The YWIS project is pleased to announce the publication of the article “Youth Work in Schools: Pathways to Sustainability, Well-Being and Democratic Communities” by Stelios Pantazidis and Yannis Pechtelidis from the University of Thessaly, Greece. The article appears in the open-access journal Youth (MDPI) and has already attracted significant attention, with over 1,000 views.
The study investigates how youth work can be meaningfully integrated into school environments as a response to contemporary educational challenges. Drawing on best practices from Greece, Finland, Estonia, and Portugal within the framework of the Erasmus+ Youth Work in Schools (YWIS) project, it explores how youth work can strengthen school communities, promote sustainability, support student well-being, and deepen democratic practices.
Using a mixed-methods approach, combining case studies and survey data from educators and youth workers, the research highlights the transformative role of youth work in creating inclusive, engaged, and resilient educational environments. Youth workers’ interventions — from peer mentoring and participatory governance to sustainability initiatives — demonstrate the power of experiential, student-centred learning.
The paper also emphasizes the need for institutional openness, professional recognition, and systemic support to ensure the sustainable integration of youth work into education systems. Its insights are valuable for policymakers, educators, and practitioners seeking to bridge the gap between formal and non-formal education.
📈 The article has already reached 1,067 views, reflecting significant interest in this emerging field.
👉 Read the full article here:
https://www.mdpi.com/2673-995X/5/2/52