This master’s thesis explores the experiences of youth leaders active in youth work across various contexts of engaging with young people. The theoretical part outlines the concept of youth work and its key principles, as defined by major actors in both the Slovenian and international arenas. The role of youth leaders in youth work is identified as a central element of social cohesion, representing and (re)producing young people’s active participation in society. This serves as an important protective factor, ensuring their direct involvement in youth work. The empirical part investigates the experiences of six active young individuals serving as youth leaders in the youth sector, selected through a purposive sample. The study examines the advantages of participating in youth leadership, identifies key challenges youth leaders face in practice, and explores the perceived impact of this role on psychosocial development, career opportunities, and the sense of co-creating community in an increasingly individualized society. Through a critical lens, the thesis also addresses the issue of radical changes in postmodern society, which bring forth complex questions related to youth work and youth leadership. A qualitative research approach was applied, using semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed through qualitative content analysis. The findings reveal that youth leaders recognize numerous benefits of their role—opportunities for active participation and assuming responsibility—while also reporting enhanced skills and key competencies, the expansion of their social networks, and advantages linked to their youth leader status. However, they also face challenges, primarily concerning the boundaries between the personal and professional spheres, as well as difficulties related to leading young people. Youth leaders describe the role as having a significant influence on their psychosocial and career development. They perceive youth leadership in youth work as a foundation for building community and envision it as meaningful for a future rooted in solidarity.
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