Dortmund / Brussels. Where do we really stand when it comes to the spaces in which young people organise participation and democracy? What needs to change to secure European youth work in the long term? The policy paper “Young Voices for Youth Work” provides answers to these questions.
The document is the result of a collaborative process: young people from nine European countries have jointly outlined their vision for sustainable, well-funded, and inclusive youth work in Europe. They demand systemic changes in European youth policy.
From Practice to the Political Stage
The young authors are active in international youth projects within the framework of Generation Europe – The Academy. They come from Finland, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, and Ukraine. Their engagement in local youth groups and collaboration in European projects has changed their lives. But they also experience the flip side: underfunded youth centres, overworked professionals, and bureaucratic hurdles that exclude exactly those who need support the most. The policy paper takes stock of this reality and sends out an urgent appeal to decision-makers in Europe.
From their grassroots perspective, the young people spent several months researching, conducting interviews, evaluating questionnaires and writing. Back in November, they presented their first draft in Brussels and discussed it with representatives of the EU Commission, the European Parliament, and major umbrella organisations. After incorporating the feedback, they are now publishing the final result.
28 Recommendations for Resilient Youth Work
The paper’s message: The future of youth work is inextricably linked to the future of our democracies. In times of multiple crises and an increasing threat to democratic values, the spaces where young people grow into active citizens are more important than ever. Youth work provides a crucial framework for debating, acting collectively and participating meaningfully. However, these spaces are threatened by systemic problems.
In total, the young authors present 28 specific recommendations for action to secure youth work as a pillar of democratic societies. Their policy recommendations relate to the following areas of action:
- Access, Inclusion & Participation: Youth work must be accessible to everyone, regardless of background, educational path, or financial means. The paper calls for binding action plans to eliminate barriers to participation, EU-wide monitoring to address underrepresentation, and better support for multilingualism and the mental health of young people. Young people should be empowered as co-creators of the youth projects in which they are active.
- Legal Frameworks & Recognition: Youth work is unequally recognised across Europe. European institutions and Member States must create coherent legal standards to guarantee the protection and status of youth work in all EU countries. Young people and youth work professionals must be actively involved in policy-making. The paper urges binding dialogue formats ensuring that grassroots voices flow into political decision-making processes.
- Professionalisation: Youth workers are the backbone of the sector but suffer from precarious working conditions. The paper demands the establishment of clear career paths, Europe-wide recognised qualifications, fair wages, and labour rights to stop the drain of talent and secure the quality of youth work.
- Sustainable Funding: The current European funding landscape, which primarily finances short-term projects, is wearing down organisations. A fundamental shift towards a hybrid funding model is necessary, establishing regular operating grants as a fixed component of programmes like Erasmus+.
Being Heard
“Youth work is not a hobby, but indispensable democratic infrastructure,” says Jocelyne Jakob, Managing Director of the International Association for Education and Exchange (IBB e.V.). The Dortmund-based association coordinates Generation Europe – The Academy, the European network and funding programme in which the authors are active. “I am incredibly proud that these young people have now translated their practical experiences into such well-founded political demands. They impressively demonstrate what participation and democratic education really mean. These young voices must be heard in Brussels and in the national parliaments! We at IBB will do everything to continue organising dialogue between the grassroots and politics.”
What Happens Next
The publication of the paper falls into a decisive phase. Preparations for the next Erasmus+ programme generation and negotiations on the future Multiannual Financial Framework of the EU are currently underway in Brussels. From now on, the policy paper will be fed into political processes.
Generation Europe – The Academy invites all policy makers, organisations, and professionals in international youth work: Read the paper, share the demands, and join the dialogue with us! Together, we can secure the framework conditions for an active, inclusive European civil society.
Do you also believe that youth work needs to be strengthened on a sustainable basis? Share the Policy Paper in your network! To stay up to date on the further steps of the campaign, follow us on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter.