Across Europe, countless young people face social exclusion, misinformation, and limited access to support services. To tackle these challenges, the Cooperation of Street-Based Youth Workers and State/Regional/Municipal Institutions project brought together professionals from three countries—Finland, Sweden, and the Czech Republic—under the Erasmus+ programme. Running from November 2023 to May 2025, this small-scale partnership set out to strengthen the collaboration between NGOs and public institutions working with youth with fewer opportunities.
Addressing Real Needs
The project was designed in direct response to the needs of those on the front lines of youth work—streetworkers and public institution staff. These professionals often support marginalized young people who face complex issues such as poverty, discrimination, or criminal exploitation. The project identified several key challenges:
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The need for continuous professional development and up-to-date training
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The importance of adapting to social change and emerging threats like disinformation
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The necessity of building trust between NGOs and public authorities
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The growing demand for language skills and burnout prevention among youth workers
Shared Goals, Shared Growth
At its core, the project aimed to create a functional international partnership among non-governmental and public institutions. Its objectives were threefold:
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To promote interdisciplinary cooperation at both international and local levels.
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To train youth work professionals on critical topics such as Fighting Disinformation, Human Trafficking, and Street Mediation.
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To disseminate knowledge and best practices throughout the wider professional community.
By aligning goals and fostering mutual respect, the project created a strong foundation for sustainable, cross-sector collaboration.
Learning by Doing
The project placed strong emphasis on hands-on learning. It organized three study visits involving mixed national teams from Finland, Sweden, and the Czech Republic. Each visit showcased real-world examples of successful youth work practices, helping participants see how collaboration can flourish across cultural and institutional boundaries.
In addition to the visits, participants joined thematic workshops and trainings focused on disinformation, human trafficking, advocacy, and online safety. These sessions were designed not only to enhance practical skills but also to strengthen empathy and resilience among youth workers.
To spread the impact further, the project hosted several dissemination events, including one international conference, a national seminar, and a regional workshop—reaching hundreds of professionals across sectors.
Tangible Results and Long-Term Impact
The outcomes speak for themselves:
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24 professionals participated in international study visits
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86 individuals received specialized training
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280 participants joined dissemination activities
More importantly, these collaborations led to real policy and practice changes. In the Czech Republic, partners began implementing the Finnish Street Mediation method. In Finland, Sweden’s Men Behind the Uniform initiative—fostering dialogue between youth and uniformed officers—was adapted for local use. Meanwhile, Swedish partners started developing a Walkers Café inspired by Finnish community models.
The project’s Street Mediation manual has been translated into English and made freely available online, ensuring that its insights and methodologies can continue to benefit youth workers worldwide.
A Model for Future Cooperation
The Cooperation of Street-Based Youth Workers and State/Regional/Municipal Institutions project demonstrates how international collaboration can strengthen youth work at every level. By combining shared learning, trust-building, and innovation, it leaves behind not only new tools but also a renewed sense of purpose among those dedicated to helping young people thrive.
EU Grant: €60,000 | Programme: Erasmus+ | Project Reference: 2023-1-CZ01-KA210-YOU-000157853
