Leaders of Tomorrow: Rome Hosts the European Bootcamp for Youth Workers
A Week of Learning, Inspiration, and Connection to Shape the Future of Youth Work in Europe
European Network for Change
From May 16 to 21, 2025, Rome became more than just a host city—it transformed into the beating heart of a shared European vision for youth work. The international Bootcamp “Leaders of Tomorrow – Empowering Youth Workers for European Social Change”, funded by Erasmus+ Youth under the KA153-YOU Mobility of Youth Workers call, brought together professionals from across Europe in a week-long journey of collaboration, innovation, and empowerment.
Behind every project are people—and this one brought together an extraordinary group.
Four delegations from different corners of Europe joined forces:
- Italy – SOS Europa APS (coordinator)
- Spain – Euro Mirada
- Greece – Youth Horizons
- Malta – International E-Learning Institute Ltd (IELI)
The project’s international scope turned Rome into a vibrant meeting point of cultures, languages, and perspectives—all united by a common goal: strengthening youth work as a catalyst for inclusion, democracy, and innovation.
Building Skills for a Changing Europe
The Bootcamp wasn’t just about training—it was about transformation. Participants engaged in an intensive and hands-on learning experience focused on five key areas aligned with Erasmus+ priorities: social inclusion, digital transformation, entrepreneurship and leadership.
Every activity was designed not only to build professional skills but also to spark personal growth. Sessions encouraged participants to reflect on their roles, challenge their assumptions, and develop tools to be more effective leaders and facilitators within their local and international communities. The atmosphere was dynamic, honest, and energizing—combining structured content with open dialogue, mutual support, and shared learning.
A Methodology That Empowers
The Bootcamp was guided by the principles of non-formal education, an approach that recognizes the value of experiential learning and active participation. The program combined various interactive methods, including:
- Learning by doing: hands-on activities, practical exercises, and real-world simulations
- Interactive workshops on leadership, intercultural communication, and project management
- Digital tools and platforms to enhance collaboration and improve project design
What made Leaders of Tomorrow unique wasn’t just the content—it was the process. From the very beginning, participants were not simply recipients of knowledge, but co-creators of the experience.
A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go, but ought to be.
– Rosalynn Carter
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader
– Terry a O’Neal
Lasting Impact and Transnational Collaboration
The results of the Bootcamp go far beyond a single week. The skills, methods, and connections built in Rome are now being carried back to local communities, where participants are integrating their learning into real-world programs and initiatives. Organizations involved are already applying these tools to raise the quality of their educational work and amplify their social impact.
A structured dissemination strategy—both internal and external—is in place to maximize the visibility and utility of the outcomes. Combined with impact monitoring tools and the formal validation of learning through Youthpass, the project aims to create a multiplying effect that supports the long-term professional recognition of youth workers across Europe.