Youth work

In Italy, there is still no legislative framework for youth work, as a specific form of professional or voluntary activity aimed at young people. Nevertheless, a number of different youth work practices carried out mainly at the local level by the Third Sector can fall into the general category of youth work, as defined at European level. In view of the growing interest in the evolution of youth work at European level, a national law for the recognition of youth work and youth workers is currently under discussion. In the context of the draft law, “youth worker” is translated as “Animatore Socio-educativo per i Giovani” (Socio-educational instructor for youth). The youth work practices supported by the central Government mainly include centre-based youth work (i.e., open-access youth centres, youth information centres), outreach youth work, summer camps, and non-formal education provided to volunteers in the framework of the Universal Civil Service programme. The legislative power regarding youth work mainly belongs to the Regions and Autonomous Provinces, in the framework of their laws on youth policies.