Engagement strategies

Invite Alex to monthly strategy meetings to discuss ongoing challenges and successes in youth work. This builds a collaborative environment and keeps the dialogue open. Make sure you are punctual and the meetings are structured and productive.

Initiate joint projects with local youth organizations that highlight the impact of youth work. Invite Alex to be involved in the planning and implementation, showcasing the benefits of youth work in real-time. Assist Alex in identifying and applying for grants that can provide additional funding for such projects.

Offer professional development workshops focused on enhancing youth work skills and knowledge about integrating youth work policies into municipal frameworks. Provide Alex with the latest research and tools to overcome bureaucratic challenges. Create templates and guides for integrating youth work policies into municipal frameworks.

Create a greater front with youth organisations and facilitate direct advocacy communication for youth work by young people to municipal leaders through existing mechanisms (youth councils, youth advisory boards, youth forums etc.). Invite and encourage Alex to create such dialogue opportunities, emphasizing the empowerment aspect of youth work.

Advocacy communication messages

Collaborative success stories: "Our recent joint project with the local youth organization showcased the transformative power of youth work. By continuing to collaborate, we can secure additional funding and support, demonstrating the tangible benefits of our programmes."

Showcasing value to the municipality: "Youth work has a profound impact on our community. By leading these initiatives and engaging with youth directly, you are playing a key role in fostering a more inclusive and empowered generation."
"Enhanced collaboration with local organisations can open up new funding opportunities. Together, we can develop impactful initiatives that address the unique needs of our community's youth."

Professional Growth and Impact: "We understand the bureaucratic hurdles you face. Let's work together to streamline processes and integrate youth work policies more effectively within your department and municipality, ensuring that we can deliver impactful youth programmes without unnecessary delays.”
"Participating in professional development workshops will equip you with the latest strategies and tools to integrate youth work policies effectively. This will help you navigate bureaucratic hurdles and amplify the role of youth work in our municipality."

Evidence-base through direct engagement with youth: “We encourage you to spearhead the creation of dialogue opportunities for young people and municipal leaders. By showcasing the empowerment aspect of youth work programmes and highlighting the transformative power of youth engagement, we can gain the support of your supervisors.”
"Young people with direct experience of youth work provide evidence-based impact on their lives and that not only strengthens your initiatives internally but also provides measurable outcomes that can be presented to secure further support and funding."

Engagement strategies

Schedule a meeting formally to present youth work as a structured, legally backed policy area rather than an informal practice.

Prepare a case study highlighting the legal and financial benefits of investing in youth work. Use comparative analyses with other countries where youth work policies have improved governance and community outcomes.

Involve legal experts and policymakers who support youth work to gain her trust.

Provide policy briefs and structured policy proposals rather than broad advocacy messages.

Advocacy communication messages

"Youth work is already recognized in European policy frameworks, and many countries have successfully integrated it into national legislation. Strengthening this sector aligns with EU standards and can position our ministry as a regional leader in youth development."

"By developing a structured national youth work framework, we can access additional EU funding and reduce long-term costs associated with unemployment and social disengagement."

"In countries that have legally recognized youth work, youth participation in civic life increased by 30%, contributing to stronger local communities and reducing youth-related social challenges."

"Leading legal professionals and policymakers have already outlined best practices for integrating youth work into national policy. We can adapt these frameworks to fit our country’s context."

"Here is a legal draft outlining how youth work can be systematized within existing laws. It ensures accountability while creating growth opportunities for the youth sector."

Engagement strategies

When meeting, use relatable examples from sports. Compare youth work to team coaching, highlighting skill development, leadership, and resilience. Position youth work as a complement to sports rather than a competing initiative.

Invite Georg to a presentation to show practical benefits of youth work. Use real-life case studies from similar municipalities to demonstrate how youth work initiatives reduced unemployment and improved civic engagement.

Organize interactive sessions: Instead of policy discussions, host practical "Youth Work in Action" sessions where Georg can witness non-formal learning methods firsthand. Engage local teachers, coaches, and business owners to introduce youth work as a valuable investment.

Send an initiative for a cooperation with the municipality highlighting funding opportunities. Frame youth work recognition as a way to secure more funding for youth programs, including sports initiatives.

Advocacy communication messages

"Just like coaching prepares young athletes for success, youth work equips them with essential life skills, leadership abilities, and social engagement."

"Sports teach teamwork and discipline, but youth work builds broader competencies like critical thinking, creativity, and participation—helping young people thrive in different aspects of life."

"Municipalities that invested in youth work saw a 20% increase in youth civic participation. Structured engagement leads to fewer dropouts and better employment rates."

"Let’s try an interactive youth work exercise—this will showcase how non-formal education builds teamwork and problem-solving, just like sports training."

"When local educators and business leaders collaborate with youth workers, we create a support system that prepares young people for future challenges."

"By officially integrating youth work into our municipality, we gain access to EU funds that can expand both sports and youth development programs."

Engagement strategies

Organize policy integration workshops to discuss integrating youth work into health policies, emphasizing its role in preventive health and mental well-being. Invite Sarah to these workshops to gain insights and provide input. Support Sarah to initiate creation of a task force focused on youth health issues to facilitate inter-departmental coordination.

Develop presentations that highlight the positive outcomes of youth work on public health metrics. Identify case studies with low-to-moderate financial investment showcasing successful youth health programmes and their benefits. Share these findings with Sarah to support data-driven decision-making and secure her support for dedicated funding.

Facilitate multi-stakeholders forums with key stakeholders from health and youth sectors to discuss collaborative approaches. Encourage Sarah to lead these forums, fostering inter-departmental coordination and commitment. Also, support Sarah to facilitate partnerships between the Ministry of Health and youth organisations for collaborative programme development.

Implement pilot projects that integrate youth work into health initiatives. Use successful case studies to demonstrate the effectiveness of these projects and advocate for scaling up.

Advocate for the inclusion of youth perspectives in budget planning and policy-making processes and assist in preparing compelling budget proposals that justify the need for dedicated funding for youth health measures.

Advocacy communication messages

Preventive health through youth work: "Sarah, integrating youth work into broader health policies can significantly improve preventive health measures. By focusing on youth empowerment, we address mental health and promote healthy lifestyles, leading to better long-term public health outcomes."

Data supporting youth work funding: "Your commitment to data-driven decision-making aligns perfectly with our approach. Here are some impactful case studies and data that demonstrate how youth work initiatives have led to improved health outcomes. This evidence strongly supports the need for dedicated funding. Requested funding is modest and has great potential for significant return of investment."

Collaborative approaches for greater impact: "Leading stakeholder forums will not only foster better inter-departmental coordination but also highlight the Ministry of Health's commitment to youth empowerment. Collaborative approaches can amplify our impact and ensure comprehensive health support for young people."

Pilot project success: "The success of our recent pilot project integrating youth work with health initiatives underscores the potential for broader application. Scaling up these efforts will showcase the Ministry's innovative approach, effective resource management and commitment to youth development."

Youth perspective on health budget: "Involving youth perspective in budget planning will ensure proper prioritisation of initiatives. We already know that by prioritizing mental health support for young people, we can address a critical need and promote overall well-being. Early intervention is key to preventing future health issues. Still, their say on which support measures should be implemented urgently is crucial for the success."