The report “The State of Play of National Processes Within the European Youth Work Agenda Implementation” was published recently by JUGEND für Europa, the German National Agency for Erasmus+ Youth, Erasmus+ Sport and the European Solidarity Corps on behalf of the cooperation project “Growing Youth Work”. The researcher Dr Frederike Hofmann-van de Poll was contracted to undertake this survey and produce an analysis of the results, comparing them with a similar survey from 2023.
by Nik Paddison
In her report, Frederike informs us that there are a total of 33 countries recorded to be engaged in the Bonn Process now, a number that according to data is continuing to increase.
The report itself is an analysis of 24 national processes and offers new insights into the progress and challenges of youth work development across Europe. It also has the advantage of having many respondents to the survey from both 2023 and 2024. This has meant being able to have consistent data comparisons for 21 of the national processes.
The survey included questions about stakeholders, priority areas, implemented and upcoming activities, as well as needs for support and mutual learning.
The report is in four sections, the first analyses the findings on the development and coordination of the EYWA implementation process in the different countries. The second looks at the developments within the eight priority areas of the EYWA. The third section focuses on the challenges stakeholders face when implementing the EYWA and their needs in terms of coordination and support. Finally, the fourth section critically reflects on the findings in general and presents several conclusions.
Some of the core points the report highlights are as follows.
There are more responses coming from South-East Europe, and Eastern Europe and the Caucasus than Western European countries. This may be due to the stronger reliance on European frameworks in regions where youth work structures are still developing, unlike in Western Europe where such structures are generally more established.
Frederike also noted that there is a shift in the perception of progress. Many respondents felt that there is less progress at the country level than there is at the European level. Interestingly, those who took part in both surveys, 2023 and 2024, view more progress happening at the local level. The report concludes that actively shaping national processes supports progress at the local level over time.
Recognition, in its various dimensions - self, social, political, and formal - remains a critical area within the EYWA. It not only stands as a priority area on its own but also serves as both a precondition and an outcome for other priority areas, underscoring its central role in the effective implementation of youth work policies.
The report proposes taking a closer look at this horizontal connection between recognition and the other priority areas - where is recognition an area in its own right and where does it function as an outcome in other priority areas?
Another significant issue is the lack of research and knowledge about youth work, particularly in understanding the specific needs and challenges within individual countries. Addressing this particular gap will be crucial for more effective policy-making.
The interaction between different governance levels - European, national, regional, and local - remains a complex issue. The survey results show that local authorities are often seeking advice from the national level, however, it also shows that there is a call for stronger advocacy from the European level to support both national and regional efforts.
It should also be noted that there is a clear difference between the need for support from the European level (practical support materials, thematic events and peer-learning formats) and from the national level (information and thematic events).
There is an interest to explore and further develop the role of formal education in youth work offers (most notably schools) and in the training and education of youth workers (most notably higher education institutions).
Some other key challenges are, that the EYWA implementation process appears complex to many, there is an overall lack of political interest, there is a need for more resources, and many are experiencing a low level of cooperation.
The EYWA continues to drive significant developments in youth work across Europe, particularly in prioritising quality, promotion and recognition, and policy frameworks. The survey results emphasise the importance of tailoring the EYWA to the specific contexts of different countries, rather than adhering to a one-size-fits-all thinking. Having this approach can really enhance the relevance, developments and impact of youth work at national and local levels.
As preparations for the 4th European Youth Work Convention in 2025 continue, it is essential to further explore how the EYWA can be adapted to diverse national, regional and local contexts. Upcoming events, such as the “3rd Exchange Forum on the European Youth Work Agenda.
Boosting national processes for youth work development” in November 2024, may provide critical opportunities to address these ongoing challenges and refine strategies for the future.
The full report is available here.