The overall purpose of this research is to describe and understand the experiences of pedagogues employed in organizations that work with youth in the city of Rijeka. By analyzing their experiences, the research seeks to contribute to a better understanding of the current state of youth work in Croatia and a deeper comprehension of the challenges they face in their work. In literature, pedagogues are most often mentioned in the context of the formal education system, with the most data available on school pedagogues. The work of pedagogues outside the formal education system has been neglected in professional literature and research, so this study aims to provide insight into their experiences working in organizations that focus on youth, particularly in the context of organizations in the city of Rijeka. Youth work in Croatia remains outside the scope of professional and academic discourse and the field of youth work is not defined as a profession. The lack of a clear definition of youth work is one of the many obstacles faced by those who work with youth in their daily activities. Research on youth and youth work in Croatia highlights numerous issues encountered by organizations and individuals involved in this field. This research focuses on pedagogues employed in organizations that work with youth, with the central research question being: What do the experiences of pedagogues employed in organizations that work with youth reveal about their professional role in a non-formal environment? The analysis of the collected data revealed that pedagogues employed in organizations that work with youth are intrinsically motivated to work with children and youth in non-formal settings, with long-term volunteering also playing a role in their career choice. The competencies needed for working with youth are acquired by pedagogues through university education, volunteering, and further professional development to keep up with the youth and their needs. Proper professionalization of youth work would positively impact the quality of youth work, improve the status of those working with youth, and popularize youth work within the broader community.