The Youth Partnership works on promoting, developing, and strengthening quality youth work and the social, political, and formal recognition of its contribution to youth participation and social inclusion of young people.

It supports the implementation of the European Youth Work Agenda namely by facilitating the dialogue within the youth work practice community. It also contributes to the heightened recognition of youth work and supports initiatives of the European Union and the Council of Europe on youth work through research and activities.

The Youth Partnership also supports the organisation of the European Youth Work Conventions. 

What is youth work and how is it defined? Who is involved in it and how does it benefit young people? Where does youth work happen and based on which principles? What are the policies, programmes and funding that recognise it and support its quality development? The booklet Youth work essentials gives an overview of the main features of youth work in Europe and offers tips on European standards, resources, networks and programmes that contribute to the development of youth work at all levels.