In this time of profound and ongoing changes, the next generation of social workers are vital and will need solidarity, resilience and creativity.
In this blog – one of five in the week of World Social Work Day 2026 from IFSW Europe – members of the network issue a call to action:
- For new and young social workers and students to join the network and connect with the European and global community of social workers through IFSW
- For social work organisations to encourage and enable new social workers to get involved to enrich individuals and organisations alike!
If you are a new social worker and would like to join, or want to encourage others to join, simply email
Blog
Across Europe, social workers are meeting a moment of profound change. From shifting political landscapes to the pressing realities of social inequality, human rights, and environmental uncertainty, our profession continues to stand rooted in solidarity, justice, and hope. In this context, IFSW Europe is delighted to introduce more colleagues to a vital and energising development: the New Social Workers Network, This is a space created with new social workers, for new social workers and students, and shaped by the collective belief that the sustainability of our profession begins with investing in those entering it today.
The Network emerged from the last 6 years of new social workers embedding themselves in the work of IFSW Europe, stemming from the project titled ‘A Social Europe is possible! The new generation of Social Workers are the spearhead of change’. The commitment to this work is found in the shared recognition voiced by delegates in Lisbon’s Delegates Meeting where the Network was formally founded, and then in Oslo’s Delegates Meeting where the action plan and budget was agreed.
Early-career practitioners, students and those in their first five years of practice, bring essential perspectives, creativity, and lived experience to the Federation. Their voices strengthen our regional work, but too often, opportunities for involvement were uneven or difficult to access. Establishing the Network is therefore both a commitment and an invitation: a commitment to cultivating leadership and participation among new social workers, and an invitation for them to join a community that is ready to welcome and support them.
From the outset, the New Social Workers Network has been grounded in the values of IFSW: dignity, equality, diversity, human rights, and collaboration. Its purpose is simple yet powerful, to create a supportive, Europe-wide community where new social workers can connect, share ideas, learn from one another, and take part in shaping the Federation’s future. The Network will be a place where early-career practitioners can develop leadership skills, participate in events and working groups, initiate projects, and contribute to regional and global discussions. It will also ensure that new voices are present at Delegates Meetings to create the foundation for intergenerational working and woven into the ongoing governance and development of IFSW Europe to ensure the sustainability of our profession.
Already, members have begun building the foundations: setting up communication channels, planning events, and working on a co-produced policy paper that will explore what a sustainable way of working truly means for IFSW Europe. This work is enriched by intergenerational collaboration, with experienced colleagues offering support, mentorship, and guidance, ensuring the Network becomes a space of continuity and shared learning rather than separation. The Network’s activities will continue to expand over the coming years, and we want you to be part of this.
What matters most now is reaching the people this Network is built for. We want new social workers, students, recent graduates, and early-career practitioners in their first 5 years of employment from across Europe, to know that this space exists for them. Whether you are looking to meet peers, engage in international work, contribute to policy, or simply feel more connected to the wider profession, the Network is a place where your presence makes a difference. Every new member strengthens our collective capacity.
And to experienced social workers, educators, supervisors, and national associations: your support is crucial. Please help us share the recruitment poster, circulate this invitation, and encourage the new social workers around you to take part. Throughout IFSW’s history, progress has been driven by the willingness of each generation to lift up the next. By helping new colleagues join the Network, you are contributing to a vibrant, sustainable future for our profession.
If you are a new social worker and would like to join, simply email
The door is open, the community is growing, and your voice is needed.
As we move forward, the New Social Workers Network stands as a reminder of what our profession represents at its core: people coming together to create change, to uplift one another, and to build a more just and equitable society. We look forward to welcoming many new colleagues into this shared journey, across countries, across contexts, and across generations.
Together, we strengthen the future of social work in Europe.
To contact IFSW Europe main email: