Building on the rich experience and outcomes of the Steering Group for the 4th European Youth Work Convention (2024–2025), this coordination activity aims to continue the work in a revised format and mandate through the creation of an EU-Council of Europe reference group on youth work development.

This reference group will serve as a platform for dialogue and regular exchange of information between the European Union and the Council of Europe, and key stakeholders active in youth work development at European level. It is rooted in the shared commitments of the two institutions, as reflected in the European Youth Work Agenda and will build on the roadmap following the 4th Convention European Youth Work Convention. The Youth Partnership will ensure synergies and complementarities between the members on the follow-up of the Convention’s conclusions and roadmap at European level. Members will share their commitments, initiatives and actions, as well as support communication and the promotion of the Convention’s outcomes. The reference group will also contribute to the implementation of the Youth Partnership’s youth work activities planned for 2026–2028.

Participants may include representatives from the Council of Europe, the European Commission, the Advisory Council on Youth (CCJ), the European Steering Committee for Youth (CDEJ), the European Youth Forum, the Alliance of Youth Workers Associations (AYWA), SALTO Resource Centres, the network of Erasmus+ National Agencies, and others engaged in advancing youth work across Europe. EU and Council of Europe’s presidencies will be invited to attend. The reference group’s mandate and membership are expected to be further defined in early 2026.
 

Objectives

The reference group on youth work development at European level aims to:

  • Contribute to the definition and implementation of the Convention’s roadmap, as well as to the promotion, dissemination, and practical application of its conclusions.
  • Support coordination, information sharing, policy alignment and implementation action among European-level stakeholders.
  • Foster synergies and complementarities among actors involved in youth work at the European level, and avoid duplication.
  • Contribute to a shared vision for youth work development at European level, guided by the roadmap and conclusions of the 4th European Youth Work Convention.
  • Promote the work of the Youth Partnership across Europe and support it where relevant, especially in the context of the communication action to promote the importance and value of youth work across Europe.
     

Expected outcomes

  • Terms of Reference outlining the group’s mandate, membership criteria, and operational procedures (to be finalised in early 2026, in collaboration with the partner institution).
  • In-person / online meetings will be held annually, with summary reports capturing the state of play of youth work developments, the implementation of the 4th European Youth Work Convention’s conclusions and roadmap, as well as stakeholder updates at the European level. These meetings will be task-based and require members to actively shape and deliver youth work development initiatives through their organisations and networks.
  • A joint meeting of the EU-Council of Europe reference group and network of national correspondents on youth work to take stock of progress made since the last Convention, assess achievements, and begin shaping ideas and priorities for the next one.
  • Development of communication and multimedia content (videos, podcasts, infographics) to support dissemination and accessibility of the 4th European Youth Work Convention’s outcomes, if need be.
     

Indicative timeline

2026

Communication and media content related on the Convention’s results, if need be.

Two meetings of the EU-Council of Europe reference group (in person/online)

2027

Two meetings of the EU-Council of Europe reference group (in person/online)

2028

Meeting/seminar of the EU-Council of Europe reference group together with the network of national correspondents on youth work (in person)

Meeting of the EU-Council of Europe reference group (online)