Verke is the national Centre of Expertise for Digital Youth Work in Finland.

1. CENTRE OF EXPERTISE FOR DIGITAL YOUTH WORK

2. • In operation since 2011 with funding from
the Finnish Ministry of Education and
Culture Administrated by the city of
Helsinki
• 7 full-time employees, each with their own
areas of focus (see https://www.verke.org/
contact-us/?lang=en )
• Target group: youth workers, youth work
planning officers, managers and youth
work lecturers in municipalities, NGO’s and
parishes

4. CENTRES OF EXPERTISE IN THE YOUTH FIELD
12 Youth work centres of expertise form a network supporting the
implementation of the objectives set out in the National Youth Work
and Youth Policy Programme 2017-2019. The centres are organised
under the following priority areas:
1. Participation of young people
2. Social empowerment of young people
3. Digital youth work and information and counselling services for
young people
4. Improvement of the quality and methods of youth work

5. TASKS FOR CENTRES OF EXPERTISE
• The Ministry of Education and Culture appoints the centres of expertise
for a fixed period to support the implementation of the objectives set
out in the National Youth Work and Youth Policy Programme
• The centres of expertise develop and promote competence, expertise
and communications in the youth sector in accordance with the Youth
Act
• The current funding period for the Centres is 2018-2019
• Further information: https://minedu.fi/en/national-youth-centres

6. ”Everyone working in the field of
youth should have the opportunity
to use and implement digital media
and technology as a part of their
work.”
-Verke’s vision

7. Verke’s goals 2018-2019
1. Knowledge of ways of using digital media and technology will
increase and expand in the field of youth work
2. The structures of youth work will support the use of digital media and
technology in youth work
3. Innovative youth work services and concepts using digital media and
technology will be created

8. What does Verke do?
Trains professionals:
Last year over 2600 participants
in 14 provinces
Produces materials:
videos, guides, article
publications, podcasts etc.
Consults:
Innovation partnerships,
memberships in steering groups
Facilitates networking:
SomeCamp, Friday chats, other events
Researches:
Surveys on digital youth work,
research collaborations
Communicates:
newsletter, blog,
social media, #digi10-challenge

9. Focal points in 2019
New technologies and technology education
• Publication “Maker activities in youth work”
• Video series: “What should a youth worker know about…”
Organisational development
• “Innobox”: tool to support new kinds of innovation in the field of
digital youth work
• Publication “Digitalisation and youth work”
• A survey on the current status & future expectations of digital
youth work in municipalities
• Qualitative research on digitalisation in the field of youth work
and the digital competencies gained in youth worker training
International co-operation
• Conclusions on digital youth work during the Finnish EU-
presidency
• Erasmus+ strategic partnership project gathering good
practices and developing training (www.digitalyouthwork.eu)

10. Topics in Verke’s trainings
and materials
• Digitalisation and the future of technology
• AI as a colleague
• AR (added reality) and VR (virtual reality) in youth work
• New forms of youth participation
• Social media and digital games in youth work
• Strategic development of digital youth work
• Technology education and electronic tinkering in youth work
• See also: https://www.verke.org/materials-2/?lang=en
Training sessions are
always tailored to the
needs and wishes of the
organisations

11. Follow Verke in
social media! English podcast can be found
on our website (www.verke.org)!
@verkeorg

12. Do you need consultation in
developing your digital youth
work practice?
Send us an email at: info@verke.org!