From early September until the end of October 2023, participants engaged in horizon scanning to identify weak signals, trends and drivers that could impact the future of youth work. This involved monitoring advancements in technology, shifts in societal attitudes or human ecology, policy developments and innovative practices. Participants were encouraged to observe and note insights from various sources, including news, advertisements and casual conversations, as signals could emerge from unexpected sources. Participants were advised to maintain an open and curious mindset, embrace creativity and think beyond the most probable futures. They were encouraged to structure this activity flexibly, devoting time each day or week to systematically scan and monitor diverse sources of information.
The ‘signal spotters’ participating in the project come from diverse backgrounds and expertise, embodying the richness of a global community with a shared purpose. Their professions range widely – from strategic foresight specialists to pedagogues, social researchers and even financial experts – with many deeply engaged in youth and social work. Their varied interests span international relations, sustainability, non-formal education, digital innovation and mental health, showcasing an impressive breadth of professional interests deeply rooted in both analytical and creative domains. These spotters are based across 25 European countries, adding layers of cultural perspectives to the project. From Europe’s vibrant cities to remote islands championing sustainability, their geographic spread underlines the project’s commitment to inclusivity and the recognition of varied societal needs. Their collective endeavours in youth work – be it leading NGOs, facilitating youth clubs or engaging in policy advocacy – underline a commitment to empowerment and education. Many hold roles as educators, trainers or project managers, where they blend their knowledge with practical skills to foster growth and resilience among youths.
The pursuit of a foresight project of this magnitude has been met with enthusiasm, but also challenges, as not every spotter who embarked on this journey could cross the finish line with their signals due to various unforeseen circumstances. The call for signal spotters was published in July 2023 and by the August deadline, applications had been received from 103 potential signal spotters. Those registered were invited to join the online project Discord community and participate in a half-day onboarding session. Those who engaged in this process, received a Signal Spotter ID, resulting in a group of 87 registered signal spotters.
Ultimately, 39 signal spotters submitted their scans. Their contributions formed the backbone of this research, allowing the team to work with valuable insights. This core of dedicated spotters provided the project with rich data and a multifaceted look into the potential futures of youth work. Some of those initially registered did not participate actively due to lack of time and resources, as well as the perceived difficulties of the task or insecurity over whether they actually had something to contribute. Participation was strictly voluntary, and the original level of interest indicates a high degree of curiosity around the project.
Two half-day onboarding sessions were conducted on the 7th and 8th of September 2023 for all participants who confirmed their involvement in the project. The sessions introduced the research background, objectives and an overview of the Foresight methodology. Discussions were held on the role of a signal spotter, and an interactive exercise was conducted to help participants adopt the necessary mindset. Guidelines on reporting signals were explained, and the sessions concluded with an overview of the next steps, including a future Resonance workshop planned for February 2024. The aim of the onboarding sessions was to prepare participants to actively contribute as signal spotters, shaping the research and contributing to the understanding of the futures of youth work.
Participants were asked to systematically record their insights and sources. They submitted their scans via a Google Form provided after the onboarding sessions, including a title, a brief written description of the source and a written description of the insight about the future of youth work sparked by the source. Participants were encouraged to submit 1-2 scans per week to maintain momentum throughout the exercise. To facilitate communication and create a collaborative space, an online community on Discord was established. Participants were asked to join, introduce themselves and engage in discussions, sharing reflections and questions about the process.
At the end of this process, 159 scans were gathered, which included a range of insights from a variety of sources, ranging from news, research, culture and government legislation to dinnertime conversations and personal observations.