Aim

The overarching aim of the study session is to strengthen the emotional resilience and mental well-being of youth workers, supporting their motivation and ability to stay engaged in their roles. By providing practical tools, new methods to develop their support system, and opportunities for peer learning, the session seeks to empower participants to manage burnout, sustain their energy, and contribute more effectively to the youth sector.

 Objectives

In line with this aim, the study session pursues the following specific objectives:

• To equip youth workers with practical tools and resources to develop effective coping mechanisms that can alleviate the negative impacts of burnout and declining motivation, enabling them to continue their work with renewed energy and resilience.
• To explore the connection between the mental health of youth workers and the observed decline in motivation and participation among young people in civil society, providing a comprehensive understanding of this relationship.
• To raise awareness about the critical importance of mental well-being within the youth work sector.
• To identify and share best practices from various regions and organisations that have successfully addressed youth worker burnout and low motivation, fostering a culture of knowledge exchange and continuous learning.
• To create a supportive network for youth workers where they can share experiences, challenges, and strategies, promoting peer to peer support and collective problem-solving.

 About the organisations

The study session is organised in partnership with Youth Express Network (Y-E-N) and The European Confederation of Youth Clubs (ECYC).

• Y-E-N is a European network of grass-root youth organisations with a vision to reach an inclusive society, where young people, their needs and participation are recognised, valued and appreciated. Member organisations of Y-E-N work at local, regional and/or European level on the social inclusion of young people.
• ECYC is a network of 20 youth clubs and youth work organisations across 18 Council of Europe countries dedicated to open youth work and non-formal education.

At core, they champion local youth clubs and grassroots youth work, believing that every young person deserves access to supportive, inclusive spaces in their community.