Program
KEKS CONFERENCE 2026
This year’s big meeting place for all of us that love youth work!
For three days we are gathering more than 700 youth workers from 13 European countries. Together we are filling Lindholmen with new ideas, experiences, laughter and important conversations.
The program is a ‘smörgåsbord’ of seminars, workshops and study visits. You get the chance to get familiar with new methods and tools, learn more about various themes and get inspired by good practices. How is it to work with young people in Ukraine and Armenia? How can we work with inclusion and counter-act racism and anti-democratic ideas? What characterises quality youth work and what kind of support is there to develop it together?
Our presenters come from KEKS members all over Sweden and Europe, but also from other organisations that in various ways work with young people.
But, what would a conference be without mingle – without coffee breaks, dinners and a big party?!?
What would a conference be without YOU – your thoughts, experiences and ideas?!?
It is YOU who makes our conference, so…
Come as you are. Be challenged, widen your horizons, open up and contribute…
and go back home with new ideas, experiences and friends!
We build the youth work of the future together!
May 20-22, 2026
Lindholmen Conference Center
Gothenburg, Sweden
May 20th
11.00 Registrering opens
11.00-12.45
Lunch (pre-booked only)
13.00-14.30 Opening:
Key note speaker Liz Green
14.30-15.00 break
15.00-16.15 Seminar session-1
18.00-24.00 Dinner and party @ Kooperativet
May 21st
8.30-9.45 Seminar session-2
9.45-10.15 break
10.15-12.15 Seminar session-3
12.15-13.30 Lunch (included for all)
13.30-14.45 Seminar session-4
14.45-15.15 break
15.15-16.30 Seminar session-5
18.00 Dinner @ Bistro (pre-booked only)
May 22nd
9.00-10.30 Seminar session-6
10.30-11.00 break
11.00-12.00 KEKS AWARDS & Closing
12.00-13.00 Lunch (pre-booked only)
Opening
Welcome speakers
Young urban planners
Young Urban Planners Northeast is a model that gives young people the opportunity to influence urban planning within the northeast district of Gothenburg. Projects are both shorter and longer, ranging from designing a specific place to contributing knowledge and young people’s perspectives when changing entire residential areas.
Jenny Haglund, secretary general KEKS
Key note speaker - Liz Green 🇬🇧
Scotland’s National Youth Work Outcome and Skills Framework
In a world in which impact and measurement have increasing focus – how can the youth work sector respond in a way that is non-reductive, values based and firmly centres young people?
Liz Green will share Scotland’s journey developing their National Youth Work Outcome and Skills Framework and how it is used in planning, evaluation, and inter-disciplinary partnerships. Can an outcome framework be owned by the sector, driven by the benefit to young people and strategically impactful?
Liz Green is Workforce and Practice Manager at YouthLink Scotland, the national agency for youth work. She has over 25 years’ experience in youth work, from being a teenage participant to volunteer, qualified youth worker and now supporting the sector with a focus on practice development, policy and partnerships.
Event hosts
Stella Eriksson och Tony Weseth
Our beloved hosts from previous years are returning and will guide us through the opening ceremony. In their everyday work, they are based at Arena Satelliten in Sollentuna
Party!
All conference participants are invited to dinner and party at Kooperativet from 18:00 to 24:00 on Wednesday, May 20.
Here we’ll enjoy street food from all around the world, mingle, dance, play games, and put our brains to the test in the annual quiz!
Location: Kooperativet, Anders Carlssons gata 2, Lindholmen
Seminar session 1 - May 20, 15.00-16.15
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1B: Youth work development 2.0
Leading development processes isn’t easy. In this workshop you will get to know a brand-new web-based toolkit for youth work development in line with the Charter – The EGL Youth Work Development Toolkit.
Through the toolkit you get support to run a step-by-step development process, taking you from where you are to where you want to be. Furthermore, you will find some short films and other materials that will help you to develop and inform about your work. We’ll start with a short introduction, then you will have the chance to try out the toolkit yourself and start to plan your future development work. Bring a computer.
Presenter: Jonas Agdur, KEKS, creator of the toolkit
Time: 75 minutes
Language: English
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1F: Youth work in Armenia and INEDNET
INEDNET is a youth NGO that runs various activities and projects for young people in Armenia. So, what conditions are they working under, what does the Armenian ‘youth work landscape’ look like, and how come they are so successful in running European projects?
Get to know this and at the same time get inspired by two of their recent projects; MIL Clubs on media and information literacy, and BUDGETIFY on participatory budgeting. Alingsås is participating in BUDGETIFY and InEdNet are members of KEKS. So, we are looking forward to running more projects together! Are you on?
Presenters: Diana Yeghiazaryan, Harutyun Tsatryan , INEDNET
Time: 75 minutes
Language: English
Seminar session 2 - May 21, 8.30-9.45
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2A: Youth work in Ukraine
During this seminar you will get to know about youth work in Ukraine – how is it organised, which are the aims and what kind of activities are there? Zaporizhzhia is located in the southeast of Ukraine, and the youth centre is fairly new. So, which are the challenges for both youth work and young people in times of war, and what kind of discussions and activities does this lead to?
Presenter: Daria Beliaieva, deputy head, Zaporizhzhia Youth Centre
Time: 75 min
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2C: Mental Health First Aid
Participants get an introduction to mental health first aid, with a focus on young people's mental health.
Mental health first aid is about understanding and identifying signs of mental illness, recognizing crises, training listening, and being able to refer for professional help. The seminar focuses on young people's mental health - what is health/illness and what characterizes adolescence - and presents a five-step method as support for responding to people who are mentally ill.
The seminar is based on the Mental Health First Aid, MHFA, method, which aims to increase knowledge about mental illness. In Sweden, NASP, the National Center for Suicide Prevention, is responsible for ensuring that the method has high evidence and is updated regularly. The seminar ends with time for reflection and examples from the participants' own activities.
Presenter: Karolina Rosenlöf, kurator, Hisingens Ungdomsmottagning
Time: 75 min
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2H: STUDY VISIT: Around the Corner (Runt Hörnet)
Around the corner (Runt Hörnet) is an open meeting place for young people from 12 to 20 years old. Since the start in 2019, it has been developed together with young people, based on their needs and ideas. Starting from 300 empty square meters, they have evolved into a creative, lively, and inclusive place where everybody is welcome.
During this study visit, participants will follow their journey from the start to where they are today and get to hear about the challenges, experiences, and lessons learned, that staff has encountered along the way.
Around the corner is LGBTI+ certified with the aim of being a safe and respectful place where young people can be themselves, develop, and find their own path. The study visit includes ‘fika’, a guided tour through the premises, and time for questions.
Presenters: Staff from Around the corner
Location: Runt Hörnet, Torslanda, Gothenburg
Time: 2 hours. If you choose a study visit, the next seminar will be blocked, since each study visit lasts over two seminar slots.
Transport: We go together by public transport, tickets are included.
Seminar session 3 - May 21, 10.15-12.15
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3B: Creating a Learning Environment
How do we create a learning environment in youth work, and what competencies are needed to do this in the best possible way? In this workshop, you will get to know KEKS’ curriculum for youth work and competencies framework.
For these documents to come alive, they need to be actively used. KEKS has therefore developed questions for reflection linked to the curriculum, and a self-assessment tool related to the competencies. After a short presentation of the documents and the ideas behind them, participants will have the opportunity to try them out together and to reflect on themselves and their activities.
By looking at ourselves from the outside, and daring to ask questions about weaknesses and challenges, we can identify our needs and grow as youth workers. By reflecting on how and what young people learn through taking part, we can further develop our practice. This workshop, a favourite from last year, gives you the tools to do just that!
Presenter: Jenny Haglund, Secretary General, KEKS
Duration: 120 minutes
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3E: Art, participation and norm-breaking
This lecture and workshop highlights art and creativity as tools for youth workers.
Saadia Hussain, artist, educator and activist, shares her experiences from art projects with an emphasis on democracy and freedom of expression. Through collective creation and participatory processes as well as inclusive and norm-critical methods, she explores the possibilities of art to promote participation and creativity. Participants get to try different artistic expressions and reflect together during the workshop.
Presenter: Saadia Hussain, artist, educator and activist
Seminar session 4 - May 21, 13.30-14.45
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4B: Youth work policy essentials
Which are the essential components of a local youth work policy, what does it take to develop one, and which are the potential effects? This seminar presents five core components that characterise a strong local youth work policy, followed by concrete examples from two municipalities that have strengthened their youth work through a well-elaborated policy. How did they do this, and what effects can they see?
Presenters: Jonas Agdur, KEKS, Vidmantas Mitkus, City of Vilnius, Hannes Norrby, Municipality of Alingsås
Time: 75 min
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4C: Compassion as the Heart of a Youth Center
This seminar is structured in three parts:
First, the work of Public Institution Mladi zmaji in local youth work in Ljubljana will be presented. Second, the development of Ljubljana Youth Centre, a 2.000 m² youth hub initiated by the City of Ljubljana, will be outlined. The co-creation process with young people and strategic partners will be described and compassion will be presented as a structural principle of leadership, space design and programme development.
Third, a short experiential workshop will introduce practical tools for cultivating compassion and self-compassion.
The seminar will conclude with reflection and evaluation. Participants will reflect on how the principles of compassion can shape organisational culture and youth work practice.
Presenter: Ksenja Perko, Director, Public Institution Mladi zmaji, City of Ljubljana
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4H: STUDY VISIT: Bagarns meeting place
During this study visit you will learn how a youth-led youth centre can make real difference. Through giving young people the tools and the power to shape their own leisure time, Bagarns meeting place creates not only more engaging and relevant activities, but also a stronger sense of community and belonging. Discover how they use The Chronometer, a fund where young people can apply for micro-grants, to increase young people’s engagement and participation, and how they use The Logbook to systematically document and develop their work. This approach is used in all meeting places for young people in the city district.
Presenters: Staff from Bagarns
Location: Bagarns meeting place, Gamlestaden
Time: 2 hours. If you choose a study visit, the following seminar session will be blocked, since each study visit covers two seminar slots.
Transport: Shared trip by public transport, ticket included.
Seminar 5 - May 21, 15.15-16.30
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5B: AI and democracy
AI is on its way to reshape young people’s everyday lives, the media landscape and our democratic structures. In this seminar, Ali from Digidem Lab introduces AI as a key democratic issue for the future and explores how we can foster safe, curious, and critical conversations with young people about the opportunities and risks of emerging technologies. Participants will also take part in an interactive workshop inspired by Digidem Lab’s methods for democratic technology dialogues, aiming at helping both staff and young people to understand and be able to influence the digital reality that shapes their lives.
Presenter: Ali Tabrizi from Digidem Lab, Executive Director of the Nordic region’s independent democracy lab and co-creator of the training program Power, Morality and Machines.
Time: 75 min
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5C: Youth Work in Scotland – recognising and reflecting on learning
Join YouthLink Scotland to hear more about youth work in Scotland, connect with some practice examples and reflect on different approaches to recognising young people’s learning and development through youth work.
We will dive deeper into the National Youth Work Outcomes and Skills Framework and explore how this and other frameworks can be applied to your practice. In Scotland we're using this practice model for a range of purposes such as planning, impact evaluation, recognition of learning and multi-disciplinary working. The interactive session will create space to discuss your priorities and approaches.
Presenter: Liz Green, YouthLink Scottland
Time: 75 min
Seminar session 6 - May 22, 9.00-10.30
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6B: What characterises quality youth work
The Council of Europe Recommendation on Youth Work, the European Charter on Local Youth Work, together with the EU resolution on youth work policy in an empowering Europe, defines what characterises quality in youth work.
However, who actually reads documents from the Council of Europe and the EU? KEKS has therefore created a web-based, interactive tool, where we have summarised these documents in eight core quality areas and what it takes to live up to them.
In this workshop you get a presentation of the tool and a chance to try it out. Does your organisation provide quality youth work?
Presenter: Anders Johansson, KEKS
Duration: 90 min
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6F: From Idea to International Cooperation - contact making seminar
Are you curious about what Erasmus+ can offer your organisation, or do you have a project idea waiting for the right context?
Whether you are an experienced practitioner or completely new to the field, we invite you to a seminar dedicated to building connections and unlocking European opportunities. Our goal is to lower the barriers to international exchange by combining practical guidance with the most essential ingredient of any successful project, the right partnership.
During the seminar, we will draw inspiration from organisations that have already made the journey, focusing on how to get started and what to consider throughout the process – from initial idea to choosing your partners. A central feature of the seminar is the "networking arena", where you can present your thoughts, sketch out new concepts or ideas, and connect with colleagues from across Europe.
No pre-prepared plans are required to participate – your curiosity is more than enough. Come as you are and leave with new perspectives and, hopefully, a future partner for your international project.
Facilitator: Marie Falk, KEKS
Time: 90 min
May 22, 11.00-12.00
KEKS Awards & Closing
KEKS AWARDS 2026
We will conclude the conference by celebrating the efforts and initiatives that have made a difference in youth work! During the KEKS Awards 2026, we will present awards to organisations and individuals who, through their commitment and innovative thinking, have helped strengthen young people’s participation and development.
Read more:: KEKS AWARDS 2026
Closing ceremony
Our hosts, Stella Eriksson and Tony Weseth, will guide us through the highlights of the conference, and the KEKS Secretary General will round things off with some closing remarks before we say goodbye for now!
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An email has been sent to all participants with information on how to select seminars. The email is sent from noreply@event.trippus.com.
Please check your spam filter and junk folder if the email has not arrived.
If you still have not received the email, please contact ylva.medin@kek.se.
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You can register allergies and special dietary requirements through your booking confirmation. This has been sent to you by email. Click on Edit activities.
The last day to submit this information is 12 April. -
Interest in this year’s conference has been fantastic, and all regular tickets have already been booked through our Early Bird offer.
Therefore, we will soon release additional tickets – see below! -
Those who purchase tickets in the additional release will take part in the opening and closing sessions via streaming in a separate room at the conference venue, but can otherwise participate in the conference as usual.
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An email containing a link has been sent to everyone registered as Early Bird. This link takes you to a page where you can select the seminars you wish to attend and provide any allergy or dietary requirements.
If you are responsible for the booking (the main booker), it is important that you enter the names and contact details of all participants in your group. This must be done so that these participants can choose their seminars.
In your confirmation email from Trippus, you will find a link to your booking. There, you can add the names and contact details of everyone included in your booking.
If you are missing your confirmation email, please contact Ylva Medin:
ylva.medin@keks.se -
You will receive access to a web app containing your personal schedule. A link to this app will be sent out approximately one week before the conference.