RAY LEARN » Research project on organisational development and learning organisations in the European youth sector

In many European countries, some aspects of the youth field are moving at a considerably faster pace than they do in other civil society domains. Programmes and projects tend to be shorter, the turnover of volunteers and staff happens more quickly, and a youthful resistance against rules and procedures is quite common. In combination, this mix presents unique challenges for youth sector organisations, networks as well as institutions in relation to organisational learning and development, a question that is frequently emphasised, but rarely explored.
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Aims & Objectives

This research project aims to explore the trajectories of youth organisations, groups and
networks involved in the European youth programmes over time, as well as their present involvement with the programme offer. The goal is to understand how these organisations, groups and networks relate to the programmes in their learning and development and to determine how to stimulate a more strategic development in this context.

 

The key objectives of this research project are to explore

  • Explore, analyse and compare organisational learning and development phases and trajectories of different types of beneficiaries of the European youth programmes;
  • Explore, analyse and compare organisational learning and development support needs
    of different types of beneficiaries of the European youth programmes;
  • Explore, analyse and compare organisational learning and development support options
    that are available to beneficiaries of the European youth programmes;
  • Develop recommendations on strengthening support for organisational learning and development through the European youth programmes;

Research Questions

The core research questions of the project are:

• What are organisational learning and development trajectories of beneficiaries of the European youth programmes, and how do they differ between different groups/networks/organisations?

• What role does international youth work play for groups/networks/organisations at different stages of their organisational learning and development?

• How can groups/networks/organisations be better supported, empowered and connected through the European youth programmes for their organisational learning and development?

• Which changes are needed to strengthen the relevance and impact of the European
youth programmes?

Further Information

Research design and instruments

• Module 1: Case Studies

Case studies of beneficiary organisations, groups and networks of the European youth programmes to analyse and explore their learning and development stages and trajectories, and in particular their strategies and practices for organisational learning and development through European youth work and the European youth programmes. The case studies will be conducted at national level
by RAY Network partners in line with common guidelines, and will be complemented by a set
of case studies at transnational level of European networks of youth organisations.

• Module 2: Analysis of support offers

A mapping of learning and support offers and options specifically developed for the organisational learning
and development of beneficiaries in the European youth programmes.

• Module 3: Thematic questions for RAY monitoring surveys

We will continue to improve the RAY Monitoring surveys (RAY MON and RAY SOC) building on the insights from
RAY-LEARN. Covering key aspects of organisational learning and development processes and
needs from the perspective of youth workers and youth leaders in the monitoring surveys, will
allow the network to better understand organisational learning and development in the context of the EU
Youth Programmes.

• Module 4: Dissemination and networking event

A transnational event for dissemination of results and for networking of partners and beneficiaries involved. The event will took place 17-19 November 2025 in the European Youth Centre in Budapest. In this event, all RAY LEARN partners and some of the participant beneficiaries came together and reflected on their experiences during the project and on the project findings until that point. Our news post about the event can be found here.

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