As part of its broader efforts to promote inclusive societies and create better conditions for young people's meaningful participation, the OSCE Mission to Montenegro has supported dialogue among relevant stakeholders on the role of youth work and the recognition of youth workers. These discussions were part of the event "STANDARD(NO) - CV of a Profession," held on 3 November in Podgorica, where a proposal for occupational standards for youth workers was presented.
Organized by the Association of Youth Work Practitioners in Montenegro (UPORCG) and the Mission, the event brought together youth work practitioners, representatives of public institutions and civil society organizations to discuss the proposed occupational standard for youth workers. Based on previous consultations with more than 50 stakeholders, the proposed standards aim to better define the competencies and responsibilities of future youth workers. Through interactive sessions, the participants examined the proposed standards, reflected on their professional relevance and contributed with concrete recommendations for improvement.
Opening the event, Deputy Head of the Mission, Giovanni Gabassi, highlighted the importance of youth work in supporting young people's development and meaningful participation in society. He noted that the Mission had supported stakeholder consultations on the possible development of occupational standards, emphasizing that "Their relevance and usefulness will depend on how they are developed, the extent to which they reflect the realities of youth work, and whether they take into account the perspectives of different stakeholders."
General Director of the Directorate for Youth and Co-operation with NGOs in the Ministry of Sports and Youth, Darko Stojanović, noted that occupational standards would help define the profession more precisely. "Through the new Law on Youth, which is currently in the final stages of the adoption process … we have formally recognised youth work and established a starting point and a framework for further dialogue on this issue with young people, civil society organisations and institutions," said Stojanović.
President of UPORCG, Ajša Hadžibegović, highlighted the importance of this milestone for the professional community and the young people it serves. She emphasized that UPORCG's guiding principle is that every young person should have access to quality youth work support, and that developing occupational standards brings this vision closer to reality. "This is a step towards recognising a profession that has long existed in practice," noted Hadžibegović.
Through its support for dialogue among relevant stakeholders, the Mission continues to contribute to efforts to create better opportunities for young people to develop their skills, actively participate in society and have their voices heard in decisions that affect them.
