Organizational Culture, Justice, Equality and Change in Youth Organizations : The success story of the non-governmental organization 'System and G'

Sammanfattning: The current study analyzes the official policies and everyday practices of the youth non-governmental organization System and G, located in Komotini, Greece. Through a combination of Critical Policy Analysis, Interviews and Participatory Observation, this Thesis provides a broad image of the organization’s internal culture, with great emphasis on the relations among its members. The results showed that the organization’s philosophy, causes and corresponding policies have emerged from its founders’ personal life experiences, which motivated them for social offer to people with fewer opportunities, developed through cooperation with other youth workers, equally motivated to help people in need, and changed with the contribution of volunteers – also people with fewer opportunities – with innovative ideas and ambition to bring social change. As a result, an intersectional culture has grown in the organization, which is characterized by diversity, emotional proximity, mutual support and solidarity.             The study also analyzes the organization’s social stratification and power relations, which are characterized by equality among all its members, making trainers and volunteers feel that their voice is heard and appreciated. Therefore, the organization succeeds in the achievement of all forms of organizational justice (procedural, distributive, interactional). What is more, important decision-making within the organization requires the equal participation of trainers and volunteers alike, while when it comes to decisions with an impact on local society, the organization gives its members the opportunity to express their opinion and design social policies through cooperation with local entrepreneurs, politicians and other decision-makers. In this way, organizational and social change are achieved and promoted. The future of the organization includes its members’ ambition to spread the methods and results of non-formal education to other regions and countries, and I consider myself lucky and honored to be part of this effort.