On 12–13 March 2025, the international seminar “School Youth Work in 2025 – in Finland and Beyond” took place in Mikkeli, Finland. The event was organised by the YWIS project in cooperation with Juvenia – Youth Research and Development Centre and Xamk Community Educator training. Over two days, 61 participants from different European countries gathered to exchange knowledge and experiences on developing school-based youth work.
The first day focused on presentations and new approaches to youth work in schools. The seminar opened with the YWIS project presentation by coordinator Marita Mattila, followed by Veronica Hellström (Nuoska – Centre of Expertise on Youth Work in Schools and Educational Institutions), Senior Researcher Antti Kivijarvi (Finnish Youth Research Society), and Project Manager Antti Rantaniva, who demonstrated the Practical Future Coaching method. In the afternoon, participants joined outdoor workshops promoting wellbeing.
The second day highlighted international perspectives. Representatives from the University of Thessaly, Greece, gave a comprehensive presentation on Building Sustainable Societies through Educational Commons. Estonian experiences were shared by youth workers from Saaremaa, including Liis Kaai from Salme Basic School and Saaremaa Youth Work Centre. Local practitioners from the City of Mikkeli Youth Services also presented their work, and young people from Saimaanportti School shared their thoughts and experiences through a video presentation.
In the afternoon, participants joined creative and participatory workshops, including Does School Kill Creativity?, Democracy Education – the Finnish Way, and Strengthening the Sense of Community in Schools. The day concluded with a recycled fashion catwalk organised by Xamk students.
On 14 March, a follow-up activity “EU-LAB for School Youth Work” gathered 34 participants to explore Erasmus+ cooperation opportunities and network with partners from Portugal, Greece, and Estonia. The session was facilitated by Mauri Uusilehto, Programme Specialist at the Finnish National Agency for Education.