Core Values
of Open Youth Work
- Young people have the right to make choices and explore different options
- Every young person deserves support to reach their full potential, with respect for their dignity and autonomy
- Youth work fosters critical thinking, self-awareness, and active participation in society
Key Characteristics
of Open Youth Work
Open Youth Work stands apart from other youth services through these core features:
- Voluntary and Interest-Led: Participation is always voluntary and starts with what young people care about
- Non-Formal & Experiential Learning: It’s hands-on, reflective, and happens outside the classroom—learning by doing in real-life settings
- Social Awareness & Justice: It raises awareness of social inequalities and encourages young people to act
- Youth-Led and Inclusive: Young people shape the process—planning, deciding, evaluating—with youth workers as partners, not authority figures
- Community-Based: Open Youth Work empowers communities to respond to their own needs and is open to all young people, regardless of background.