The Youth Partnership launched the first edition of the MOOC on Youth Work Essentials in 2020, ahead of the 3rd European Youth Work Convention. Since then, the course has been available on a continuous basis as a self-directed learning experience.

Looking ahead to 2026-2028, the course will continue to be updated, promoted, and offered as a self-paced learning opportunity. Efforts will also focus on expanding outreach – in terms of enrolment and course completion rates – by, for instance, incorporating learner feedback, embracing emerging trends in digital education, such as micro-learning, etc. In parallel, the Youth Partnership will continue to organise masterclasses throughout the programme period.
 

 Objectives

The MOOC on Youth Work Essentials aims to:

  • Offer a self-directed and updated learning experience on the basics of youth work (concepts and definitions, forms, practices, approaches, objectives, actors at European and national levels) and European youth work.
  • Provide an overview on how youth work is supported (through policies and strategies, research, education of youth workers, funding, etc.).
  • Create a platform for sharing further examples of diverse good practices existing in Europe and beyond.
  • Engage youth workers, youth researchers, trainers, educators, volunteers, youth organisations, policy makers, researchers, etc. in a dialogue on youth work.
  • Promote the most recent work of the Youth Partnership and of the partner institutions in the field of youth work.
     

 Expected outcomes

  • Updated course content and audiovisual materials, with enhancements to improve accessibility and learner engagement (e.g. modular structure, shorter units).
  • Organisation of masterclasses, in line with the needs of the youth work community of practice.
  • Strengthened visibility and dissemination of the MOOC across youth policy, practice, and research communities in Europe.
  • Monitoring and evaluation of the course, with improvements informed by learner feedback.
     

 Indicative timeline

2026

Update of the course content and audiovisual materials, based on the results of the 4th European Youth Work Convention

Masterclass

2027

Masterclass

Evaluation of the course

2028

Masterclass