Historical Developments

A historical review of Youth Work in Greece, or as it is usually called socio-educational work for young people, dates back to the 19th century and is associated with the first organized forms of social welfare and education for young people in the newly established Greek state. Based on the study Youth work in Greece: a historical perspective, Youth work in Greece can be viewed as a social practice that has evolved over time. The first phase covers the period 1900–1974, the second phase spans 1974–2000, and the third phase begins in 2000 and continues to present. 

During the period 1900–1974, social welfare structures for young people were developed, such as orphanages in urban centers, reflecting the social and historical conditions of the time. At the same time, educational institutions and technical schools were established, such as the Polytechnic School (1837), which, although not forms of Youth Work in the modern sense, demonstrate early state concern for young people. Gradually, the state assumed a more active role through interventions such as the regulation of child labor and the establishment of compulsory education. During the same period, forms of collective youth action also emerged, including sports clubs, student unions, and cultural and religious groups.

The second phase, which took shape after the restoration of democracy in 1974, is characterized by the institutional strengthening of youth policies. A significant development of this period was the establishment of the General Secretariat of Youth, marking the organized monitoring and formulation of policies for young people. Leisure time and its meaningful use were gradually recognized as key factors in socialization, identity development, and youth participation in social life.

National Definition and Understanding of youth work

Youth Work is a tool for personal development - social integration and active citizenship and is implemented as a social and educational practice outside the framework of formal education. Although the concept of Youth Work is widely used at the European and international levels, in Greece there is still no institutionally established unified national definition, nor a specific, comprehensive legal framework regulating the field as a whole. The approach followed at the national level is conceptually aligned with the definitions and guiding principles of the European Union.

The development of public policies addressed to young people has gradually evolved over time, at varying paces and with different priorities, which has also influenced the shaping of support tools for socio-educational activities for youth. The socio-economic conditions of the previous decade highlighted the need to strengthen youth structures and support mechanisms.

The  General Secretariat of Vocational Education, Training, Lifelong Learning and Youth    of the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports is the competent official authority responsible for the design, coordination, and supervision of policies concerning youth and the field of youth work.

According to its organizational provisions, as established by Law ν. 4763/2020, the structure of the Directorate of Youth is described as comprising the following organizational units:

• Department A Planning and Implementation of Policy and Development Actions for Youth, 

• Department B Culture and Youth Artistic Creation, 

• Department C Social Participation, Volunteering and Youth Structures, 

• Department D European and International Youth Affairs. 

Regarding the responsibilities of Department C Social Participation, Volunteering and Youth Structures, the following are mentioned:

a) support and promotion of voluntary action of young people at an individual and collective level, 

b) implementation and support of programs and actions in matters of youth 

c) organization of thematic seminars and training activities for young volunteers, 

d) The drafting of proposals for the establishment of an institutional framework for the recognition of voluntary service and youth work (Youth Workers).

(e) The development and support of youth structures at local, regional, and national level.

(f) The maintenance of registries of voluntary organizations and youth structures.

(g) Research and the formulation of proposals on issues related to volunteering and youth participation.

(h) The implementation of actions to support vulnerable groups of young people and the promotion of their social inclusion.

(i) The design of initiatives to facilitate the participation of young refugees and migrants in youth programmes.

(j) The provision of care and support for young refugees and migrants through the implementation of special programmes for the creative use of leisure time, in cooperation with other competent bodies and Ministries.