Advocacy Kit for Youth Work Development and Recognition: A Comprehensive Guide to Resources, Tools, and Strategies for Youth Workers and Organisations
Overview
The Advocacy Kit for Youth Work Development and Recognition is a practical resource developed by the EU–Council of Europe Youth Partnership. It is designed to help youth workers, youth organisations, policymakers, and other stakeholders promote the recognition, development, and long-term sustainability of youth work. The kit provides guidance, advocacy tools, planning resources, and evidence-based arguments to support advocacy at local, national, and European levels.
Youth work plays an important role in helping young people develop abilities, participate in community life, build relationships, and contribute to society through educational activities, mentoring, leadership programmes, volunteering, community engagement, and non-formal learning. However, the sector often faces challenges such as limited resources, inadequate institutional support, weak policy frameworks, low public awareness, and difficulties demonstrating impact. The Advocacy Kit responds to these challenges by equipping stakeholders to communicate the value of youth work and influence decisions.
Who can apply
This resource is intended for youth workers, community organisations, civil society groups, youth advocates, and professionals involved in youth policy. Users can adapt the resources to different national and local circumstances, whether they are advocating for the formal recognition of youth work in national policies, securing sustainable funding, improving professional development opportunities, or strengthening cooperation between government institutions and civil society.
What you get
The Advocacy Kit provides a structured approach to strengthening the youth sector and ensuring that youth work receives greater visibility, recognition, and support. It helps users identify challenges affecting youth work, determine whether advocacy is an appropriate response, identify the people and institutions that can influence change, and develop strategies suited to their specific circumstances. Rather than offering a single mandatory advocacy model, the kit encourages users to consider community issues and develop appropriate responses supported by dialogue, evidence, and policy action.