Open Youth Work's Contribution to Non-Formal Education

Open Youth Work has a varied history across Europe. In some countries, there is a strong tradition of youth clubs and projects stretching back nearly one hundred years, and is well recognised by governments, institutions and the society at large. Yet in other parts of Europe, youth work is a very recent development, which is still largely unrecognised and unsupported. Yet despite these differences, there are very exciting things happening all across Europe. As this publication highlights, Open Youth Work is providing young people with exciting opportunities to spend their leisure time learning new skills, meeting new people, and having their attitudes, beliefs and experiences challenged in order to help them develop as well-rounded citizens of Europe.