Founded in 2005, N.I.C.E is an informal networking event that takes the form of an open forum of topics relevant to youth circus (exchanges, skills training, training for trainers, social circus, artistic and the European Voluntary Service scheme) with the aim of creating solidarity in the wider youth circus sector. N.I.C.E. Seminars have been held in Berlin, Paris, Tampere, Amsterdam, London, Hertogenbosch and Aarhus The information gained is disseminated by the delegates and/or by each country’s national umbrella (network) to help build a bigger and stronger youth circus sector. The N.I.C.E. Seminars aim to enrich the knowledge of all the participants through activities (presentations, demonstrations, discussion forums, workshops, performances) that address learning objectives, support the exchange of experiences, expertise and good practice between those active in youth work and youth organisation as well as the establishment of long lasting, high quality projects, partnerships and networks. Aims of previous N.I.C.E. Seminars have been to find ways through shared experiences to • help young people to develop new abilities and skills through artistic education and the universal language of circus • build performance skills and to find pathways into the profession • create networking opportunities and to learn by experiencing and sharing different cultures • work with target groups with special needs • use a common interest in circus to fight racism, discrimination and exclusion The N.I.C.E. Seminars facilitate, educate and inform a wider understanding of the role that Circus can play in the development and training of young people throughout the EU, enhance the participant’s skill and knowledge base and encourage a broader understanding of the benefits that an activity such as circus can bring to young people and the organisations they represent. All 50 partners are drawn from the wider European Youth Circus Sector. To ensure the continuation of the work achieved by the annual N.I.C.E. Seminar, a balance of old and new delegates are invited to join in the wider discussions about the role of young people and circus within the European Community.