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Youth information and counselling

Youth information and counselling is preventive youth work based on Youth Act. Its objective is to provide professional and generalist information, guidance and counselling concerning information needs and different situations in young people’s lives.

Youth information and counselling supports young people’s growth, independence and well-being. Services are provided by municipalities and youth organisations. Services are targeted at young people, but also at guardians and those who are working with young people professionally or voluntarily. 

The European youth information and counselling field is united by principles defined by the European umbrella organization ERYICA and accepted by its member organizations. European Youth Information Charter adopted in 27th of April 2018 in Cascais, Portugal. The Charter includes independence, accessibility, coverage, needsbased, empowerment, inclusion, ethics, professionalism and anticipation. Also the youth information and counselling in Finland follows the Charter.

The objective of youth information and counselling is to support young people's wellbeing and independence. Reliable and comprehensive information provided by trained workers enables young people to make good choices and decisions for their future. 

Youth information and counselling provides personal guidance, counselling and support to young people through face-to-face services or digital services and other environments. Information is provided for young people through various channels and methods, such as peer-to-peer groups and social media. 

Source: Malm, K. 2019. Professionals in Managing Flows of  Information: Youth  Information and Counselling in the 2020s.

Read the article published by ERYICA in autumn 2023 about how important information is for young people's growth and decision-making! Jaana Fedotoff, Development Manager of Koordinaatti, has been interviewed for the article. Read the article here