Breaking Barriers: Non-Formal Education and Digital Youth Work for a Fair Future

In today's educational landscape, organizations significantly influence social inequities by both reinforcing existing disparities and working to address them. This contribution examines how non-formal education and digital youth work can challenge these inequities, particularly for marginalized groups, including individuals with disabilities, people of color, and those outside the cis-male gender binary.

Non-formal education, when integrated with digital technologies, can serve as a powerful mechanism for fostering social inclusion and addressing disparities in access to resources and opportunities. Digital tools enable youth workers to create inclusive learning environments that promote collaboration, communication, and resource accessibility for all young people. Initiatives such as online learning platforms, digital storytelling workshops, and virtual mentorship programs not only enhance critical skills and digital literacy but also reflect the principles of inclusion and social equity.

However, it is essential to recognize how organizational practices within educational settings can affect the experiences of those in disadvantaged categories. Exclusionary practices in schools, universities, and other educational organizations often lead to differentiated educational outcomes, impacting access to knowledge and resources. This contribution explores the nature of these exclusionary mechanisms and their effects on young people's social and educational experiences.

By analyzing the intersection of digital youth work and non-formal education, this contribution highlights the transformative potential of these approaches when rooted in a commitment to social equity. Digital youth work can serve as a space for cultivating relationships, solidarity, and democratic participation, thereby reinforcing civic values and a commitment to a more inclusive society.

This exploration seeks to identify the stakeholders impacted by exclusionary practices in educational organizations and assess the implications of these dynamics for understanding the production of inequity. By uncovering the barriers faced by marginalized youth and proposing solutions, we aim to contribute to the development of educational contexts that prioritize social inclusion and collective well-being.