FAQ: Call For Participation
Stand: 01.09.2026
About
1When and where will the 5th Federal Conference on Children's and Youth Work take place?
The 5th Federal Conference on Children's and Youth Work will take place from September 7 to 9, 2027, at the Linden Campus in Hanover.
2What is the Federal Conference about?
The Federal Conference is a forum for professional exchange, discussion, and networking among practitioners, government officials, policymakers, and academics. It highlights the diversity of children’s and youth work and provides a space to collaboratively advance current developments, address challenges, share research findings, and refine practical approaches.
3Who can send in a submission?
The Call For Participation is aimed at professionals from the field, academia, politics, government, associations, initiatives, and other areas of children’s and youth work. Submissions can be made by individuals, groups of people, or organizations.
4In which areas can submissions be made?
Submissions are possible in two areas:
• the conference program, featuring events in various formats,
• the market of opportunities, featuring information, discussion, and hands-on activities.
• the conference program, featuring events in various formats,
• the market of opportunities, featuring information, discussion, and hands-on activities.
5When is the deadline for submissions?
The submission period runs from September 1 through October 31, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
6How do I enter a submission?
Submissions must be submitted by the deadline using the conference management tool provided.
7In which languages can submissions be made?
Submissions can be made in German or English. Please note: The conference organization cannot provide translation services. The language of the submission and any necessary translations are the responsibility of the authors.
8Are European and international perspectives welcome?
Yes. The conference views the European discourse on youth work, as well as European and international dimensions, as a cross-cutting perspective applicable to all subject areas. For example, project collaborations, international case studies, approaches to action, and ideas from other countries are all welcome.
9Who can I contact if I have questions?
Conference Program: Dr. Julia von der Gathen-Huy, programm@bundeskongress-kja.de
Market of Opportunities: Mathilda Streuer, kongress@lag-okja.de
Market of Opportunities: Mathilda Streuer, kongress@lag-okja.de
Conference Program
1Which thematic areas are featured in the conference program?
To organize the Call For Participation thematically and as a foundation for the thematic structure of the conference program, seven thematic areas and the category “Other Topics” were identified (in alphabetical order):
• Democracy Education and Promotion: This thematic area explores dimensions of democracy education and promotion in children's and youth work.
• Digital Worlds This thematic area examines the technical possibilities as well as the ethical and moral boundaries of digitalization and AI in the field of children's and youth work.
• Professionals and Volunteers: This thematic area centers on the people who shape children's and youth work —(future) professionals as well as those who are involved on a voluntary or honorary basis.
• Non-formal and Informal Education: This thematic area explores the diverse connections between formal, non-formal, and informal education and learning processes in the lives of children's and youth work.
• Practice Between Innovation and Everyday Life: This thematic area examines the necessary flexibility and ongoing development of children's and youth work against the backdrop of the changing realities of life for children, adolescents, and young adults
• Diversity as a Resource: This thematic area examines theoretical, conceptual, and practical approaches to diversity, as well as its significance for pedagogical practice and program design. The focus is on the diverse participants in children's and youth work.
• Civic Engagement: This thematic area is dedicated to the importance of children's and youth work within a shared responsibility framework involving the state, local governments, and civil society as a space for encounter, participation, and engagement.
• Other Topics: This category provides a space for aspects, questions, issues, and perspectives that do not fit into any of the other seven thematic areas.
• Democracy Education and Promotion: This thematic area explores dimensions of democracy education and promotion in children's and youth work.
• Digital Worlds This thematic area examines the technical possibilities as well as the ethical and moral boundaries of digitalization and AI in the field of children's and youth work.
• Professionals and Volunteers: This thematic area centers on the people who shape children's and youth work —(future) professionals as well as those who are involved on a voluntary or honorary basis.
• Non-formal and Informal Education: This thematic area explores the diverse connections between formal, non-formal, and informal education and learning processes in the lives of children's and youth work.
• Practice Between Innovation and Everyday Life: This thematic area examines the necessary flexibility and ongoing development of children's and youth work against the backdrop of the changing realities of life for children, adolescents, and young adults
• Diversity as a Resource: This thematic area examines theoretical, conceptual, and practical approaches to diversity, as well as its significance for pedagogical practice and program design. The focus is on the diverse participants in children's and youth work.
• Civic Engagement: This thematic area is dedicated to the importance of children's and youth work within a shared responsibility framework involving the state, local governments, and civil society as a space for encounter, participation, and engagement.
• Other Topics: This category provides a space for aspects, questions, issues, and perspectives that do not fit into any of the other seven thematic areas.
2Can my submission touch on multiple thematic areas?
Yes. The thematic areas are intentionally broad. Choose the focus that best describes the core of your submission, and be sure to clarify any additional connections in your brief description.
3What formats exist within the conference program?
There are four formats:
• Expert Forum(90 minutes): Up to three related presentations will be moderated and brought together for discussion with the audience.
• Workshop (90 minutes): An interactive format that encourages active participation from attendees.
• Short Presentation (20 minutes): A compact presentation on the open-air “flash stage” (Blitzlichtbühne).
• Open Space (60 minutes): A space for creative, dialogic, performative, or experimental approaches.
• Expert Forum(90 minutes): Up to three related presentations will be moderated and brought together for discussion with the audience.
• Workshop (90 minutes): An interactive format that encourages active participation from attendees.
• Short Presentation (20 minutes): A compact presentation on the open-air “flash stage” (Blitzlichtbühne).
• Open Space (60 minutes): A space for creative, dialogic, performative, or experimental approaches.
4What information is published in the conference program?
The names and details regarding the moderators and speakers will be listed in the conference programme. The contact person is designated solely for communication purposes during the programme planning process and will not be published.
5As a speaker, how many presentations can I participate in?
As a speaker, a person may contribute to a maximum of three presentations that are included in the conference program through the Call For Participation. Presentations resulting from separate requests—such as for specialized forums—do not count toward this limit.
6Do speakers need to register for the conference?
Yes. Starting in January 2027, all speakers must register as participants for the Federal Conference.
7When will I receive feedback on my submission?
Notifications regarding the acceptance or rejection of submissions for the conference program are expected to be sent out in April 2027.
8Are submissions grouped together?
As a general rule, similar submissions shall not be grouped together at the 5th Federal Conference. In exceptional cases, the conference team will contact you.
Market of Opportunities
1What formats exist within the market of opportunities”?
There are five formats:
• Hands-On Activity: Contents and methods are actively explored and experienced firsthand.
• Information Booth: Organizations, initiatives, and institutions introduce themselves and engage in conversation.
• Discussion Space: An easily accessible space for dialogue, networking, and professional exchange.
• Exhibition: Projects, research, topics, and creative works are presented in a way that allows visitors to explore them on their own.
• Mobile Youth Workt: Mobile, outreach-based, and flexible work approaches are presented in a clear and accessible manner.
• Hands-On Activity: Contents and methods are actively explored and experienced firsthand.
• Information Booth: Organizations, initiatives, and institutions introduce themselves and engage in conversation.
• Discussion Space: An easily accessible space for dialogue, networking, and professional exchange.
• Exhibition: Projects, research, topics, and creative works are presented in a way that allows visitors to explore them on their own.
• Mobile Youth Workt: Mobile, outreach-based, and flexible work approaches are presented in a clear and accessible manner.
2Do exhibitors need to register for the conference?
Yes. Starting in January 2027, all exhibitors must register as participants for the Federal Conference.
3When will I receive feedback on my submission?
Acceptance or rejection of submissions for the market of opportunities is expected to be notified in February 2027.