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1. Forthcoming policy developments

2. Ongoing debates

Forthcoming policy developments

Thanks to the inclusion of the youth worker profession in the Classification Register and activism of numerous civil society and youth and for youth organisations, debates regarding key mechanisms for recognition of skills gained through informal channels are taking place.  

One of the things that should be regulated is the education of youth workers. For now, diplomas issued by NAPOR are recognized only at the level of the youth sector, but not by state institutions. . Youth work has been incorporated into the main reform strategic documents in the Republic Serbia and several activities are expected to be realised in the forthcoming period. 

Under the framework of the Strategy for Youth in the Republic of Serbia  for the period from 2023 to 2030 and related Action Plan (2023-2025), youth work issues has been set as one of the priorities being incorporated within the first specific goal - „Youth work is standardised in the system of non-formal education and is continuously implemented“. Specific goal 1 envisages 6 measures and 36 specific activities. More details on youth work activities envisaged within the national strategic documents could be found at 10.3 Support to youth work. 

Under the Structural Reform 6 of the Economic Reform Program (ERP) 2024-2026, development of the integrated youth services at the local level has been envisaged within the Measure 2. Youth work will be addressed through realisation of 4 specific measures including: 

• Activity 4. Developing a system of professional development of youth workers

• Activity 5. Establishment of a quality assurance system for youth work programs and informal youth education (implementation expected in 2025)

• Activity 6. Establishment of youth spaces that function in accordance with defined standards 

• Activity 7. Improving the quality of work of youth offices

All of the envisaged measures are expected to positively contribute to the position of youth in the labour market, poverty reduction and gender equality, especially from the long term perspective. 

One of the critical reforms in the field of youth work represents implementation of the Bonn Process which aims at strengthening the provision of youth work services in Europe. In 2021, Republic of Serbia created an Expert group for implementation of the Bonn Process and reporting the progress in the field of youth work, thus showing a clear commitment to integrate youth work into public policy framework and strengthen the youth work practices. 

Ongoing debates

Recent initiatives, public consultations and debates around youth work issues mainly refer to formal recognition of youth work, education of youth workers and innovative youth practices including digitalisation and sustainable development. Being the most active civil society organisation in the youth work field, NAPOR organised a conference entitled „Labor 2024 - Steps towards recognition and innovative practices in youth work“. The conference gathered around 50 youth workers and representatives of the institutions and served as a platform to discuss existing challenges, exchange views and practices in strengthening youth work practices as well as recent innovative approaches in the field. 

Aiming to strengthen the position of youth worker profession, NAPOR has recently established a Vocational caucus of youth workers (SKOR) gathering 26 members.