HOLA!

Working with Young People

The Value of Youth Work in the European Union

March 16th 2015

GAZTEMATIKARI BIDEA ZABALTZENPrepared for:

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Why this study?

23%

Young people face a number of risks:

6% 17%

Youth unemployment rate

6% rise in youth unemployment since 2007

18-24 NEET EU-27 2012

At EU level, young people have long been on the policy agenda

EU commitment recently strengthened

Youth work is an investment in young people

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Method

The study at a glanceExamine the scale, scope and value of different forms of youth work across the EU

for young people

Landscape of youth work

activities across the EU

How youth work contributes to EU objectives in the field of youth

Identify the critical success factors that underpin effective

youth work

Explore success stories illustrating how youth

work contributes to change

Country mapping/reports

in every EU Member State

EU level interviews

Case-studies

Literature review

SWOT analysisComparative analysis

Value of the sector across

the EU

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Youth work – What are we talking about?AIM: To offer young people meaningful activities based on the needs and interests of

young people

Bord

ers

with

ot

her p

olic

ies

Met

hods

Type

s

Org

anis

ation

s

Activ

ities

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Please tell me 10 words that characterise youth work

110 interviewees from the field (youth work organisations)

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What is youth work expected to provide?Meaningful activities based on young persons' needs and interests. Key features of the methods used by youth work are:• Non-formal and informal learning• Participatory and/or experiential pedagogy• Relationship-based activities (learning as a social activity with others)• Mentoring and/ or peer support

Youth work aims at young person's personal development

in particular it leads to:• self-determination• self-confidence • self-esteem• socialisation Personal development should lead to:

• Empowerment• Emancipation• Tolerance• Responsibility

These should in turn result in• Participation in democratic

societies• Prevention of risk

behaviours• Social inclusion and

cohesion

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Youth work – The legal framework and governance

Who is responsible?• Ministries for

education• Social affairs, children,

family welfare• Culture, sport and

youth

Legal Framework

Funding

Set the conditions/requirements for funding and

the eligibility of organisations to draw down public funding

Definitions

Defining youth work, youth

work activities, and youth

organisations and the

recognition of youth activities

Responsible Bodies

Identifying (or establishing) the bodies

responsible for youth work

Requirements for recognition

Requirements and

responsibilities of those who

wish to be recognised as

providing youth activities

Cros

s-go

vern

men

t gov

erna

nce

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Youth work – Political landscape

Policies Funding

Thematic priorities

Core prioritiesTarget disadvantage

Preventative youth workQuality youth work

Evidence-based practiceYouth work infrastructure

Active participation

Education and training

Health and well-beingVolunteering

Arts and Culture

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CHANGING DEMOGRAPHICS

Growing demandChanging age groups

CHANGING EMPHASIS

NEW AND DIFFERENT FORMATS

OnlineNew spacesNew technologies Decrease in traditional formsCollaboration with formal sector

Youth work – Trends during the last decade

Intervention based youth workShift from leisure to education and training

PROFESSIONALISATIONProfessionalisedStandards/TrainingVulnerable groups

EVIDENCE BASED

Return on investmentAccountability systems

COLLABORATION

Capacity buildingAccess to young peopleCreating influence

FINANCING AND FUNDING

More targeted, Linked to outcomes

INCREASING IMPORTANCE

Youth Policy FrameworksChanging policy paradigm

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Youth work – Who are youth workers?

Engaged in professional

development (often training offered by their organisations)

Volunteers or Remunerated staff – increasingly professional

Motivations:• Contributing to

the personal development of young people;

• Empowering young people;

• Learning from young people;

• Sharing the same common goals and/or beliefs

In need of greater recognition but

opportunities are increasingly offered

Conservative estimate: there are over 1.7 million youth workers in the EUThey are the key ingredient that makes youth work add value to young people and the society

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Youth work – Outcomes

Data Reach of youth work

Target groups

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 young person in 2 took part in some form of organised activity in

past 12 months

1 in 5 took part in youth club, leisure club, youth organisation activities

Eurobarometer data (2013)

Comparable data is not available

Where existent national data has important shortcomings (based on membership or participation in discrete activities, no break downs)

But reach can be expected to be important based on this Eurostat data:

But who is being reached?Mostly younger cohorts

Young people in urban areas

Insufficient reach of:

18+Rural areas

Migrant backgroundMinority groups

Disadvantaged

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Youth work – OutcomesIndividual level:

Develop skills and competences in a diverse range of areas (their human capital);

Strengthen their network and social capital;

Adapt particular behaviours;

Build positive relationships.

More generally:

Part of local areas social fabric – space for contact, exchange and engagement ;

Activities that are valuable in their own right

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Youth work – OutcomesEducation

and training

non-cognitive skills

better academic outcomes

alternative pathways for dropouts

educational/career guidance

opportunities for further development

Employment/ entrepreneur

ship

transversal skills demanded on labour market

Opportunity to practice skills in real settings

orientation of young people

matching young people and jobs

Health and well

being

Access to information and trusted advice

Changes in attitudes and behaviours

Raises self-awareness

Improved well-being

Participation

participation and involvement in democratic processes

Raises awareness

Develops critical thinking

Empowers young people

opportunity for self-expression

Volunteering

frequently volunteer led;

Fosters solidarity

voluntary engagement later on in life

Social inclusion

socialisation & a safe environment

Prevents exclusion

Targets specific groups

Combats negative perception of specific groups among general public

Youth and the world

Develops a skill set and attitudes

Raises awareness of human rights, development, global themes

Provides education for sustainable development

Culture

cultural participation

space for expression and creativity

intercultural understanding, health, well-being

Broad personal development impact

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Youth work – Let’s talk about successYouth

Worker/Young

person relationshi

p

Sustainability and

partnership

Experience life, make mistakes,

participate

Youth driven

learning and

autonomy

Commitment

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Youth work – Elements of successful youth work practice

Flexibility, accessibility and adapting to the needs of young people

Active outreach to

young people in need

of support

Learning opportunities and a

framework for goal setting

and recognition

Involve young people in

decision making and design

of activities

Reaching out to schoolsBuild partnerships

with other actors

Provide safe and supportive environment for personal

development

Enjoyable and fun setting for creativity and self-expression

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Youth work – Conclusions

Diverse forms of youth work covering a broad range of areas and topics

There are public funding programmes and policies

EU level support

Regulatory frameworks that govern provision

BUT

Gaps in the reach of youth work

Visibility of the sector

Lack of data and robust evaluations

Clear frameworks for professional development of youth workers largely absent

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http://ec.europa.eu/youth/news/2014/20140219-youth-work-study_en.htm