Illustration by Coline Robin

Edito

by Lorena Barić

European Youth Work Convention

Time to accelerate. Time to make connections. Time to imagine what’s next.

Every few years, the European youth work community comes together for something truly special: a true moment of collective reflection, celebration and vision. As the 4th European Youth Work Convention gets ready to open its doors in Malta, this issue of Coyote magazine invites you to join us – not just for the stunning view over Valletta’s historic harbour from the Mediterranean Conference Centre, but for the energy and momentum driving youth work forward in Europe today.

In these pages, you’ll meet thinkers, doers, policy makers, researchers and practitioners who bring to life the complexity, courage and creativity that define our field. From policy developments and critical reflections to big picture visions and snapshots from the grassroots, each article is a piece of the youth work ecosystem of people and practices evolving together.

We are looking back, yes. But more than that, we are looking around and looking ahead.

This issue underlines the continuous progress since the last convention in Bonn: the strengthening of the European Youth Work Agenda, growing national ecosystems and a fresh wave of appreciation for youth workers. At the same side, we recognise the real challenges: the shrinking of civic spaces, the precarity of youth work in the majority of places and the need for greater cohesion between levels and sectors.

And yet the enthusiasm in this field remains as lively as ever. Even if Wi-Fi does not connect (as our Spiffy comic shows us), youth workers are leading the way as agents of change. Whether supporting disadvantaged young people, developing democratic engagement or piloting innovative practices, the youth work pulse remains alive throughout villages, towns, cities and institutions across Europe.

With a new road map on the horizon and conversations about future European Union and Council of Europe strategies already underway, now is the time to bring clarity to our shared values and priorities. And in doing so, we cannot forget to ask the big questions. What kind of youth work does the future need? What spaces, skills and support do youth workers need to thrive? How do we stay relevant in a rapidly changing world?

This issue doesn’t have all the answers, but it offers something just as valuable: real voices, real ideas, and plenty of inspiration.

To all of you reading this, whether you’ll be at the convention in Malta, tuning in from afar or busy working in your local youth centre – thank you. For your work. For your hope. Because youth work isn’t just about supporting young people-it’s about shaping the future together.

So, let’s step into this new chapter together - curious, courageous and caffeinated. Because the future of youth work isn’t something to be predicted. It’s something to be co-created.