Module 1 - Connecting with Young People

Do we really know the reality that young people live today? What are their concerns and interests? What stigmas are they fighting against? How does being digital natives affect this generation's issues? Before we delve into their reality, we suggest you reflect on this initial quiz considering the data for your country.

We hope that this starting point has helped you to reflect a little on how close you are to the reality of young people, and whether you need to do some more research on what data really corresponds to the youth in your region.

As we have seen in this first part, the youth population, which is also very diverse, can be grouped under some similar characteristics, such as level of education or training, social and political representation or the importance they give to environmental and mental health aspects.

Whether it's ethnicity, culture or socio-economic background, the youth here come from all walks of life. This rich tapestry is woven from factors like migration, which adds layers of cultural richness and varied identities. It's also important to remember that being 16 is very different from being 29; each age comes with its own unique perspective.

Education-wise, European youth are rocking it. Most complete their secondary education, and a large proportion goes on to tertiary education or vocational training. In fact, a considerable number of youth in Europe hold university degrees, which is pretty impressive.

However, when it comes to employment, the picture is different. Youth unemployment rates are higher compared to adults, and many young people find themselves in precarious jobs or facing long job searches. The transition from education to employment is a tough nut to crack, influenced by the education they've received, their work experience, and the job market policies of their countries.

On the flip side, the youth in Europe are highly engaged when it comes to social and political matters. They're passionate about causes like climate change, human rights and social justice. While they might not be flocking to traditional political parties or elections, they're very active in social movements, NGOs and volunteer work.

Now, let's talk about tech. European youth are digital natives – they've grown up with technology and are masters at navigating online spaces and social media. This has transformed how they consume information, learn and socialise. But with great power comes great responsibility, and there's a need for critical digital literacy to combat fake news and misinformation.

Mental health and well-being are big concerns for the youth in Europe. Academic pressure, job uncertainty, social expectations, the constant buzz of social media and the ecological anxiety can lead to high stress and mental health issues.

Special mention should be made of ecological anxiety: the engagement of young people in climate issues creates some awareness of eco-anxiety and this contributes to raising awareness of mental health issues. Unfortunately, access to mental health support is limited, so there's a pressing need for better policies and programs.

Lastly, let's not forget the values and attitudes that youth in Europe hold dear. They champion diversity, equality and human rights. They're open to different identities and sexual orientations, and they're generally more progressive than previous generations. Plus, they're very environmentally conscious, supporting green and sustainable initiatives and being at the forefront of the climate change movement with an incredible passion. Greta Thunberg, a young climate activist from Sweden, has become a global icon for her efforts to raise awareness and demand action on climate change. Many young people are inspired by her and participate in climate strikes and other environmental activities.

Young Europeans are not just the future; they are actively shaping the present with their progressive values and unwavering commitment to a better world.

For a deeper understanding of these values, check out the articles, podcasts and videos in the Resources section below.

Our role as youth workers is to positively influence young people's lives, promoting their well-being, personal development and active participation in society, especially on environmental issues and career guidance.

Therefore, in this sub-module, we will explore the competencies, responsibilities and approaches we need to adopt in order to play our role effectively.

But first things first. We need to be clear what we mean when we discuss youth work and youth workers.

Definitions of Youth Work

For the European Union, youth work is:

“a broad term covering a large scope of activities of a social, cultural, educational or political nature both by, with and for young people. Increasingly, such activities also include sport and services for young people. Youth work belongs to the area of ‘out-of-school’ education, as well as specific leisure time activities managed by professional or voluntary youth workers and youth leaders and is based on non-formal learning processes and on voluntary participation.”

The Council of Europe describes youth work as:

“a broad term covering a wide variety of activities of a social, cultural, educational, environmental and/or political nature by, with and for young people, in groups or individually. Youth work is delivered by paid and volunteer youth workers and is based on non-formal and informal learning processes focused on young people and on voluntary participation. Youth work is quintessentially a social practice, working with young people and the societies in which they live, facilitating young people’s active participation and inclusion in their communities and in decision making.”

In a nutshell, youth work is a social practice that seeks to accompany young people in their personal, social and educational development. It encompasses a wide range of activities and services aimed at supporting young people in their daily lives, from non-formal education to counselling and emotional support. Youth workers operate in a variety of contexts, including community centres, non-profit organisations, schools and government programmes.

Competences of a Youth Worker

Let’s begin to understand the competences you need to develop by using this wordsearch to find some of the main qualities and skills a youth worker should have:

There are many skills and competences related to youth work. The Council of Europe’s Youth Work Portfolio identifies no less than 31 competences grouped around 7 areas, each with its own set of skills.

Although all of them are relevant to your work as a youth worker (we encourage you to read them all carefully), we are going to highlight the ones that we believe are most relevant competences for youth work related to career guidance and care for the environment.

• Competence 1.1: Build positive, non-judgemental relationships with young people
• Competence 1.2: Understand the social context of young people’s lives
• Competence 1.3: Involve young people in the planning, delivery and evaluation of youth work using participatory methods, as suitable
• Competence 1.4: Relate to young people as equals
• Competence 1.5: Demonstrate openness in discussing young people’s personal and emotional issues when raised in the youth work context

• Competence 3.1: Assist young people to identify and take responsibility for the role they want to have in their community and society
• Competence 3.2: Support young people to identify goals, develop strategies and organise individual and collective action for social change
• Competence 3.3: Support young people to develop their critical thinking and understanding about society and power, how social and political systems work, and how they can have an influence on them
• Competence 3.4: Support the competence and confidence development of young people

We will get to know more about the Youth Work Portfolio in our Module 5, so be patient. For now, let’s focus on how we can develop these competences. How can we be good at this?

Practical Approaches to Youth Work

Managing/guiding a group of people is not easy and there is no ‘right’ way, because no two people are the same. We know that our groups are made up of young people, but each have their own characteristics and history, not to mention the differences between 16-year-olds and 29-year-olds. There are no recipes, BUT we do have the ingredients:

The only way to address young people's needs and aspirations is to know those needs. And to know those needs, it’s essential that young people feel confident, safe and comfortable enough to be honest about their needs and aspirations. To achieve this, we should actively listen and facilitate open and honest conversations, and create an atmosphere of trust and respect where a relationship flows without taboos. In addition, knowing the codes and languages that each generation uses will give us an advantage in connecting with young people. A horizontal approach will help us to connect more with what we want to transmit.

An example of a concrete activity for this purpose is "The spider's web activity", where participants introduce themselves and, with a ball of wool, a symbolic web of connection between everyone is made. Then, in small groups, we can create visual maps that represent the diversity within the group. Afterwards, we lead a discussion on how to foster a supportive, inclusive and respectful environment, and close by writing the conclusions on a large flipchart, which we will all sign, making these conclusions the group ground rules.

From this activity, we draw another skill that we need to cultivate in ourselves: participatory decision-making. If the young people in our group see themselves not only as passive participants receiving training but also as active members, the connection and trust created will not only improve their self-esteem, but also improve the process as a whole.

Empathy in Youth Work

Empathy is another basic skill to build strong and meaningful relationships with young people. Youth workers must be able to put themselves in the shoes of young people, understand their perspectives and experiences, and provide emotional support and guidance.

When young people are looking for a job and have socio-environmental concerns, they can be paralysed by the paradox of accepting a job that contradicts their ideals. One risk we have as youth workers, therefore, is falling into paternalism ("this is what you should do") or, at the other extreme, irrationality ("change your life and pursue your dreams like there is no tomorrow"). The skills we have seen so far (empathy, decision-making etc.) are fundamental in order to balance our guidance effectively.

But it’s not only about management skills, as we must have knowledge of, in this case, employment and environmental issues.

Knowledge and Networking

We cannot guide young people properly on employment without knowing the most important features of the labour market in our country or region, and also the most basic employment policies (and especially those that directly affect young people). Inevitably, we must have sufficient knowledge about labour rights, so that young people know what rights and responsibilities they have.

On the other hand, we must know the causes and consequences of the most important environmental problems at the global level and at the local level, and consequently the connection between the two. We also need to know the essential environmental laws, especially those in the labour field, so that when our young people are looking for a job, they know how to assess a company's commitment to the environment.

Obviously, we cannot be experts in everything, so the essential skill to develop is knowing how to find and weave contacts with those experts (people, companies, trade unions etc.). In Module 6, “Mapping the opportunities”, we will go deeper, but for the moment, we encourage you to map the resources available in your area on these issues. Here are some resources that may help you:

• Information on EU Environment Policy, which provides the framework for the environmental policies of EU member countries.
• Information on EU Labour Law
• Information on EU Youth Employment Support
• Consequences of climate change - European Commission.

We invite you to carry out the following exercise of self-reflection on the methodologies that youth workers use, as a way of closing this section. In it, you will find ideas on how to further enhance the connection we make with young people:

Diversity is an intrinsic characteristic of contemporary European youth. Young people come from a variety of cultural, social and economic backgrounds, and have a wide range of identities, beliefs and experiences. As youth workers, it is essential to recognise and value this diversity in order to create inclusive and effective environments that respond to the needs of all young people. This sub-module offers strategies and reflections for adapting our work to this diversity and promoting inclusion.

To do this, we must first understand the different aspects that make up this diversity:

• Cultural Diversity: Europe is a continent with a rich and growing cultural and ethnic diversity. Young people may belong to different ethnic groups, have a migrant background or be part of minority communities. It is crucial to recognise and respect these differences, promoting an environment where all cultures are valued and celebrated. And within countries, we can also see differences between young people from urban and rural areas; regional accents and vastly differing views are just two examples.
• Socio-economic Diversity: Young people come from different socio-economic backgrounds, which influences their opportunities, resources and challenges. It is important to be aware of the economic barriers that some young people may face and provide support and resources to level the playing field.
• Gender and Sexual Diversity: Gender identity and sexual orientation are important aspects of young people's identity. Creating safe and inclusive spaces where young people can express their identity without fear of discrimination is critical. This includes the use of inclusive language and support for gender and sexual diversity.
• Diversity of Abilities: Not all young people have the same physical, mental and emotional capacities. Adapting activities and programmes to be accessible and inclusive for all is essential to ensure that all young people can participate fully, overcoming any potential barriers.

As we have seen, young people experience diversity in different forms and as a youth worker this is not always easy. For this, it is important to have an eye on inclusion.

Inclusion is proactive, so it does not settle for just non-discrimination, but provides the means and resources for all people to feel comfortable in a given group, and to participate to the extent they wish to. In other words, it is not about ignoring a person's low participation, but neither is it about forcing him or her to do more. It is a process in which we must try to reach that person with different strategies, letting them know that we take them into account and value them.

For this reason, many of the best strategies to foster inclusion have already been mentioned in this module, such as active listening, identification of needs and interests, participatory decision-making or the creation of an environment of trust and respect.

Creativity is another basic skill to foster inclusion, because if, for example, the activity we had prepared to identify a girl's needs does not work, we need to think of another activity to achieve that goal. That is why we must constantly train ourselves to learn new activities, methods and techniques. In this sense, it is very important to collaborate with other organisations and networks that work with diverse groups which can provide additional support and specialised resources. This includes working with organisations that focus on advocacy for girls’/women’s rights, minority rights, LGTBIQ+ groups and people with disabilities, amongst others.

Emotional adaptability is an individual's ability to adapt and recover from situations of adversity, stress or trauma. It is a crucial competence both for young people and for ourselves as youth workers. In today's context, where young people face a variety of challenges, from academic pressure to job uncertainty, as well as the climate crisis, military conflicts and mental health, developing the ability to manage stress and adapt to adverse situations is critical.

This sub-module focuses on providing tools and reflections to improve emotional control in various situations and foster greater adaptability and mental strength among the young people we work with. Emotional adaptability is the ability to cope with stressful situations and recover from adversity. It's a critical skill for young people as they navigate the complexities of modern life.

Numerous studies highlight the importance of emotional adaptability. For instance, research published in academic journals shows that high levels of adaptability are associated with better mental health outcomes, including lower rates of anxiety and depression. Individuals with strong coping skills are more likely to succeed academically and socially, demonstrating the far-reaching benefits of fostering this skill in youth.

Young people in Europe today face significant stresses, including academic pressure, social expectations, and an uncertain future. According to different research, a large percentage of young people report feeling stressed due to academic workload and future uncertainties.

Social pressure also plays a substantial role in the mental health of young people in Europe. The impact of social media on mental health has been documented in studies across European countries, highlighting increased levels of anxiety and depression among teenagers who spend excessive time online.

Additionally, eco-anxiety, defined as the chronic fear of environmental doom, is an emerging concern among young people worldwide, including in Europe. A global survey published in The Lancet Planetary Health found that a significant percentage of young Europeans are very or extremely worried about climate change. This anxiety about the future of the planet can contribute to feelings of helplessness and stress, highlighting the need for effective coping strategies and building mental strength.

Understanding these pressures and incorporating strategies to build emotional adaptability and strength can significantly impact the well-being and development of young people in Europe. By providing them with the tools to manage stress and adapt to challenges, we can help them develop a healthier outlook and a stronger sense of self-efficacy.

Emotional resilience helps young people to maintain mental and emotional balance, even in difficult situations. This is essential to minimise mental health problems such as anxiety and depression.

To maintain mental and emotional balance, we can use the following strategies:

• Meditation techniques: Incorporating mindfulness and meditation practices into sessions can help young people develop greater awareness of their emotions and thoughts, and regulate their emotional responses.
• Personal Reflection: Encouraging personal reflection through journaling, group discussions or art activities can help young people identify and process their emotions.
• Learning from Failure: Teaching young people to see failures as learning opportunities rather than insurmountable obstacles can strengthen their resilience. Activities that celebrate attempts and mistakes can be helpful, especially in such an unpredictable area as employment and the disappointments that young people can face with jobs that are only apparently "green."
• Goal Setting: Helping young people set achievable goals and develop plans to achieve them can foster a positive, proactive mindset.
• Building Support Networks: Encourage the creation of support networks among young people, facilitating the formation of peer groups where they can share experiences and offer mutual support. Promoting a safe space from the first moment of contact with the group will facilitate the initial building of support networks.
• Access to Mental Health Resources: Providing information and access to potential mental health resources, such as counsellors, therapists and helplines, is critical to providing comprehensive support.
• Physical and Recreational Activities: Regular physical and recreational activities can help reduce stress and improve emotional well-being. Include these types of activities in your workshops and training with young people.
• Community Service Projects: Engaging young people in volunteering and community service projects can provide a sense of purpose and connection, strengthening their resilience, as well as establishing new social relationships that can be beneficial.

And while we are on the subject of mental health, it is crucial to take care of our own mental health. Guiding a group of young people is tremendously satisfying but challenging: it involves a lot of responsibility and conflict management.

In a survey of youth workers, 72% of youth workers claim to have experienced burnout, and accordingly, the research suggests that youth workers often leave their organisations and change career. This was confirmed by 70% of youth workers who claim to know colleagues that have left youth work due to burnout or poor working conditions.

Again, there are no magic recipes, but some things can be done:

• Taking care of the mental health of your group of young people and taking care of your own mental health are mutually reinforcing: if you create a participative, trusting and safe group climate, the relationships between all the people will be healthy, the atmosphere will be relaxed, people will feel valued and possible conflicts that arise will be dealt with in an appropriate and healthy way, having a very positive impact on the mental health of the whole group (including you).

Fostering coping strategies in young people and youth workers is an ongoing process that requires a holistic and adaptive approach. By implementing inclusive strategies that focus on emotional well-being, we can help young people address their current challenges and prepare them for a more balanced and fulfilling life.

It’s also important to establish self-care routines that include adequate rest, healthy eating and regular exercise.

And, what about professional support? Do not hesitate to seek professional support when needed, either through therapy or counselling. But, in this respect, we believe that the conclusion of the qualitative research Well-being on Youth Workers is essential:

At the end, we would like to point out something that was mentioned many times during this research, and it regards all levels of support. The youth workers who participated in this research expressed a strong need for free supervision, or, in case of an emergency, free access to psychological support. Psychological support, just as the rest of the suggestions for support, could build a more productive and healthier environment for youth workers and all young people.

We realised how it can be difficult for youth workers to work in the working conditions in which they do now, and especially when facing crisis situations, or even some everyday challenges. One of the respondents explained it like this:

“I think overall, at all levels, the support which is missing is related to Mental Health, stress management and conflict - Psychological help is something still only for the privileged (financially) and the structures are not there yet to provide it at a lower cost, even if the conversation around mental health is opening. So now there is a need, not only to have the conversation, but to demand proper structures to deal with stress at work, emotion, both in personal and professional life, counselling, and so on. To make it something that is not only a fashion/trend, but as something that is not only for those who can afford a 50€ session.”

CLOSING

As a final reflection on all these issues, we invite you to listen to this short interview with Raquel Cabello, a youth worker from a municipality in Andalusia and board member of the Andalusian Association of Youth Workers. Through some questions, we can visualise how this person carries out her daily work as a youth worker.

Interview with Raquel Cabello, youth technician, on how to connect with young people.

Understanding the unique characteristics and challenges of young people is crucial for guiding them effectively, especially when they're passionate about environmental advocacy and dealing with eco-anxiety. As a youth worker, your role is to support these young individuals in transforming their concerns into constructive career paths.

Recognising diversity among young people allows you to tailor your guidance, ensuring each person feels understood and supported. By fostering coping strategies, you help them manage their eco-anxiety and maintain their commitment to environmental causes, which is essential for long-term success in related careers.

By integrating these approaches into your work, you'll be better equipped to create a supportive environment where young people can thrive, both personally and professionally, enabling them to pursue meaningful careers and stay engaged in their advocacy work. Ultimately, this integrated approach will help young people transform their concerns into constructive action, fostering both their growth and the greater good they seek to achieve.