youth work reportThe European Commission has released a new report, ´Taking the future into their own hands: Youth work and entrepreneurial learning.´ The report looks into how youth work can contribute to the well-being and prosperity of society through an enhanced focus on entrepreneurial learning, fostering empowerment and initiative in young people.

It summarises the main findings of a study launched by the Commissions’ Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture, the purpose of which was to explore how youth work and non-formal learning may complement initiatives undertaken in other sectors such as formal education and training, enterprises and employment.

The EU and its Member States have been promoting entrepreneurial competences among young people as a pathway to taking an active part in society. The role of youth work in fostering entrepreneurial learning has been underexposed up until today. This report and its annexes present the findings of a major study mapping, describing and analysing the contribution that youth work makes to supporting young people in achieving competences that will help them to fulfil personal aspirations and become active citizens in Europe. The study is based on an extensive collection of data about youth work and entrepreneurial learning in all EU Member States, summarised in 28 country reports, an inventory of 114 good practices and 12 case study reports. It confirms that youth work has an important contribution to make, but that improvements should be made in respect to the policy framework, as well as concerning partnerships at national, regional and local level. The report delivers concrete recommendations for policymakers, as well as for the formal education sector and for youth work organisations, on how to increase the impact of young people’s entrepreneurial learning.

You can read the report in full on the EU publications website. (EN)