6 Country Reports on Youth Work - Jugendpolitik in Europa

this age group. The modus is 15 participants per month. 15- to 19-year-olds account for 1150
participants a month, and about 59% of organisations have up to 20 participants in this age
group. For the 20- to 24-year-olds, 51.7% of the youth organisations have up to 10
participants. There are up to 873 young people of that age group participating in some
organisations. The lowest number of participants can be found in the age group of 25- to 30year-olds.
Here there are only up to 200 participants, with 60% of the organisations claiming
to have up to 10 participants a month in that age group.
Comments:
1. Differences between national and local level
The conducted survey in four communities showed once again that there is reluctance to
give out data or to contribute to research concerning youth work in Austria. Much like at
national level, it was not possible to obtain representative data on the topic at local level
either. The categories used in the local questionnaire are applicable for the Austrian
situation. Although they are commonly used in youth work and youth policy, they are not
clearly defined and have different meanings for those involved in youth work.
As at national level, the categories used at local level to identify providers and activities were
not selective enough.
2. Differences at local level
Regional differences and differences between youth work activities make it rather difficult to
paint a precise picture of the situation of youth work in Austria. Youth work in Vienna –
especially open youth work – can’t really be compared to what goes on in the other states of
Austria. The differences between Vienna and the rest of the country or between urban and
rural areas in general seem to be supported by the local survey, although the findings have
to be treated with reservations because they are not representative. The most striking
differences appear to be in the organisation of youth work. There are more youth
associations in the rural areas with more volunteers that have no specific training.
Generally speaking, there is an obvious lack of networking and exchange in youth work.
While searching for all the youth organisations in the respective communities, it was difficult
to get a complete list. Even if some kind of youth information is available, informants were
often unable to tell how much and which kind of youth work is provided in their communities.
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