Open Youth Work for an Open Society: Advancing Inclusive Youth Practices Across Europe
Murska Sobota, Slovenia – In an era marked by growing social inequalities, increasing diversity, and evolving challenges affecting young people, the need for inclusive and accessible youth work has never been more urgent. Responding to these realities, the Erasmus+ training course “Open Youth Work for an Open Society” organised by the Creative Youth Association Društvo Kreativne Mladine brought together 24 youth workers, educators, and youth practitioners from Portugal, Croatia, the Czechia, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, and Italy to explore innovative approaches to creating more open, participatory, and inclusive youth environments.
Implemented within the framework of the Erasmus+ Youth Programme, the training served as a platform for professional development, intercultural learning, and international cooperation. Through a combination of non-formal education methodologies and field-based experiences, participants strengthened their competencies and examined the role of youth work in fostering social inclusion, democratic participation, and active citizenship.
Reimagining Openness in Youth Work
A central theme of the training was the concept of Open Youth Work, an approach founded on the principles of accessibility, voluntary participation, inclusion, and equal opportunities for all young people. Participants engaged in critical discussions on how youth spaces can become more responsive to the diverse needs of young people, particularly those experiencing social, economic, cultural, or structural barriers.
The discussions emphasised that openness extends beyond physical access to youth facilities. It also encompasses organisational culture, professional attitudes, and the intentional development of programmes that encourage participation, promote belonging, and ensure that every young person can engage meaningfully in community life.
Creating Spaces for Dialogue and Inclusion
A significant component of the programme was the international round table “Open Youth Work for an Open Society,” organised by the Creative Youth Association (Društvo Kreativne Mladine) in Murska Sobota. The event brought together youth workers, representatives of local organisations, experts in the field of youth work, and representatives of vulnerable groups to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing young people across Europe.
The round table created an important platform for dialogue on barriers to youth participation, social inclusion, and the need for more accessible and high-quality youth services. Exchanges with local young people and community stakeholders provided valuable insights into the realities experienced by different groups and highlighted the importance of collaborative, community-based approaches to youth work.
Non-Formal Education as a Driver of Professional Learning
The training was grounded in the principles of non-formal education, promoting an interactive and learner-centred approach. Through group work, peer learning, experiential activities, simulations, and structured reflection sessions, participants critically analysed their own practices while exchanging experiences from their respective national contexts.
This participatory methodology fostered professional growth, encouraged critical thinking, and enabled participants to identify innovative strategies for strengthening inclusion and participation within their organisations and communities.
Beyond the educational activities, the programme also facilitated meaningful human connections. Interactions with elderly members of the local community provided particularly emotional and reflective moments, highlighting the value of intergenerational solidarity and reinforcing the understanding that inclusive societies are built through empathy, mutual understanding, and active community engagement.
Bridging Theory and Practice
To complement the learning process, participants undertook a study visit to the Youth Centre in Murska Sobota, managed by Društvo Kreativne Mladine. The visit offered a practical demonstration of open youth work principles in action, showcasing how safe, creative, and participatory environments can empower young people and strengthen community engagement.
Participants observed examples of informal learning, youth-led initiatives, and community participation mechanisms that translate the principles of openness and inclusion into everyday practice.
The programme also included a visit to Posestvo Mala Rosa, an organic farm known for cultivating herbs, lavender, roses, aronia, and other local products. The experience demonstrated how sustainability, local entrepreneurship, and community initiatives can contribute to social cohesion and create spaces for learning and intercultural exchange. It also illustrated the potential of community-based initiatives to promote well-being, environmental awareness, and inclusive local development.
From International Learning to Local Impact
A key objective of the training was to ensure the sustainability and transferability of learning outcomes. Participants were encouraged to transform the knowledge and methodologies acquired during the mobility into concrete initiatives within their own organisations and local communities.
Through dissemination activities, capacity-building sessions, and the development of follow-up projects, participants committed to extending the impact of the training beyond the international experience and contributing to the continuous improvement of youth work practices in their respective countries.
Strengthening European Cooperation for Inclusive Youth Work
By bringing together professionals from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds, “Open Youth Work for an Open Society” fostered cross-cultural dialogue and strengthened European cooperation in the youth sector. The exchange of methodologies, experiences, and innovative practices contributed to building stronger professional networks and reaffirmed a shared commitment to developing youth work that is open, inclusive, and responsive to contemporary societal challenges.
The training reflects broader European priorities of promoting social inclusion, democratic participation, and active citizenship among young people. Through capacity-building and transnational collaboration, the initiative demonstrates the transformative potential of youth work in creating communities where every young person—regardless of background or circumstances—has the opportunity to participate, belong, and thrive.
As Europe continues to address complex social and economic transformations, initiatives such as “Open Youth Work for an Open Society” serve as powerful reminders that inclusive youth work is not merely a professional practice but a fundamental investment in building more cohesive, democratic, and resilient societies.
