What is it?

Youth policy covers many different areas that shape young people’s well-being. Your leisure time, education, job, opportunities, rights, and responsibilities—all of these are part of youth policy. It’s also important to know that young people themselves help shape youth policy. So, if you want to, you can get involved, share your ideas, and help tackle the issues that matter to you and your peers.

Formulation and Implementation of Youth Policy at the Local Level

Municipalities are responsible for developing and putting youth policy into action in their area. To do this, they work with a Youth Affairs Coordinator — a person who connects local government officials, policymakers, and young people. The coordinator helps make sure youth policy is actually carried out, starts new initiatives, and, when needed, researches young people’s situations in the municipality.

The Municipal Youth Affairs Council

The Municipal Youth Affairs Council is an advisory group that helps the local council make decisions on issues important to young people. Its long-term goal is to make sure youth have a real say in matters that affect them. The Council brings together representatives from the municipal council, youth organizations, and the administration. Members speak up for young people’s needs, balance youth interests with those of the wider community, and look for the best ways to solve youth-related challenges.

Youth policy covers many areas — civic involvement, education (formal and non-formal), work and employment, housing, leisure and recreation, creativity and culture, social and health protection, well-being, and sport. Different committees of the municipal council, local administration departments, institutions, youth centers and spaces, cultural centers, museums, libraries, and others share responsibility for developing and carrying out youth policy.

The Municipal Youth Organizations Council — “Round Table”  is a non-governmental youth organization that brings together all youth organizations in the municipality and represents their interests. Round Tables send youth organization representatives to the Municipal Youth Affairs Council, speak up for young people’s needs in the municipality, and help shape and put local youth policy into practice.