The overall purpose of this research was to contribute to the Croatian research area in the field of youth work and youth workers. Furthermore, to analyze the different aspects of youth workers' experience and their daily work to contribute to a better understanding of the current situation, challenges and perspectives of work related to youth work in national context. The concept of voditelj rada s mladima translates into the English speaking area as a youth worker, and in the Croatian context there is no standardized term. For the purpose of this paper, the term voditelj rada s mladima was used because it has been used for a while in relevant documents such as the National Youth Program 2009-2013. Youth worker can be defined as a person working with or on behalf of young people to facilitate their personal, social and educational development and enabling them voice, influence and place in society during their transition from dependence to independence. Croatia is obliged to define youth workers as a profession in accordance with the European Qualifications Framework and to develop a standard of occupation and qualifications. Research and analysis of the national context clearly shows that youth work is happening and there is a large number of youth workers, although the profession is still unknown and unexplored. This research is based on a qualitative research paradigm, and the fundamental research question is What are the experiences of people working with youth in civil society organizations in Rijeka about the current state of affairs, challenges and perspectives of youth workers in the national context? Analysis of collected data showed that youth workers are most often confronted with problems of financial instability and unprecedented occupation. There is a consensus on the fact that youthwork is a complex job and that most people outside participants' professional environment do not even understand and do not know what youth work is. Attitudes and perceptions of people in their environment are neither negative nor positive as people simply do not have the knowledge of what work is with youth and what the head of the work with the youth works. Situation in the city of Rijeka is described as lack of systematic work with young people and financial support only appears to the extent permitted by the projects and almost no importance is given to youth work. The stakeholders may be aware that it is important, but it does not matter, and there is also lack of support. Responses can be categorized as Professionalization is needed and there are Certain dangers and limitations of professionalization. On the one hand, they believe that professionalism will raise the quality of programs in youth work, increase visibility and recognize youth work, develop a funding system while on the other hand are closure of the frames and the loss of creativity and freedom that youth workers currently have.