to be based on voluntary participation – on young people being active in youth work out of their own will and motivation

Voluntary participation is the basis and necessary pre-requisite for youth work, mentioned in all major European policy documents. An activity where young people are forced to take part could, however good it might be, never be characterised as youth work.

Youth work could be carried out also, for example, in schools or prisons, but is ceases to be youth work if young people participate for other reasons than their own will and motivation.