Preparing for Spring 2025: Youth Work in Times of Polarisation and Inner Resistance

As we move toward spring, this period invites growth, renewal, and strategic preparation. For youth workers, spring is rarely just seasonal change — it is the beginning of new programmes, outdoor activities, mobility projects, advocacy campaigns, and community initiatives.

But growth does not happen automatically. It requires conscious direction.

This year, the energy of renewal comes with a particular challenge: how do we build steadily and sustainably in a time marked by political polarisation, populist narratives, radicalisation trends, and increasing mental health vulnerability among young people?

Step-by-Step Growth Instead of Quick Reactions

In youth work, we often face urgent issues: online hate speech, misinformation, conspiracy theories, extremist content, populist messaging targeting vulnerable youth. The temptation is to react quickly and emotionally.

However, sustainable impact is built step by step.

Spring is an excellent moment to reinforce long-term strategies:

• Strengthening critical thinking competences.

• Developing democratic dialogue formats.

• Building trust-based relationships with young people.

• Embedding media literacy into everyday activities.

• Practising the “1% rule” — small, consistent improvements that compound over time.

Radicalisation rarely happens overnight. It develops gradually — through repeated exposure, emotional manipulation, and unaddressed frustration. Our response must be equally steady and strategic.

Filtering Populist Messages and Supporting Youth Navigation

Young people today are constantly exposed to simplified narratives: “us vs. them,” emotional blame, fear-based mobilisation, charismatic but divisive figures. Populist messages are powerful because they offer clarity in complex times and belonging in moments of insecurity.

As youth workers, our role is not to tell young people what to think — but to equip them with tools to think.

This includes:

• Encouraging multi-perspective discussions.

• Teaching how algorithms shape online content.

• Practising fact-checking and source evaluation.

• Creating safe spaces for disagreement without hostility.

• Modelling diplomatic communication and empathy.

Often, radical or populist attraction is less about ideology and more about unmet needs: belonging, recognition, identity, purpose. If we address those needs constructively, the appeal of extreme narratives decreases.

The Hidden Barrier: Our Own Inner Resistance

Spring growth is not only about external challenges. It also requires examining our own internal patterns.

Sometimes we resist change — new methods, new partnerships, new policy engagement — not because they are wrong, but because they feel unfamiliar or uncomfortable. Outdated habits and limiting beliefs can become invisible obstacles in our professional development.

We may avoid difficult conversations about political manipulation or radicalisation because they feel too sensitive. We may postpone integrating media literacy because it seems complex. We may underestimate the long-term impact of ignoring subtle warning signs.

Before launching new initiatives this spring, it is worth asking:

• What habits in our organisation may limit growth?

• Are we reacting to short-term pressures instead of building long-term resilience?

• What are we avoiding because it feels uncomfortable?

Often, the fastest path to meaningful progress is addressing our own fears directly — whether that means strengthening our facilitation skills, seeking professional supervision, or building alliances with experts.

Mental Health as a Protective Factor

Mental health tools are not separate from democratic resilience — they are foundational to it.

Young people who:

• understand their emotions,

• can regulate frustration,

• feel a sense of belonging,

• have spaces to express doubts safely,

• and experience supportive adult relationships

are significantly less vulnerable to radicalisation and manipulation.

Mental health work strengthens:

• emotional regulation,

• identity formation,

• resilience to polarising narratives,

• and capacity for constructive dialogue.

This spring, integrating mental health practices into youth programmes is not an “extra” — it is preventive democratic work.

A Call for Spring 2025

Spring is about activation — but thoughtful activation.

Let us:

• Plan strategically rather than react impulsively.

• Strengthen diplomatic dialogue rather than deepen division.

• Build habits that support long-term democratic participation.

• Support young people in navigating complexity instead of simplifying it for them.

• Address fear — both theirs and ours — with courage and professionalism.

Youth work remains one of the strongest protective environments against radicalisation, populism, and social fragmentation. But only if we consciously cultivate mindset change, strategic thinking, and emotional resilience — step by step.

This spring, let growth be steady, intentional, and rooted in both critical thinking and compassion.