This section of the Visible Value aims to provide a quick overview of the state of the affairs about the recognition of youth work in the countries covered by EU-CoE Youth Partnership. In total it covers 53 country profiles (including 3 profiles for Belgium and 4 profiles for the UK).

The content in this section is based on several sources, including:

The sources of information are indicated at the end of each profile.

Back France

In France, youth work does not have a strict definition and refers to different realities and professional practices. However, it is associated with the sector of "sociocultural animation". The socio-cultural animation sector is part of the non-formal education sector. In recent years, it has undergone many changes both professionally and legislatively: professionalization and progressive institutionalization in a context of increased needs for animation, involving new issues and also changing professional practices.

There is also no agreed definition of socio-cultural activities. On the one hand, according to the INSEE (the French National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies) list of occupations, sociocultural and leisure activities (l’animation socioculturelle et de loisirs) “develop and introduce projects for activities, often within institutions […] organise or help to organise activities designed around: either the social inclusion of certain population groups and the improvement of social relationships between their members; or, more generally, promoting cultural life within communities.”

Providing socio-cultural activities, which is currently known as “facilitation”, genuinely supports individual and collective development and social inclusion. Through non-formal activities and educational, cultural, leisure as well as preventive practices, facilitation fosters social connections and provides training for other types of learning, particularly of a non-formal nature.

Since the 1950s, the facilitation sector has gradually become professionalised until, in the 1980s, it became an occupational sector with its own system of certifications and qualifications. Its role as a sector that serves social, cultural, educational and leisure interests was then clear.

Facilitation relates to a number of fields (health, culture, leisure, social inclusion, etc.) and applies to the whole population: adults, the elderly, children and young people. However, the children and youth sector is one of the main areas where facilitation takes place.

Youth workers known as “facilitators” work with children and young people, for whom they develop and carry out activities. They work within associations and organisations in the field of (informal) “youth and non-formal education”, and also within the State-regulated ACMs “Community Centres for Minors” (“accueils collectifs de mineurs”) which operate outside school hours (during holidays and in leisure time), and are provided by the public authorities.

The status of youth workers may vary, and may not be equally recognised. Facilitators may be volunteers (bénévoles), employees or local officials. Their status is defined by the qualifications they hold. The training system is based on three types of qualifications: non-professional, professional and academic qualifications.

It must be stressed that qualifications are not required for socio-educational activities. In fact, the law allows employers to recruit unqualified staff; however, they must ensure that 80 % of supervisors “have degrees, qualifications or certificates that appear on the list drawn up by the Minister for Youth”.

Non-vocational qualifications relate to voluntary activities. Nevertheless, they play an essential role in terms of access to the professional activity sector.

Non-professional certificates: Most of the facilitators’ qualifications awarded by the Ministry of Youth consist of the BAFA - Facilitator’s Certificate of Aptitude (Brevet d’aptitude aux fonctions d’animateur) and the BAFD - Director’s Certificate of Aptitude (Brevet d’aptitude aux fonctions de directeur). Around 50,000 BAFA qualifications are awarded each year; this number has remained the same for 20 years. Fewer BAFDs are awarded; in 2018, there were 2,344. These qualifications are mostly awarded to women, who made up roughly 70% of those who obtained the BAFA/ BAFD in 2016.

The Validation of Learning through Experience (validation des acquis de l'expérience) is an individual right that is listed both in the Labour Code and in the Education Code: "anyone who works has the right to have their professional experience validated, to obtain a diploma, a professional title or a certificate of qualification."

It is thus aimed at anyone who wishes to have his/her professional achievements or experience as a bénévole recognised in the form of qualification or professional title. The VAE is open to everyone, regardless of age, status (employees, artisans, bénévoles, the self-employed, temporary workers, etc.) or required levels of training. The only requirement is proof of at least one year of experience which is directly related to the content and level of the qualification a person wishes to obtain.

Only vocational qualifications listed in the RNCP - National Register of Professional Qualifications (Répertoire National des Certifications Professionnelles) can be obtained via the VAE.

(From the Youth Wiki)