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. Rooted in the shared commitments of the two institutions, and as reflected in the European Youth Work Agenda, this group will also build on the roadmap following the 4th Convention European Youth Work Convention to ensure synergies and complementarities between the members.
 

 Objectives

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

  • Contribute to the definition and implementation of the Convention’s roadmap and applying its conclusions in practice.
  • Support coordination, information sharing, policy alignment and implementation action among European-level stakeholders.
  • Support the Youth Partnership’s work, and foster synergies and complementarities among actors involved in youth work at the European level.
  • Contribute to a shared vision for youth work development at European level, guided by the 4th European Youth Work Convention.

 Expected outcomes

  • Terms of Reference outlining the group’s mandate, membership criteria, and operational procedures.
  • Annual meetings 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.
  • A joint meeting of the EU-Council of Europe reference group and network of national correspondents on youth work to review progress since the last Convention, evaluate achievements, and start outlining priorities for the next one.
     

 Indicative timeline

2026

 

Two meetings of the EU-Council of Europe reference group

2027

Two meetings of the EU-Council of Europe reference group

2028

Joint meeting/seminar of the EU-Council of Europe reference group together with the network of national correspondents on youth work

Meeting of the EU-Council of Europe reference group