European youth workers unite to empower youth and youth field– Youth worker is a lifestyle

There was a recognized need to establish and strengthen national youth workers’ associations to ensure a unified and influential voice for youth workers at all levels of governance. Additionally, there was a need to create spaces for peer learning and to enhance the quality of youth work. The project idea was based on the Declaration of the 3rd European Youth Work Convention (EYWC) and the expressed wishes of participants and stakeholders for the establishment of a strong social partner in the form of a European Network of Youth Workers. This project represented a significant step in implementing the European Youth Work Agenda. It emphasized the importance of including youth workers' perspectives in youth work and policy development. Through the project and its outcomes, the consortium also aimed to encourage better recognition of the youth sector, foster clearer political commitment, and strengthen links with stakeholders and researchers—elements essential for the growth and sustainability of youth work.

The project had 4 main objectives: 1) explore problems and best practices for political, professional, and learning-outcome recognition of youth work and enforce strategic communication of the youth field to improve recognition, 2) increase quality and innovation of youth work via improved peer learning, advocacy, training development, cooperation, between youth workers in Europe (both EU and COE countries); establishing stronger links between policy, research, and practice, 3) prepare, establish, and implement a European network/association of youth workers, based on green and innovative management and communication approaches. As well as analyze needs and possibilities for using (green and digital) tools for peer learning, advocacy, internal and external communication, management of the network, practice sharing between members of the network, 4) build the capacity of the network and its’ members, including development training packages and other necessary services to support national associations of youth workers and youth work quality development.

During the project implementation partner organisations have done two analyses to support the future actions of the organisations and wider range of stakeholders on the topic of recognition and the life of the youth workers associations. Consortium managed to create and test two MOOCs instead of 1 that was originally planned with aim to support establishment of new associations and as need for supporting already existing ones was realised the 2nd MOOC was created. As a main result project consortium established a European Association under the name - "Alliance of Youth Workers Associations" with members National Associations of Youth Workers and Youth Work providers. During the project a number of learning and training activities were organised to support working on results, to develop quality of work of the national associations and to introduce youth work on the political level. In the frame of LTTAs topics as recognition of youth work, ESG, digital management, strategic communication and other were explored. Several multiplier activities were done as well as transnational project meetings to ensure quality implementation of the project and dissemination of the results.

A European network association, the Alliance of Youth Workers Associations (AYWA), has been formally established, enhancing cooperation among National Youth Workers Associations. AYWA has emerged as a strong partner in youth policy and youth work development for European institutions. The project achieved several more outcomes: 1) Conducted a mapping of best practices for the recognition of youth work, addressing political, professional, and social recognition of the youth worker profession. 2) Produced a research report on the state of youth workers' associations in Europe, highlighting development challenges, practices, problems, and successes. 3) Developed and delivered a training program for newly established or emerging youth workers' associations or networks at the national level. In response to high demand from partners, an additional training course was created for established organizations. 4) Facilitated discussions, prepared documents, and completed all necessary steps for the establishment and registration of AYWA. 5) As an extra measure, additional discussions and documents were produced to ensure AYWA’s successful launch, including the creation of a code of ethics. 7) Even before the project concluded, AYWA began to operate as a sustainable entity, participating in various European-level initiatives, such as the steering committee for the 4th European Youth Work Convention. The project addressed numerous key topics for partners and the broader public, exploring (green and digital) tools that are now ready to be used for organizational management, capacity building, communication, and member training.