Belgium

German-speaking community

Youth information work in Ostbelgien, the Germanspeaking Community of Belgium, is coordinated by the independent non-profit organisations Infotreff Eupen and JIZ Sankt Vith.

Both structures are funded by the Ministry of the German-Speaking Community. Youth information work forms an integral part of youth work, with its legal foundations established by the Dekret zur Förderung der Jugendarbeit / Decree to Promote Youth Work (2011).

Youth policy falls within the competence of the German-speaking Community. Youth services are provided by youth centres, youth clubs, hobby schools, youth organisations, schools, etc. There is also a Jugendbüro (youth bureau). The youth office is a service provider for extracurricular child and youth work in the German-speaking community of Belgium and promotes the strategy of lifelong learning. They coordinate most of the youth workers and youth centres, street work, the Youth Council and the National Agency for European programmes such as Erasmus�. The youth information centres work closely with the youth office at different levels. Other youth services are provided by independent youth centres, youth clubs, hobby schools, youth organisations, schools, etc.

Youth information worker is not recognised as a profession in Belgium. However, “youth worker” is. Youth information centres are specifically regulated within the youth decree, so even though youth information worker is not recognised, youth information is recognised as a specific field within youth work.

To be employed as a youth information worker, it is necessary to have a diploma in the field of social work. Other studies can also be accepted but must be approved be the Youth Commission of the German-Speaking Community.