Conclusions
As a result of the thematic workshops, 164 conclusions were drafted by the participants at the 4th European Youth Work Convention. From these suggestions, 74 were selected as having strategic significate as to reinforce and inform the future of European youth work strategy, both at European and member State level.
These conclusions can be broadly grouped into three key pillars: youth work core, youth work environment and youth work systems.
Youth Work Core
These conclusions aimed to come to a consensus on the definitions and descriptions of youth work, look at the values and ethics currently present in youth work, as well as examine the visibility and recognition of your work across Europe. Quality and standards in youth work were also discussed in the group discussions, as well the importance of monitoring and evaluation the impact of youth work.
Key outcomes include:
European Code of Ethics to be established for youth workers
A reference framework to understand the societal role of youth workers and communities of practice
National legislation or policy frameworks to formally recognise youth work, supported by adequate funding
Support mechanisms and opportunities for professional development in youth work
Inclusive and participatory processes, with coordinated visibility efforts to better understand youth work
Youth Work Environment
These conclusions aimed to recognise young peoples’ needs and aspirations, in addition to exploring how youth work can support them. It explored the importance of advocacy in youth work, youth work as a profession, the role of volunteers and youth-led organisations, as well as methodologies and new technologies.
Core outcomes include:
Dynamic, flexible and sustainable long-term funding mechanisms to be prioritised and embedded into national budgets
Young people to be given agency and active leadership in the evolution of European youth work
Physical and digital youth workspaces to be established with the creation of formal channels for youth workers
Structured spaces for peer learning and cross-sector collaboration
Continuous professional support, including training and education for youth workers’ digital competence
Youth Work Systems
These conclusions examined the youth work system, looking at the importance of supporting sustainable voluntary services, youth work associations, their networks and service providers, as well as state/public sectors.
Key highlights include:
Sustainable funding, professional support and fair recognition of youth work volunteers
Youth space infrastructure to be maintained and adequately resourced through dedicated funding grants
All stakeholders, including young people, NGOs, youth and civil society organisation and political authorities (national, regional, local levels) to be equally involved in strategy building processes, implementation and evaluation
Member States to ensure stability and certainty of youth work funding in their programmes and services
More information about the three pillars can be found here >>
