In a number of countries across Europe, people who wish to work in the youth work field and become youth workers have limited opportunities to follow formal courses that would allow them to train as professional youth workers. This differs from many other professions, where individuals typically have access to structured training or qualification pathways before entering the field. This reality often results in challenges for people who become youth workers, as they may struggle to find accessible and relevant training opportunities that support their professional development and help them become more effective in their roles. In fact, this was one of our main motivations for why such training is needed. Through our extensive experience in the youth work field, we have consistently observed a widespread lack of clarity around what youth work is and what the role of a youth worker truly entails. Many people continue to misunderstand youth work as a profession; that is, they do not see or consider youth work as a profession, often reducing it to participation in activities rather than recognising it as a structured practice aimed at supporting, mentoring, and empowering young people. This misconception is evident even within the Erasmus+ context, where greater awareness might be expected. A common assumption is that taking part in Youth Worker Mobilities or Mobilities for Young People automatically qualifies someone as a youth worker. This belief obscures the crucial distinction between being a participant in a youth project and being a youth worker who intentionally designs, facilitates, and supports learning and personal development processes for young people. To better understand the extent of this issue, we conducted research among individuals already involved in youth work settings. The findings revealed significant gaps in understanding: - 40% of respondents stated that they did not know what youth work is; - 45% provided only vague or unclear explanations; and - Just 15% demonstrated a clear and accurate understanding of youth work. What is particularly concerning is that the respondents included individuals who regularly attend youth groups and actively identify as youth leaders working in youth centres. These results suggest that even those operating within the field often lack a solid understanding of youth work’s purpose, scope, and responsibilities. Following these findings, we explored how youth leaders experience their roles and what support they feel is missing. While many recognised that they are involved in youth work-related activities, the majority expressed uncertainty about their responsibilities and expectations. A recurring theme was the absence of clear guidance on what youth work entails and how to perform the role effectively. Many participants reported having received no formal training in youth work or youth leadership and expressed a strong need for structured professional development. Others highlighted the lack of ongoing mentorship or supervision, noting that they often feel isolated when facing challenges and unsure how to respond in difficult situations. There was also a clear demand for practical tools and resources, including session plans, non-formal education methodologies, conflict management strategies, and approaches for engaging diverse groups of young people. In addition, many expressed a strong desire for peer learning opportunities and networking with other youth workers in order to exchange experiences and good practices. These findings directly informed the development of this training programme. The training aims to strengthen participants’ understanding of youth work while enhancing their professional competences through an exploration of youth work foundations, its various forms across Europe, and effective methods for engaging young people. The objectives of the training are to: - deepen participants’ understanding of different youth work approaches across European contexts (e.g. open, detached, and school-based youth work); - build practical competences in applying non-formal education methods when working with young people; - create a shared learning space for exchanging tools, experiences, and challenges; and - reflect on the values, ethics, and societal role of youth work today. As a result, participants will be better equipped to carry out youth work in a professional, intentional, and impactful way. Strengthening the capacities of youth leaders and youth workers will contribute to greater recognition of youth work as a profession and enhance its positive impact on young people within our organisation, partner organisations, and local communities.