Advertise on podcast: UNDER 30'

For almost three decades, since 1998, the Youth Partnership - one of the longest-standing cooperation programmes between the European Commission and the Council of Europe - has been building bridges between institutions, connecting youth policy, youth work, and youth research around issues that matter to young people and to democracy in Europe. This Episode will discuss the new chapter of this cooperation (start date 1/01/2026) and explore what it means for young people, youth workers, and youth policy across Europe. Guests:Ingrid Bellander Todino - Head of the Youth and Intergenerational Fairness Unit in DG Education, Youth, Sport and Culture in the European CommissionTobias Flessenkemper - Head of the Youth Department in the Directorate for Democracy of the Council of Europe Clotilde Talleu - the Manager of the EU-Council of Europe Youth Partnership Host: Dariusz Grzemny********LinkThe Youth Partnership 2026-2028 workplan: https://pjp-eu.coe.int/en/web/youth-partnership/activities

This episode of the Under 30 podcast of the EU–Council of Europe Youth Partnership focuses on the brand-new edition of T-Kit 3 on project management, a key resource for everyone leading or dreaming up youth projects. Together with Mara Georgescu from the European Youth Foundation, editor and co-author Sebastian Schweitzer, and Tanya Basarab from the EU-Council of Europe youth partnership, the conversation explores what has changed since the first edition in 2000 and why this fully renewed T-Kit matters so much for today’s youth work. Host: Dariusz Grzemny Link to the T-kit: https://go.coe.int/NLvaV

This episode of UNDER 30 explores what recent research says about youth participation and civic space in Europe and beyond, and why the conditions created by laws, policies and funding matter so much for young people’s democratic rights.You will also learn about tools and initiatives that can help youth organisations, activists and youth workers better understand these trends and strengthen their work in challenging contexts. UNDER 30 is a podcast by the EU–Council of Europe Youth Partnership, connecting research, policy and practice around issues that shape young people’s lives. Guests: Ana Mosiashvili, Carlotta Magoga, Gilda IserniaHosts: Dariusz Grzemny and Lana Pasic Links:Global Youth Participation Index - https://gypi.epd.eu/EU-Council of Europe youth partnership website on participation - https://pjp-eu.coe.int/en/web/youth-partnership/participation

This episode of Under 30 dives into the results and reflections from the 4th European Youth Work Convention (EYWC), which took place in May in Valletta, Malta, under the theme "Youth Work Xcelerate". Guests Alice Bergholtz and Jim O'Donovan (co-rapporteurs) and Laszlo Milutinovits (EU-Council of Europe youth partnership) discuss the convention's energy and momentum. They unpack the "noise" (perennial issues like funding and quality) and the "silence" (overlooked discussions, such as the struggle for recognition and the stark divide in support across Europe) in the youth work community. Finally, they touch on the convention's conclusions—including the new European code of ethics for youth workers—and the future roadmap for European youth work. Check out all the resources and outcomes from the Convention here (including the graphic recordings)Link to Coyote Youth Work Magazine Issue #38 on the Convention

This episode of UNDER 30 reviews the EU-Council of Europe youth partnership’s new study on rural youth transitions before and after COVID-19. The guests - Francisco Simões, co-author of the study and Ketrin Kastehein from Rural Youth Europe -  highlight data on changing opportunities, challenges, and transitions to adulthood for rural youth. They discuss slower progress and persistent gaps in education, jobs, and infrastructure, especially for young women and remote regions. Informal networks—family, friends, and youth organizations—emerge as critical support systems. The conversation addresses improvements needed in national and EU policies, such as access to digital tools, funding, and program outreach. Recommendations include creating multi-functional community spaces and ensuring Erasmus+ and youth programs reach rural youth more effectively. Links: Research on rural youth - https://pjp-eu.coe.int/en/web/youth-partnership/research-on-rural-youth

In this episode of UNDER 30, we explore the challenge of youth brain drain from the Western Balkans, the Eastern Partnership, and Türkiye. Our guests Gökay Özerim and Samir Beharić explain why so many young, educated people are leaving, what this means for societies and youth work, and the hidden drivers behind the trend. We also discuss the demographic and social consequences across these regions, and look at the policy responses needed to address the issue. Host: Dariusz Grzemny *All references to Kosovo, whether the territory, institutions or population, in this episode shall be understood in full compliance with United Nations' Security Council Resolution 1244 and without prejudice to the status of Kosovo. Link:Youth brain drain from the Western Balkans, the Eastern Partnership and Türkiye

This episode explores the evolving concepts of youth mainstreaming and youth perspective(s). Researchers Marco Kovačič and Tomaž Deželan emphasize that youth are not a homogeneous group, so it's essential to consider plural perspectives. The podcast contrasts these  terms with traditional ones like youth participation, showing how the new concepts better address policy integration. Case studies from Austria, Germany, and Croatia highlight varied national and local approaches. International organizations like the UN, OECD, and OSCE are also engaging in youth mainstreaming, though coordination among them remains limited. The episode concludes with the following recommendations: ensure political mandates, build coordination infrastructure, and create meaningful mechanisms for youth input in policy processes.Hosts: Dariusz Grzemny and Tanya Basarab (EU-Council of Europe Youth Partnership) Links:Youth Mainstreaming: the international perspective, by Tomaž Deželan, Slađana Petković and Marti Taru (2025)Learning from national and local approaches to youth mainstreaming and the use of youth perspective in policy making across Europe by Dan Moxon, Marko Kovačić and Veronica Ștefan (2025)

In this episode, we explore findings from a new study on quality tools in youth work across 15 European countries. The discussion reveals that most national frameworks focus on structural policies and funding, with few practical tools for local youth workers. Notably, young people's voices are rarely included in defining quality, despite being central to youth work. Our guest highlights the need for more youth participation and practical, locally relevant approaches.  Guests: Tomi Kiilakovski, Tanya BasarabHost: Dariusz Grzemny Link to the study: https://go.coe.int/GASb5

This episode of UNDER 30, the podcast of the European Union - Council of Europe youth partnership, delves into the topic of youth mental health and wellbeing. The discussion features Aagje Rottiers from Ambrassade in Belgium and Paavo Pyykkönen from the Finnish National Agency for Erasmus Plus and the European Solidarity Corps. We explore the increased importance of youth mental health post-pandemic, the role of youth work in supporting mental health, and specific initiatives like training modules for youth workers. Lana Pasic from the EU-Council of Europe youth partnership highlights the findings from ongoing studies and the role of youth organizations in providing mental health services. The episode also emphasizes the need for youth workers to understand their limits, recognize when to engage professional mental health services, and develop essential competencies to support youth mental health effectively. Host: Dariusz Grzemny Links:Seminar on youth mental health and well-being

The government of Malta - Aġenzija Żgħażagħ (Malta's national youth agency) and the European Union Program Agency (EUPA) for Malta  together with the EU-Council of Europe Youth Partnership, will host the 4th European Youth Work Convention (EYWC) in Valletta, Malta, from 27 to 30 May 2025, under the Maltese Chairpersonship of the Council of Europe. In this episode, we are discussing the content, the expected outcomes and expectations from the Convention. Guests:Miriam Teuma - the CEO of Aġenzija Żgħażagħ Raphael Scerri - National Coordinator – Chief Executive Officer in the European Union Program AgencyLászló Milutinovics - the EU-Council of Europe Youth Partnership Host: Dariusz Grzemny Links:The web page on the Convention (EU-Council of Europe Youth Partnership)

In this episode, we are talking with Howard Williamson, a youth worker, academic youth researcher and lecturer, and youth policy adviser, Professor of European Youth Policy at the University of South Wales on what is youth research, who are youth researchers, what are the trends in youth research. This episode is a part of MOOC on Youth Research Essentials. Hosts: Dariusz Grzemny and Lana Pasic. Links:MOOC info page: https://pjp-eu.coe.int/en/web/youth-partnership/mooc-on-youth-researchPool of European Youth Researchers (PEYR): https://pjp-eu.coe.int/en/web/youth-partnership/peyrYouth Research Essentials: https://pjp-eu.coe.int/en/web/youth-partnership/essentials

In September 2024 the European Union - Council of Europe Youth Partnership organised a symposium on Young people, democracy and climate action to discuss how young people are engaging with climate crisis, what are the main emerging priorities, challenges, and how youth research, youth policy and youth work are responding to this issue. Climate justice was one of the main topics tackled during the seminar. In this episode, we are hosting: Eimear Manning from the National Youth Council Ireland and Agnes Gkoutziamani from Youth and Environment Europe. Hosts: Dariusz Grzemny and Lana Pasic. Links: Symposium: Young people, democracy and climate action: https://pjp-eu.coe.int/en/web/youth-partnership/symposium-2024Youth and democracy in the climate crisis: https://pjp-eu.coe.int/en/web/youth-partnership/youth-and-democracy-in-the-climate-crisisT-kit 13: Sustainability and youth work: https://pjp-eu.coe.int/en/web/youth-partnership/t-kit-13-sustainability-and-youth-work

In October 2024 the EU-Council of Europe organised the Seminar on Advocating for youth work in Eastern and South-East Europe (Skopje, North Macedonia).  The seminar highlighted the critical importance of recognizing youth work as a formal profession, encouraging youth involvement in policy-making, and tackling pressing issues such as brain drain, inequality, and mental health. Representatives from the Council of Europe and the European Commission emphasized that youth participation is fundamental to fostering democracy and transparency.  Participants shared insights on country-specific achievements and ongoing challenges, with North Macedonia standing out as a model for progress in formally recognizing youth work. The discussions underscored the need for sustained investment in youth work, particularly in rural areas, and the further development of tools to amplify the influence of youth organizations at both national and international levels.  Additionally, a collection of good practices was shared, focusing on fostering dialogue with decision-makers and public authorities at various levels to advocate for the advancement of youth work development.  Finally, the seminar set the stage for the upcoming 4th European Youth Work Convention, where youth workers from all Council of Europe member states will convene to discuss renewed commitments and strategic advancements to strengthen youth work across Europe. Together with László MILUTINOVITS (EU-Council of Europe youth partnership) are talking about the seminar and its outcomes with: Ana YEGHOYAN and Dragan ATANASOV, who were the facilitators of the Seminar. Host: Dariusz GRZEMNY The transcript can be found HERE. Resources:Advocating for youth work in Eastern and South-East Europe - websiteVisible Value handbookYouth work in South-East Europe - a study Youth brain drain from the Western Balkans, the Eastern Partnership and Türkiye - a study

In this episode, we are introducing the Youth Partnership's new training kit (T-kit) on participatory youth policy - what is it for, what's inside and how it can be used.  Host: Dariusz Grzemny Contributors:  Tanya Basarab, research and youth policy officer, Youth PartnershipAjša Hadžibegović, authorMiriam Teuma, bureau member and former chairperson of the Council of Europe's European Steering Committee for Youth, one of the contributors of the T-kit.The transcript can be found HERE.

Sustain-Mobility was the fourth conference of the European Platform on Learning Mobility (EPLM) in the youth field that took place near Munich at the end of March 2023. It was hosted by Jugend für Europa, the German National Agency for the EU programmes Erasmus+ Youth and European Solidarity Corps , in co-operation with the Youth Partnership and other EPLM members. In this episode, we are discussing the results of the conference and reflect on issues related to sustainability in youth learning mobility projects. Guests: Manfred von Hebel - Jugend für Europa, the German National Agency for the EU programmes Erasmus+ Youth and European Solidarity CorpsGeorgia Verna - a young journalist from Italy Hosts: Lana Pasic and Dariusz Grzemny Transcript: https://eu-coe-youth-partnership.transistor.fm/episodes/how-to-be-more-sustainable-in-mobility-projects/transcript Links:Event website: https://pjp-eu.coe.int/en/web/youth-partnership/conference-2023The Youth Partnership's resources on sustainability, climate change and environment: https://pjp-eu.coe.int/en/web/youth-partnership/sustainability-environment-and-climate-changeHow sustainability saved my life? - an article by Georgia Verna: https://youth.europa.eu/year-of-youth/young-journalists/how-sustainability-saved-my-life_en