societies of Balkans

United Societies of Balkans (USB) is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation established in Thessaloniki, Greece, in 2008 by a group of young people sharing a common vision of active participation, social change and stronger cooperation across Europe and the Balkans.

USB works in the fields of youth, adult education, vocational education and training (VET), volunteering, human rights, social inclusion, intercultural dialogue and active citizenship. Its mission is to empower young people and other groups, particularly people with fewer opportunities, through education, mobility, volunteering, participation and community-based initiatives.

The organisation works with young people, youth workers, educators, adult learners, VET professionals, volunteers, civil society organisations, local authorities and vulnerable groups, including migrants, refugees, Roma, LGBTQI+ people, unemployed people and residents of rural or disadvantaged areas.

USB operates through a multidisciplinary professional team with expertise in European project management, education, youth work, volunteering, finance, communication and community engagement, supported by external experts and a strong network of volunteers and members. It also maintains close cooperation with municipalities, civil society organisations and European networks, allowing its projects to connect European priorities with needs identified at grassroots level.

Since 2008, USB has developed extensive experience in the design, coordination and implementation of European and international projects in Youth, Adult Education, VET, volunteering, inclusion, human rights and active citizenship. The organisation has implemented more than 500 programmes and activities, reaching over 10,000 beneficiaries through local, national and international initiatives.

USB is active across Erasmus+ Key Actions, including Youth, Adult Education, VET, Capacity Building, participation projects and Sport, as well as the European Solidarity Corps (ESC), CERV, Creative Europe, AMIF, Council of Europe and other European programmes. Its activities include youth exchanges, training courses, adult-learning activities, VET mobility and cooperation projects, volunteering programmes, workshops, research, capacity-building activities, awareness campaigns, policy dialogue and community interventions.

Non-formal and experiential education are central to USB's methodology. Activities address topics such as human rights, inclusion and diversity, intercultural learning, democratic participation, mental health and wellbeing, digital skills and media literacy, gender equality, culture and arts, environmental awareness, employability and community development.

USB has particularly strong experience in international mobility and volunteering. Over the years, it has hosted and supported thousands of young people in Greece and facilitated the participation of thousands more in mobility opportunities abroad. Particular attention is given to participants with fewer opportunities and to creating accessible and inclusive learning environments.

At local level, USB works closely with municipalities, schools, civil society organisations and community groups. Through its educational and community spaces in Thessaloniki, it organises workshops, seminars, volunteering activities and public events, while its extensive communication channels and networks enable project results and opportunities to reach a broad audience locally and internationally.