Mobility of Youth Workers is the Erasmus+ action that funds people who work with young people to go abroad, learn new methods, and grow professionally. It is not a single event but an umbrella covering several formats, from training courses and seminars to study visits and job shadowing. If you are a youth worker, trainer, project coordinator or NGO staff member, this is your route to build skills and an international network, with your costs covered.
What Is Mobility of Youth Workers? 👥
Under Erasmus+, Mobility of Youth Workers (part of Key Action 1) supports the professional development of people active in youth work. Rather than one fixed activity, it is a set of formats that all share the same goal: helping youth workers learn from peers across Europe and bring new ideas back home. There is no upper age limit, what matters is your role, not your age.
New to the programme? Start with what Erasmus+ is.
The Different Formats 🎯
Mobility of Youth Workers can take several shapes. The main ones:
🎓 Training Courses — Structured non-formal learning events (usually 5 to 10 days) to build methods and skills. This is the most common format. Read our full guide to what a Training Course is.
🗣️ Seminars — Thematic meetings to discuss, exchange practice and develop cooperation around a specific youth topic.
👀 Study Visits — Short organised visits to see youth work in practice in another country and learn directly from host organisations. Read what an Erasmus+ Study Visit is.
🤝 Job Shadowing — Spending time observing and working alongside colleagues in a host organisation abroad to learn how they do things day to day.
🔗 Peer Learning and Networking — Activities that connect youth workers to share experience, build partnerships and start new projects together.
Who Can Take Part? 🙌
These activities are for people involved in youth work:
👩🏫 Youth workers, trainers and educators
🏢 NGO staff and project coordinators
🎯 Young leaders active in youth organisations
There are no academic requirements and, for most activities, no upper age limit. See exactly who can apply and the age limits by activity.
How Long Do They Last and What's Covered? 💶
Durations vary by format, from a few days for a study visit up to a couple of weeks for a training course. Erasmus+ funds these activities, so you do not pay to take part. Typically covered:
✈️ Travel, funded within distance bands
🏠 Accommodation and meals during the activity
📚 Materials and organisational support
🛡️ Insurance for the activity
⚠️ Honest note: travel is reimbursed by distance band, so on very long trips it may not cover the full ticket. For the full breakdown, see what Erasmus+ covers.
Mobility of Youth Workers vs a Training Course 🔎
People often use these terms interchangeably, but there is a clear relationship: Mobility of Youth Workers is the umbrella, and a Training Course is one format within it. So every training course is a youth worker mobility, but youth worker mobility also includes seminars, study visits and job shadowing. If a hands-on skills course is what you want, go straight to our Training Course guide.
How to Apply 🧳
The process is straightforward:
1️⃣ Find an open activity on youthworkshub.org
2️⃣ Read the details and check it fits your role and goals
3️⃣ Apply through the listing with a short motivation and CV
4️⃣ Get selected and prepare for your mobility 🎒
To strengthen your application, see how to write a motivation letter, prepare your Europass CV, and follow the full how to apply guide. Ready to browse? See all open Erasmus+ opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions ❓
Is a training course the same as mobility of youth workers?
Not exactly. Mobility of Youth Workers is the umbrella action, and a training course is one format within it, alongside seminars, study visits and job shadowing.
Is there an age limit for youth worker mobility?
Most activities have no upper age limit. They are for people active in youth work, so your role matters more than your age.
Do I need to be a professional youth worker?
No. Experience or genuine involvement in youth work is enough. NGO staff, volunteers and active young leaders can take part, with no academic requirements.
Is it funded?
Yes. Erasmus+ covers accommodation, meals, materials and insurance, and reimburses travel within distance bands, so very long trips may not be fully covered.
What is job shadowing?
Spending time observing and working alongside colleagues in a host organisation abroad to learn their methods and practices directly.
In Short 🧭
Mobility of Youth Workers is the Erasmus+ umbrella for professional development in youth work: training courses, seminars, study visits, job shadowing and networking. Whichever format fits your goal, it is funded and open to anyone active in youth work, with no upper age limit.
👉 Find your next opportunity: Erasmus+ projects on Youth Works Hub
