The 2nd Webinar of the Youth Work Talks “Xcelerating the recognition of youth work offered a sneak peek into the 4th European Youth Work Convention (EYWC).

The Youth Work Talks series is an activity of the "Growing Youth Work" partnership, a Strategic Cooperation project of 16 National Agencies for the EU youth programmes and SALTO Resource Centres.

The Youth Work Talks series is an activity of the "Growing Youth Work" partnership, a Strategic Cooperation project of 16 National Agencies for the EU youth programmes and SALTO Resource Centres (SNAC). This exciting initiative aims to create a space for professional debate and reflection on the pressing issues surrounding the development of youth work, starting by focusing on the recognition of youth work.

Through a series of discussions, the Youth Work Talks aim to bring focus to the European professional debate on enhancing and strengthening youth work. Each Youth Work Talk centres around a key thematic issue, aligned with the European Youth Work Agenda and its eight priority areas.

In addition, to fulfil its aims, the Youth Work Talks partner up with other initiatives, events and institutions (such as the 4th EYWC), to stimulate discussions around the most relevant and impactful themes for enhancing and strengthening youth work.

The Youth Work Talks will be offered in various formats:

• Biennial residential European conferences started in 2023, 
• Webinars that delve into core topics of the European Youth Work Agenda, and
• Talk sessions integrated into existing events (if you want to host a session at your event, please contact us).

The government of Malta - Aġenzija Żgħażagħ (Malta's national youth agency) and the European Union Program Agency (EUPA) for Malta together with the EU-Council of Europe Youth Partnership, hosted the 4th European Youth Work Convention in Valletta, Malta, from 27 to 30 May 2025, under the Maltese Chairpersonship of the Council of Europe. 

Under the theme ‘Youth Work Xcelerate,’ this edition highlighted youth work as a powerful tool for empowering young people, fostering inclusion, and encouraging active participation. It intended to establish a European Roadmap to enhance the effectiveness of youth work and ensure its sustainability through national and European policies.

The European Youth Work Conventions, held every five years since 2010, are a driving force for innovation, collaboration, and policy development in youth work. Bringing together practitioners, policymakers, researchers, and youth organizations, they shape the future of the field by strengthening its foundations and setting new directions for growth and impact.

More information on the 4th EYWC is available here.