The preparatory seminar took place on 11, 14, 15 February 2022 and gathered 30 representatives from 12 organisations coming from Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Moldova, North Macedonia, Portugal, Slovenia, and Spain.

The purpose of the online preparatory meeting was to bring together the successful applicants who will hold COMPASS NRTCs in 2022, and those who were shortlisted for possible grants if financial resources become available later this year.

The Youth Department of the Council of Europe seeks a special relationship with the organisers of NRTCs, where they are considered as partners who have a common goal in promoting the values and skills of Human Rights Education in relation to the Council of Europe’s Human Rights Education Youth Programme, in various areas of the European Cultural Convention (the Council of Europe's international treaty to strengthen, deepen and further develop a European culture, using local culture as a starting point).

During the three-day online preparatory seminar, participants clarified their expectations and responsibilities toward the Council of Europe. The partner organisations were introduced to educational programme elements, methodology, and administrative, technical, and financial issues related to the successful implementation of the courses. They were introduced to the Handbook for Organisers of COMPASS NRTCs which guides them in quality preparation, implementation, and follow-up activities.

Further, they were introduced to the work of the Council of Europe on Human Rights Education and synergies with other activities in the Youth for Democracy Programme, notably the Youth Campaign for Revitalising the Democracy and other relevant opportunities planned for 2022 which can be linked at national level for the promotion of Human Rights Education in the partner organisations’ respective countries.