Quality assurance

Youth Work belongs to the framework of non-formal and informal learning. However, there is no quality assurance framework up to nowadays, as the concepts of Youth Work and Youth Worker is not institutionalized and has not yet been established within a standalone legal framework in Greece. Taking into account that Youth Work is linked to non-formal learning, the relevant competent authority for matters of recognition and certification of qualifications is the National Organization for the Certification of Qualifications and Vocational Guidance (E.O.P.P.E.P.). Through the National Qualifications Framework (see Section 6.4 ), Lifelong Learning is conducted attractive and the qualifications obtained from learning pathways, including non-formal and informal learning, are assessed, validated, recognized and ranked at the levels of the National Qualifications Framework.

Research and Evidence supporting Youth Work

In the framework of the actions of the European Year of Youth 2022, the General Secretariat of Vocational Education, Training and Lifelong Learning organized an online event on  “Youth Work: the road to recognition”, during which presentations were delivered on the Greek and European dimensions of youth work, with the participation of public authorities, civil society organizations, and higher education institutions.

The discussion on the institutional recognition and qualitative upgrading of Youth Work continued in the following years through training initiatives and European partnerships. Indicatively, within the framework of the Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps programmes, capacity-building training activities for youth workers are implemented in Greece by the Youth and Life-long Learning Foundation – INEDIVIM, acting as the National Agency. These include thematic seminars and networking activities, such as the training seminar  “Building Resilient Communities: Youth Work and Natural Disasters”.

Regarding funding, a significant share of the available resources for actions related to Youth Work derives from the Erasmus+ 2021–2027 programme, particularly through Key Actions 1 and 2, which support learning mobility, the training of youth workers, and cooperation partnerships. At the same time, national or co-funded initiatives in the field of youth policy and non-formal learning are also implemented, where applicable. 

Participative Youth Work

The  Local Youth Councils constitute an institutionalized mechanism for youth participation at local level, providing young people with the opportunity to engage in dialogue with local government authorities and to highlight issues concerning youth. Their operation is foreseen by the institutional framework for strengthening youth participation in local governance (Law 3443/2006), while their activity develops according to the initiatives and needs of each local community.

At the same time, participatory forms of Youth Work are also implemented through European cooperation and youth participation projects. Indicatively, within the framework of the YOUROTRIP project, funded by the Erasmus+ – European Youth Together programme, local youth groups were established in various European countries, including Greece, focusing on young people’s participation in shaping policy proposals on the environment, recycling, and the circular economy. In this context, policy papers and awareness-raising actions on climate change were developed at both local and European levels.

"Smart" youth work: youth work in a digital world

Within the framework of the Erasmus+ programme in the field of Youth, training activities and educational seminars are implemented at European level, aiming at the development of Digital Youth Work and the strengthening of the digital competences of those working with and for young people. These activities are organized periodically and are primarily addressed to Youth Workers, non-formal education trainers, and youth organizations.

Indicatively, they include:

• Massive Open Online Course (MOOC): designed for youth workers and trainers from all over Europe, who are involved in non-formal learning and are willing to learn about digital Youth Work. It takes place online with the ZOOM and Canvas platforms. 

The objectives of the seminar are: 

o Providing knowledge about digital Youth Work in Europe 

o Supporting the development of digital Youth Work through examples of good practices and the provision of practical tools o Supporting the exchange of good practices on digital Youth Work 

o Connecting organizations and individuals interested in the development of digital Youth Work 

• InnoCamp – Develop your Digital Youth Work Services: a training activity that encourages youth organizations to develop innovative digital services and to integrate digital dimensions into their activities.

  • Youth@Work 4.0 #DigComp for the Youth Work Sector at National Level: it addresses all young people from 18 years of age who want to cultivate digital skills and use them in the Youth Work sector. More specifically it is addressed to those who: 

o are youth leaders, youth workers, trainers, facilitators and trainers in the youth sector 

o represent youth organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations and youth centers from higher education organizations 

o are interested in developing Youth Work methods and tools in digital skills 

o are involved in youth projects to develop youth employment and entrepreneurship 

• Training & Cooperation Activities (TCA) – Digital Youth Work Cycles of European seminars and workshops implemented in cooperation with the National Agencies of Erasmus+, aiming at the exchange of experiences, the networking of organizations, and the development of digital practices in the youth field.

At the same time, the European Solidarity Corps supports the digital transition through projects and activities that enhance digital literacy and the acquisition of digital skills by young people and youth organizations.

Finally, within the framework of the operation of the Lifelong Learning Centres under the supervision of the Youth and Life-long Learning Foundation – INEDIVIM, non-formal education programmes are implemented that include thematic units related to new technologies, digital literacy, and the use of digital tools.