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1. Information providers

2. Key initiatives

Information providers

The main source of information available to young people regarding youth work and opportunities for engagement in Malta is the Youth Information One-Stop Shop (YIOSS), operated by Aġenzija Żgħażagħ. YIOSS provides free, accessible, and youth-friendly information and guidance services to young people aged 13 to 30. It is staffed by professional youth workers and offers both physical and online access, including a dedicated web portal and digital communication channels.

YIOSS plays a central role in disseminating information about youth work opportunities, including participation in programmes, volunteering, mobility opportunities, and skills development initiatives. It also contributes to raising awareness of the value of youth work by supporting young people in understanding how engagement in such activities can contribute to their personal and social development.

In addition to YIOSS, Aġenzija Żgħażagħ’s official website and social media platforms (including Facebook and Instagram) function as key outreach tools. These channels are regularly updated with information on youth work programmes, initiatives, events, and participation opportunities.

Furthermore, the Youth Information Ambassadors initiative, coordinated by Aġenzija Żgħażagħ in collaboration with the National Youth Council, strengthens peer-to-peer dissemination of youth information. Through this initiative, trained young people actively promote youth opportunities, including youth work activities, within their communities, thereby extending the reach and accessibility of information services.

Key initiatives

A number of national and European-level initiatives contribute to raising awareness about youth work and its value among young people, youth workers, policymakers, and the wider public.

Malta hosted the 4th European Youth Work Convention in Valletta in May 2025. The Convention brought together over 500 participants from across Europe, including policymakers, practitioners, researchers, and representatives of youth organisations. It served as a major platform for promoting the value of youth work, addressing its role in supporting young people, and shaping its future development at European and national levels. The Convention highlighted both the professionalisation of youth work and its broader societal contribution, reinforcing its importance as a key component of youth policy.

Building on this momentum, the 10th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers responsible for Youth, held in Valletta in October 2025, further strengthened awareness of youth work. The Conference emphasised the role of youth work in fostering democratic participation and supporting young people’s active engagement in society. It also endorsed the outcomes of the 4th European Youth Work Convention, contributing to the recognition of youth work as an essential element of youth policy across Europe.

At national level, Aġenzija Żgħażagħ organises annual stakeholder conferences, bringing together youth organisations, practitioners, and policymakers. These events showcase ongoing youth work practices, share results and impact, and outline future priorities within the framework of the National Youth Policy. They also serve as platforms for dialogue, networking, and capacity-building within the youth sector.

In addition, the National Tool Fair, organised annually in collaboration with the European Union Programmes Agency (EUPA), promotes quality development in youth work. The initiative provides youth workers with opportunities to exchange methodologies, participate in peer-learning workshops, and explore innovative tools for non-formal learning. It also strengthens awareness of youth work as a professional practice and supports its continuous development.

These initiatives collectively contribute to increasing the visibility, recognition, and understanding of youth work, targeting a wide range of stakeholders including young people, youth workers, policymakers, and institutions at both national and European levels.