The study, commissioned in 2013 and concluded in 2014 provides information about the value of youth work, and how it results in a range of positive outcomes for young people, enabling them to:
- develop skills and competences
- strengthen their network and social capital, and
- change particular behaviours.
The study analyses the specific situation of the 28 EU Member States, highlighting the situation of youth work and its contribution to the well-being and development of young people. Various actors and organisations are delivering youth work in Europe, such as youth clubs, youth centres and youth associations. In addition to street workers’ activities, youth workers are providing support within schools, libraries or hospitals.
The publication can be freely downloaded in pdf format from: http://ec.europa.eu/youth/library/study/youth-work-report_en.pdf
3. Policy commitments. Because… policy
The European Commission supports young people’s creativity and innovation through access to and participation in culture via 3 main mechanisms:
- studies (like the ones mentioned above)
- its funding programmes, like Creative Europe the program that supports Europe’s Cultural and Creative Sectors) and Erasmus+ that supports also creativity and innovation in youth projects
- and also trough policies.
In the case of policies there are at least two statements of intent, rather than policies, than can come in handy in the context of youth art work. These are:
- “Council Conclusions on access of young people to culture from 2010“ – http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:C:2010:326:0002:0003:EN:PDF
- “Council Conclusions on fostering the creative and innovative potential of young people“ from 2012 – http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:C:2012:169:0001:0004:EN:PDF