This May, Institute Circle took part in the 18th Deutscher Kinder- und Jugendhilfetag (DJHT) in Leipzig — the biggest event for child and youth welfare in Europe. Held at the Leipziger Messe from 13 to 15 May, the event gathered hundreds of youth workers, educators, organizations, and institutions from all over Europe. With around 300 events and just as many exhibition stands, it was a great place to learn, connect, and exchange ideas.

During the congress, we attended several inspiring panels and discussions, including:

“How does (European) youth work support meaningful political participation of young people in a polarised world?” A session focused on how youth work can create space for young people to engage politically, even in today’s divided and shrinking civic landscapes.

“Digital Youth Work” This session focused on how youth work can keep up with the fast-changing digital world — not just by following trends, but by helping young people understand what’s really going on behind the screens. During the panel, a new analysis was presented from the DIYW-ROAD project, titled European Youth in the Digital Transformation (Zimmermann & Pirker, 2025, DARE Network).

The research reminds us how digitalisation is already a normal part of life for young people — and that youth work needs to treat it that way. But it also shows that we often focus too much on quick fixes: teaching how to spot fake news or how to use the latest app. What’s often missing is the bigger picture — like who controls digital platforms, how personal data is used, and what impact all of this has on democracy and the environment.

Some key takeaways:

●      Youth work should give space to talk about data, power, and rights — not just safety.

●      Environmental concerns need to be linked to digital habits (e.g. how long we use our devices, e-waste, etc.).

●      We need more support and training for youth workers to feel confident talking about these topics.

●      Young people should be seen not just as users of tech, but as active citizens with a say in how it shapes their future.

🔗 The full report is available here: https://dare-network.eu/digital-youth-work/

“The Role of Youth Workers in the Digital Era: Challenges and Opportunities in the Age of AI” A timely discussion about the impact of AI and digitalisation on youth work, and how we can respond to these changes with creativity and care.

“Youth Mobility in Europe – Results of Current Youth Surveys” Presented by Eurodesk, this session shared fresh data on how young people are moving across Europe and what that means for their learning, growth, and participation.

“Political Education as a Path to More Diversity and Participation” Organized by the Deutsch-Französisches Jugendwerk (DFJW), this workshop explored how international youth exchanges can be spaces of inclusion, political empowerment, and democratic learning. It emphasized the importance of giving young people tools to actively shape society and understand diverse perspectives. The workshop showcased DFJW’s long-term strategy “Diversity and Participation,” which since 2015 has aimed to make youth programs more accessible to those who face barriers due to discrimination or exclusion.

Participants reflected on the outcomes of two DFJW forums held in 2024 — one on quality standards in political education in international youth work, and another on inclusion in youth encounters. Through small group and plenary discussions, international participants developed shared positions on values, methods, and opportunities for political youth education.

The workshop encouraged critical thinking, exchange of experiences, and the co-creation of new perspectives — with the hope that its results will continue to inform future policy and practice in inclusive youth work.

Being part of DJHT was a great opportunity for us to connect with like-minded people, explore current challenges in youth work, and bring home new ideas for our projects and partnerships.

 More about the event: https://www.jugendhilfetag.de