UNDER 30'

In this episode of UNDER 30, we explore the challenge of youth brain drain from the Western Balkans, the Eastern Partnership, and Türkiye. Our guests Gökay Özerim and Samir Beharić explain why so many young, educated people are leaving, what this means for societies and youth work, and the hidden drivers behind the trend. We also discuss the demographic and social consequences across these regions, and look at the policy responses needed to address the issue.Host: Dariusz Grzemny*All references to Kosovo, whether the territory, institutions or population, in this episode shall be understood in full compliance with United Nations' Security Council Resolution 1244 and without prejudice to the status of Kosovo.Link:Youth brain drain from the Western Balkans, the Eastern Partnership and Türkiye

This episode explores the evolving concepts of youth mainstreaming and youth perspective(s). Researchers Marco Kovačič and Tomaž Deželan emphasize that youth are not a homogeneous group, so it's essential to consider plural perspectives. The podcast contrasts these  terms with traditional ones like youth participation, showing how the new concepts better address policy integration. Case studies from Austria, Germany, and Croatia highlight varied national and local approaches. International organizations like the UN, OECD, and OSCE are also engaging in youth mainstreaming, though coordination among them remains limited. The episode concludes with the following recommendations: ensure political mandates, build coordination infrastructure, and create meaningful mechanisms for youth input in policy processes.Hosts: Dariusz Grzemny and Tanya Basarab (EU-Council of Europe Youth Partnership)Links:Youth Mainstreaming: the international perspective, by Tomaž Deželan, Slađana Petković and Marti Taru (2025)Learning from national and local approaches to youth mainstreaming and the use of youth perspective in policy making across Europe by Dan Moxon, Marko Kovačić and Veronica Ștefan (2025)

In this episode, we explore findings from a new study on quality tools in youth work across 15 European countries. The discussion reveals that most national frameworks focus on structural policies and funding, with few practical tools for local youth workers. Notably, young people's voices are rarely included in defining quality, despite being central to youth work. Our guest highlights the need for more youth participation and practical, locally relevant approaches. Guests: Tomi Kiilakovski, Tanya BasarabHost: Dariusz GrzemnyLink to the study: https://go.coe.int/GASb5

This episode of UNDER 30, the podcast of the European Union - Council of Europe youth partnership, delves into the topic of youth mental health and wellbeing. The discussion features Aagje Rottiers from Ambrassade in Belgium and Paavo Pyykkönen from the Finnish National Agency for Erasmus Plus and the European Solidarity Corps. We explore the increased importance of youth mental health post-pandemic, the role of youth work in supporting mental health, and specific initiatives like training modules for youth workers. Lana Pasic from the EU-Council of Europe youth partnership highlights the findings from ongoing studies and the role of youth organizations in providing mental health services. The episode also emphasizes the need for youth workers to understand their limits, recognize when to engage professional mental health services, and develop essential competencies to support youth mental health effectively.Host: Dariusz GrzemnyLinks:Seminar on youth mental health and well-being

The government of Malta - Aġenzija Żgħażagħ (Malta's national youth agency) and the European Union Program Agency (EUPA) for Malta  together with the EU-Council of Europe Youth Partnership, will host the 4th European Youth Work Convention (EYWC) in Valletta, Malta, from 27 to 30 May 2025, under the Maltese Chairpersonship of the Council of Europe. In this episode, we are discussing the content, the expected outcomes and expectations from the Convention. Guests:Miriam Teuma - the CEO of Aġenzija Żgħażagħ Raphael Scerri - National Coordinator – Chief Executive Officer in the European Union Program AgencyLászló Milutinovics - the EU-Council of Europe Youth PartnershipHost: Dariusz GrzemnyLinks:The web page on the Convention (EU-Council of Europe Youth Partnership)

In this episode, we are talking with Howard Williamson, a youth worker, academic youth researcher and lecturer, and youth policy adviser, Professor of European Youth Policy at the University of South Wales on what is youth research, who are youth researchers, what are the trends in youth research. This episode is a part of MOOC on Youth Research Essentials.Hosts: Dariusz Grzemny and Lana Pasic. Links:MOOC info page: https://pjp-eu.coe.int/en/web/youth-partnership/mooc-on-youth-researchPool of European Youth Researchers (PEYR): https://pjp-eu.coe.int/en/web/youth-partnership/peyrYouth Research Essentials: https://pjp-eu.coe.int/en/web/youth-partnership/essentials

In September 2024 the European Union - Council of Europe Youth Partnership organised a symposium on Young people, democracy and climate action to discuss how young people are engaging with climate crisis, what are the main emerging priorities, challenges, and how youth research, youth policy and youth work are responding to this issue. Climate justice was one of the main topics tackled during the seminar. In this episode, we are hosting: Eimear Manning from the National Youth Council Ireland and Agnes Gkoutziamani from Youth and Environment Europe.Hosts: Dariusz Grzemny and Lana Pasic. Links: Symposium: Young people, democracy and climate action: https://pjp-eu.coe.int/en/web/youth-partnership/symposium-2024Youth and democracy in the climate crisis: https://pjp-eu.coe.int/en/web/youth-partnership/youth-and-democracy-in-the-climate-crisisT-kit 13: Sustainability and youth work: https://pjp-eu.coe.int/en/web/youth-partnership/t-kit-13-sustainability-and-youth-work

In October 2024 the EU-Council of Europe organised the Seminar on Advocating for youth work in Eastern and South-East Europe (Skopje, North Macedonia). The seminar highlighted the critical importance of recognizing youth work as a formal profession, encouraging youth involvement in policy-making, and tackling pressing issues such as brain drain, inequality, and mental health. Representatives from the Council of Europe and the European Commission emphasized that youth participation is fundamental to fostering democracy and transparency. Participants shared insights on country-specific achievements and ongoing challenges, with North Macedonia standing out as a model for progress in formally recognizing youth work. The discussions underscored the need for sustained investment in youth work, particularly in rural areas, and the further development of tools to amplify the influence of youth organizations at both national and international levels. Additionally, a collection of good practices was shared, focusing on fostering dialogue with decision-makers and public authorities at various levels to advocate for the advancement of youth work development. Finally, the seminar set the stage for the upcoming 4th European Youth Work Convention, where youth workers from all Council of Europe member states will convene to discuss renewed commitments and strategic advancements to strengthen youth work across Europe.Together with László MILUTINOVITS (EU-Council of Europe youth partnership) are talking about the seminar and its outcomes with: Ana YEGHOYAN and Dragan ATANASOV, who were the facilitators of the Seminar. Host: Dariusz GRZEMNYThe transcript can be found HERE.Resources:Advocating for youth work in Eastern and South-East Europe - websiteVisible Value handbookYouth work in South-East Europe - a study Youth brain drain from the Western Balkans, the Eastern Partnership and Türkiye - a study

In this episode, we are introducing the Youth Partnership's new training kit (T-kit) on participatory youth policy - what is it for, what's inside and how it can be used. Host: Dariusz GrzemnyContributors: Tanya Basarab, research and youth policy officer, Youth PartnershipAjša Hadžibegović, authorMiriam Teuma, bureau member and former chairperson of the Council of Europe's European Steering Committee for Youth, one of the contributors of the T-kit.The transcript can be found HERE.

Sustain-Mobility was the fourth conference of the European Platform on Learning Mobility (EPLM) in the youth field that took place near Munich at the end of March 2023. It was hosted by Jugend für Europa, the German National Agency for the EU programmes Erasmus+ Youth and European Solidarity Corps , in co-operation with the Youth Partnership and other EPLM members. In this episode, we are discussing the results of the conference and reflect on issues related to sustainability in youth learning mobility projects. Guests: Manfred von Hebel - Jugend für Europa, the German National Agency for the EU programmes Erasmus+ Youth and European Solidarity CorpsGeorgia Verna - a young journalist from ItalyHosts: Lana Pasic and Dariusz GrzemnyTranscript: https://eu-coe-youth-partnership.transistor.fm/episodes/how-to-be-more-sustainable-in-mobility-projects/transcriptLinks:Event website: https://pjp-eu.coe.int/en/web/youth-partnership/conference-2023The Youth Partnership's resources on sustainability, climate change and environment: https://pjp-eu.coe.int/en/web/youth-partnership/sustainability-environment-and-climate-changeHow sustainability saved my life? - an article by Georgia Verna: https://youth.europa.eu/year-of-youth/young-journalists/how-sustainability-saved-my-life_en

On 31 May-1 June 2023, the Youth Partnership's symposium “Visible Value: Growing youth work in Europe” will gather over 100 participants in the European Youth Centre Budapest,at mid-point between two European Youth Work Conventions. This event takes stock of the steps forward on youth work development and in the implementation of the European Youth Work Agenda (EYWA), and to streamline and promote a continuous constructive dialogue with the community of practice.In this episode we are talking to Zara Lavchyan - a youth work practitioner and trainer and Howard Williamson - a youth researcher about their expectations from the symposium and thoughts on where are we with youth work at the moment.Hosts: László Milutinovits and Dariusz Grzemny

As we celebrate International Women's Day, we know that young women's participation in political life remains a challenge.  How are young women engaging with political processes at European, national and local levels?  What are the main barriers and support mechanism for their participation? Who can be an ally in building a fairer and more inclusive society? Guest: Caterina Bolognese (the Head of the Gender Equality Division at the Council of Europe) and Anna Lavizzari (a researcher at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, a member of the Pool of European Youth Researchers). Hosts: Lana Pasic and Dariusz GrzemnyLinks:Gender Equality Division websiteCouncil of Europe Gender Equality StrategyEU Gender Equality Strategy General Recommendation - Istanbul Convention Action against violence against women and domestic violence Sexism, harassment and violence against women in parliaments in Europe

The pandemic has redefined youth services and has reshaped the way they are delivered. What were the most impacted areas? Listen to the podcast episode exploring this topic and read our study. Guests: Ruzanna Ivanian (PEYR member and co-author) and Rares Craiut (Secretary General, ECYC)Hosts: Ismael Páez Civico and Tanya BasarabWould you like to know more? Read the study: Youth services during the Covid-19 pandemic – a patchy net in need of investment, by Dunja Potočnik and Ruzanna Ivanian and check out the infographic

We have organised the “Visible Value – strengthening the implementation of the European Youth Work Agenda in Eastern and Southeast Europe” seminar in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina in November 2022.The event brought together 60 participants to reflect on the way the youth work sector and community of practice had fared since the 3rd European Youth Work Convention and what structures and mechanisms had been put in place to deliver on the commitments made during the Convention and in the European Youth Work Agenda framework document. It also aimed to strengthen the connection within the triangle of governance (youth research, youth policy and youth work) in the regions.In this episode of Under30' we are discussing the content and the outcomes of the seminar with our guests: Zara Lavchayan and Dragan Atanasov, rapporteurs of the seminar. Hosts: Dariusz Grzemny and László Milutinovits Link: Visible Value – strengthening the implementation of the European Youth Work Agenda in Eastern and Southeast Europe

Media and information literacy is crucial for a fully-fledged democracy to work. Young people need to understand how to navigate the web and differentiate between truthful and misleading or false information. In this episode, we discuss the threat misinformation can pose to young people and how to counter it through critical thinking translated to the digital sphere, that being MIL. Guests: Evaldas Rupkus and Meelika HirmoHosts: Ismael Páez Civico and Lana PasicWould you like to know more? SALTO Participation & Information Resource Centre has hundreds of resources on Youth Participation, MIL, Digital Transformation and Communication. Dive into the Participation Resource Pool to find what interests you: www.participationpool.eu 

The training kit (T-kit) on value-based learning in mobility projects has recently been published by the Youth Partnership. Should youth work and learning mobility be value-based? Which values should guide us in design and implementation of youth work activities? We are discussing value-based learning and the new T-kit with:-  Snežana Bačlija Knoch - a trainer and facilitator, editor of T-kit 14-  Romina Matei from SALTO European Solidarity Corps Resource Centre, contributorsHosts: Marietta Balázs and Dariusz GrzemnyTranscript is hereLink:T-kit 14: Value-based learning in mobility projects

More than a thousand young people have been involved in the European Union's YEAs initiative. Who are the Young European Ambassadors? Listen to this episode and meet three of them, Joanna Bagadzińska (Poland), Anna Bazarna (Ukraine) and Valentin Josan (Republic of Moldova) who tell us more about this initiative and their experiences. Hosts:Marietta Balázs and Dariusz GrzemnyLinks: Young European Ambassadors initiativeEU Neighbours EastCouncil of Europe's Youth Action WeekMeaningful political participation of young people - Live from the Youth Action WeekSolidarity with Ukraine

Youth civil society was quick to respond to the recent challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. What is the state of youth civil society nowadays? How does it need to be supported? We are discussing these questions with Alex Kent from Restless Development that has published the report on the state of youth civil society and Lucas Stede from the Advisory Council on Youth in the Council of Europe. Hosts: Lana Pasic and Dariusz GrzemnyThe transcript is available HERELinks:The State of Youth Civil Society - Youth Power in a Pandemic

The symposium on "Navigating Transitions: Adapting Policies to young People's changing realities" was organised by the EU-Council of Europe Youth Partnership in Tirana on 21-23 June 2023. It brought together more than 100 participants to reflect on what paradigm shift is needed in youth research, youth policy and youth work to support young people’s aspirations in the realities changed by the Covid-19 pandemic and related measures. In this episode, we are reflecting on lessons learned and the outcomes of the symposium, as well as discussing the future perspectives.Guests: Katrin Olt  a policy maker, a member of the European Steering Committee for Youth of the Council of Europe from EstoniaMarie-Claire McAleer a researcher from IrelandZara Lavchyan, a trainer and youth work practitioner from ArmeniaClotilde Talleu, a manager of the EU-Council of Europe Youth Partnership Host: Dariusz GrzemnyNavigating Transitions: adapting policy to young people’s changing realities

During the symposium: Navigating Transitions organised by the EU-Council of Europe Youth Partnership in Tirana on 21-23 June 2022, we talked to three youth workers from Kremenchuk in Ukraine: Svitlana Ivanova,  Anna Kovalenko and Alina Shevela. They decided to share their stories and reflected on young people's transitions in the times of war. Hosts: Marietta Balázs and Dariusz GrzemnyThe transcript of this episode is HERE.