A new Transnational Research Report on burnout-risk profiles among youth workers has been published within the Y-CARE – Youth-Centered Approaches for Resilience and Empowerment project, implemented under the Erasmus+ programme.
The report provides an in-depth analysis of mental wellbeing, burnout risks, work–life balance, organisational support, and peer support mechanisms in youth work across six European countries: Croatia, Austria, Italy, Greece, Poland, and France.
What is the report about?
The study combines quantitative and qualitative research, including a transnational wellbeing survey, reflection roundtables, and focus groups with youth workers, educators, psychologists, and social professionals. In total, data from over 120 active youth workers were analysed, offering a grounded picture of everyday realities in the sector.
The findings clearly show that burnout among youth workers is not an individual problem, but a consequence of systemic and organisational conditions. High emotional demands, blurred boundaries between work and private life, unstable workloads, staff shortages, and limited access to supervision or psychological support were reported across all partner countries.
Key findings and insights
One of the most important outcomes of the report is the identification of three recurring transnational burnout-risk profiles, observed across different national contexts:
- High emotional load with weak organisational support, often leading to serious exhaustion and intentions to leave the sector.
- Moderate exhaustion buffered by strong but informal peer support, which offers short-term relief but remains fragile.
- More stable organisational environments with higher participation and psychological safety, which reduce, but do not eliminate, burnout risk.
A particularly interesting finding concerns peer support. While informal peer support is widespread and highly valued, it is rarely structured, facilitated, or recognised as working time. In some cases, unmoderated peer spaces can even reinforce stress instead of relieving it. The report highlights innovative ideas, such as interest-based or moderated peer groups, as promising and more sustainable solutions.
Another key insight is the role of psychological safety and participation. Youth workers who feel heard, involved in decision-making, and supported by empathetic leadership report significantly lower burnout risk, even when workloads remain high.
Why does it matter?
The report provides strong evidence that current wellbeing practices in youth work often rely too heavily on individual coping strategies, such as self-funded therapy or personal boundary-setting, rather than preventive organisational measures. This approach is neither fair nor sustainable.
The findings directly inform the next phase of the Y-CARE project, shaping:
- targeted training programmes on burnout prevention and boundary management,
- the design of structured peer support networks, and
- the development of the Y-CARE digital platform with practical, low-threshold tools for youth workers.
Looking ahead
By documenting real experiences from across Europe, the Transnational Research Report positions Y-CARE as a response to clearly identified needs in the youth work sector. Strengthening youth workers’ wellbeing is not only essential for their own health, but also for the quality and sustainability of youth work as a profession.
The full report is available here: https://y-careproject.eu/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Y-CARE-Transnational-research-report.pdf
