European Academy on Youth Work (4th Edition)

The European Academy on Youth Work (4th edition) has the aim to connect, reflect, and explore how youth work can move forward in times of uncertainty.

How can youth work move forward in times of uncertainty? With inspiration from practices, inputs and joint reflections, the next Academy will be a space to strengthen the youth work community and inspire new ideas and initiatives for the future. We are inviting 150 participants from across Europe and to bring the 4th edition of the Academy to life! If interested, read on for more details.

The 4th EAYW event follows the successful three editions, which were organised in May 2019, 2022 and 2024 in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, and brought together professionals from youth work practice, research, policy and related fields, including institutions supporting youth work at different levels.

This edition focuses on how youth work can move forward in a context shaped by ongoing disruption and uncertainty, including rapid technological developments, climate and societal challenges, and wider pressures on democratic systems. The Academy will create space for learning, sense-making, community-building, and identifying practical next steps for youth work in different contexts. Key objectives of the event are to:

• Celebrate the Academy’s efforts and achievements.

• Build knowledge & capacity around the themes of future-oriented thinking, innovation and change.

• Support youth workers’ collective resilience and sense of agency.

• Create space to reflect on how youth work can move forward in times of uncertainty.

• Strengthen the youth work community and inspire new ideas and initiatives for the future.

The programme combines plenary sessions that explore big cross-cutting themes like change, innovation, resilience, and agency – creating shared space for collective reflection and sense-making that frames the more focused conversations. Participants then go deeper in Deep Dive sessions on selected topics, while practical youth work tools and methods for future-oriented work are introduced throughout (including moments like the Bonfire & Market evening). The event will also feature inspiring inputs from both within and beyond youth work to spark fresh perspectives, alongside dedicated time for community-building, networking, and joint reflection.

The EAYW targets youth workers and professionals from all fields related to youth work practice, policy and research.

(Quelle: www.eayw.net)