From 16 to 20 September 2024, the University of Thessaly hosted the Youth Work in Schools (YWIS) Transnational Project Meeting in Thessaloniki, Greece. The meeting brought together representatives from Greece, Finland, Portugal, and Estonia to discuss project progress, share pilot implementations, and participate in workshops and school visits that highlighted innovative youth work approaches.
Opening Session and Project Updates
The meeting began with a warm welcome, team-building activities, and the presentation of the agenda. The project coordinator provided an overview of YWIS’s progress, noting the completion of Work Package 2 and the ongoing implementation of Work Package 3, which focuses on testing and mixing best practices in schools across partner countries.
Partners were reminded to finalize financial reporting by the end of September 2024. The Greek team also presented guidelines for the upcoming scientific article under Work Package 4, outlining its structure — including literature review, methodology, results, and discussion.
Presentations of Implementations
Over the following days, partners from Finland, Portugal, and Estonia presented their pilot activities.
The Finnish team showcased several implementations conducted by youth workers and teachers, highlighting how best practices are being applied in local schools. They also presented plans for the next Transnational Project Meeting in Finland, which will take place from 10–14 March 2025.
The Portuguese team shared updates on their implementation inspired by the good practice MIELI and discussed plans for the upcoming online workshop on 8 November 2024. Partners agreed that Bea Ribeiro would coordinate the schedule and send reminders to participants.
Workshops and Thematic Sessions
Several engaging workshops were organized throughout the week. The Greek team led a session titled “Empowering Students’ Voices through Assemblies,” facilitated by Stelios Pantazidis and Sophia Moisiadou, which explored methods for strengthening student participation and self-expression.
Another interactive workshop on Active Listening was led by Angeliki Botonaki, focusing on communication techniques that build trust and empathy in educational settings.
Participants also took part in a workshop on the Sociocratic Circle Method led by Naya Tselepi, which encouraged democratic decision-making and collaboration.
School Visits and Educational Insights
Participants visited the 1st Middle School and the 61st Elementary School in Thessaloniki, meeting with teachers and school leaders to learn about teaching methodologies and the role of youth work in Greek schools.
Foto: Vicky Kozari
The Estonian team presented their dissemination activities and implementations from Salme, Lumanda, and Kuressaare schools, showcasing how youth work supports inclusion and wellbeing in the Estonian context.
Foto: Vicky Kozari
The Greek environmental organization Mamagea introduced its community-based “food forest” project, emphasizing sustainability and youth involvement.
Keynote Presentations from Finland
Finnish experts provided valuable insights into the impact of school youth work on learning communities.
- Susanna Savander, principal of Saimaanportti School, discussed how youth work fosters belonging and community spirit.
- Mirka Lähdeniemi, lecturer at Xamk, presented effective school youth work practices and highlighted the pedagogical role of youth workers.
- Heikki Kantonen, RDI specialist at Xamk Juvenia, spoke about multidisciplinary cooperation in Finnish schools and the importance of networking among professionals.
A lively discussion followed, comparing pedagogical approaches in Greece and Finland and exploring opportunities for future collaboration.
Dissemination and Communication
Partners reviewed communication strategies and agreed to strengthen the visibility of project results. The coordinator suggested linking the Finnish and Estonian blogs and maintaining a shared monthly posting schedule on Instagram. Each country will be responsible for updating its own highlights to ensure balanced and continuous dissemination.
Educational Visit to ARSIS
On the final day, participants visited ARSIS – Association for the Social Support of Youth, a Greek NGO supporting vulnerable young people. The visit included a tour of the organization’s facilities and discussions on youth-related challenges in Greece and Finland.
Meeting Outcomes
The Thessaloniki meeting successfully deepened cooperation among YWIS partners, advanced the progress of ongoing work packages, and inspired participants with new perspectives on democratic participation, inclusion, and youth empowerment in schools.
Partners left motivated to continue strengthening the connection between education and youth work through shared European collaboration.