All major European policy documents state that non-formal learning is an important and part and characteristic of youth work. This is also made clear in the core principles of the charter. However, this is focus on learning is not only motivated by policy interests. Research shows us that “learning new things” is one of the things that young people appreciate most about their taking part in youth work. At the same time we know that this learning often is ‘invisible’ to young people themselves. Making young people aware of their learning and giving it recognition has thus positive effects, both for the individual young person, but also for youth work as an important place for learning. It is therefore important that youth workers talk to young people about what they want to learn through their participation and how they want this learning to be supported.
To what degree does our local youth work meet this bullet point?
Are there sides/aspects of it that are not reached?
Are there differences related to different activities?
Are there differences related to different groups of young people?
Are there differences related to different youth work providers?
Are there other differences? Related to what?
What different steps do we need to take in order to meet this bullet point?
Do we miss any knowledge that we need?
Do we need to take contact with stakeholders not present in our discussions?
Do we need to develop new competences, methods, work processes or organisational structures?
Can we find good practices or tools that might help us to improve this?
Do we have positive experiences from other areas of youth work that we can use also in this case?
Are there other organisations that we can contact and learn from regarding this?
Do we need to take other measures?
Do we have to revise our perspectives and/or priorities regarding youth work?
