COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT Results of the first cycle of the Open Method of Coordination in the youth field (2010-2012) Accompanying the document COMMISSION COMMUNICATION Draft 2012 Joint Report of the Council and the Commission on the implementation of the renewed framework for European cooperation in the youth field (EU Youth Strategy 2010-2018)
Date: 2012-09-10
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: cultural promotion, education, fight against unemployment, public health, social integration, social participation, voluntary work, young person, youth employment, youth unemployment

EUROPEAN COMMISSION 

Brussels, 10.9.2012  
SWD(2012) 256 final 

EU Youth Report 

COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT 

Results of the first cycle of the Open Method of Coordination  
in the youth field (2010-2012) 

Accompanying the document 

COMMISSION COMMUNICATION 

Draft 2012 Joint Report of the Council and the Commission on the implementation of 
the renewed framework for European cooperation in the youth field  
(EU Youth Strategy 2010-2018) 

{COM(2012) 495 final} 
{SWD(2012) 257 final} 

EN 

   EN 

 
 
 
  
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS  

Executive Summary ................................................................................................................... 4 

1. 

2. 

2.1. 

2.2. 

2.3. 

3. 

3.1. 

3.2. 

3.3. 

4. 

4.1. 

4.2. 

4.3. 

5. 

5.1. 

5.2. 

5.3. 

6. 

6.1. 

6.2. 

6.3. 

7. 

7.1. 

7.2. 

7.3. 

8. 

8.1. 

8.2. 

Introduction .................................................................................................................. 8 

General Overview of Youth Policy.............................................................................. 8 

Youth policy: a policy based on evidence.................................................................... 8 

Legal framework and national youth policy environment ........................................... 9 

Implementation of the first cycle of the EU Youth Strategy ..................................... 15 

Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship................................................................. 20 

Commission initiatives and action ............................................................................. 20 

Summary of initiatives and action at national level ................................................... 22 

Youth-led initiatives and action ................................................................................. 28 

Education and Training.............................................................................................. 31 

Commission initiatives and action ............................................................................. 31 

Summary of initiatives and action at national level ................................................... 33 

Youth-led initiatives and action ................................................................................. 37 

Social Inclusion.......................................................................................................... 39 

Commission initiatives and action ............................................................................. 39 

Summary of initiatives and action at national level ................................................... 41 

Youth-led initiatives and action ................................................................................. 46 

Health and Well-being ............................................................................................... 49 

Commission initiatives and action ............................................................................. 49 

Summary of initiatives and action at national level ................................................... 50 

Youth-led initiatives and action ................................................................................. 53 

Youth Participation .................................................................................................... 55 

Commission initiatives and action ............................................................................. 55 

Summary of initiatives and action at national level ................................................... 57 

Youth-led initiatives and action ................................................................................. 62 

Voluntary Activities ................................................................................................... 65 

Commission initiatives and action ............................................................................. 65 

Summary of initiatives and action at national level ................................................... 66 

2 

 
 
 
 
8.3. 

Youth-led initiatives and action ................................................................................. 70 

9. 

9.1. 

9.2. 

9.3. 

10. 

Culture and Creativity................................................................................................ 73 

Commission initiatives and action ............................................................................. 73 

Summary of initiatives and action at national level ................................................... 74 

Youth-led initiatives and action ................................................................................. 77 

Youth and the World.................................................................................................. 79 

10.1.  Commission initiatives and action ............................................................................. 79 

10.2. 

Summary of initiatives and action at national level ................................................... 81 

10.3.  Youth-led initiatives and action ................................................................................. 85 

11. 

Structured Dialogue with Young People and Youth organisations ........................... 87 

11.1.  Commission initiatives and action ............................................................................. 87 

11.2. 

Summary of initiatives and action at national level ................................................... 89 

11.3.  Youth-led initiatives and action ................................................................................. 95 

12. 

Annex ......................................................................................................................... 99 

12.1. 

Table of abbreviations................................................................................................ 99 

12.2.  Council Resolutions/Conclusions on youth (2010-2012) ........................................ 101 

3 

 
 
 
 
 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

Background 

The EU Youth Strategy 

In 2009, the Council endorsed the renewed framework for European cooperation in the youth 
field (2010-2018), known in short as the EU Youth Strategy1. Its objectives are to: 

(i) 

create  more  and  equal  opportunities  for  all  young  people  in  education  and  in  the 
labour market, and  

(ii) 

promote the active citizenship, social inclusion and solidarity of all young people.  

The EU Youth Strategy advocates a cross-cutting approach, branching out into eight different 
policy  areas  (‘fields  of  action’),  which  are  the  following:  Education  and  Training, 
Employment  and  Entrepreneurship,  Social  Inclusion,  Health  and  Well-being,  Participation, 
Culture and Creativity, Volunteering, and Youth and the World. 

The  EU  Youth  Strategy  and  its  implementation  are  based  on  the  Open  Method  of 
Coordination, addressing both the Commission and Member States to take specific actions in 
the  above-mentioned  ‘fields  of  action’.  To  this  end,  it  proposes  a  set  of  instruments  which 
learning;  regular  progress-reporting; 
include:  evidence-based  policy-making;  mutual 
dissemination  of  results  and  monitoring;  Structured  Dialogue  with  young  people  and  youth 
organisations; and mobilisation of EU programmes and funds. 

The EU Youth Strategy invited the Commission and Member States to implement the strategy 
by fostering cooperation that cuts across all of the various policy fields concerned. Such an 
approach  should  be  pursued  at  all  levels,  and  policies  can  be  improved  by  sharing  good 
practices.  Youth  work  should  be  supported,  developed  and  recognised  for  its  economic  and 
social contribution. 

EU Youth Report: reporting on progress and looking ahead 

The  period  covered  by  the  EU  Youth  Strategy  is  divided  into  three-year  cycles,  with  the 
requirement to produce an EU Youth Report at the end of each cycle, the first of which will 
be drawn up in 2012 and ‘consist of […]a joint Council-Commission report (political part), 
and supporting documents (statistical and analytical part). The EU Youth report will evaluate 
progress made towards the overall objectives of the framework, as well as progress regarding 
the priorities defined for the most recent work cycle and identify good practices. […] The EU 
Youth Report should also serve as a basis for establishing a set of priorities for the following 
work cycle.’ 

This Staff Working Document supports the Commission Communication which presents the 
draft joint report on the EU Youth Report to the Council. Summarising the results of the first 
cycle (2010-2012), it presents the actions taken at EU-level and in Member States, as well as 
initiatives taken by young people themselves. Separate chapters report on achievements in all 
eight ‘fields of action’ of the strategy, the general organisation and approach to youth policy, 

1 

Council  Resolution  of  27  November  2009  on  a  renewed  framework  for  European  cooperation  in  the 
youth field (2010-2018) (2009/C 311/01), OJ C 311, 19.12.2009, pp. 1-11. 

4 

 
 
 
 
                                                 
and the Structured Dialogue between young people and policy-makers. The references made 
to Member States' activities are based on National Youth Reports submitted by them2. Young 
people  are  represented  in  the  report  by  the  European  Youth  Forum,  which  is  an  umbrella 
organisation  of  approximately  40  National  Youth  Councils  and  more  than  60  international 
non-governmental youth organisations in Europe. 

A  second  Staff  Working  Document  supporting  the  Commission  Communication  on  the  EU 
Youth  Report  2012  provides  a  comprehensive  picture  of  the  situation  of  young  people  in 
Europe  based  on  the  latest  available  data,  statistics  and  research.  It  portrays  trends  and 
developments in young people's conditions in different areas, corresponding to the ‘fields of 
action’.  It  builds  on  the  dashboard  of  EU  youth  indicators,  which  is  an  overview  of  41 
indicators that measure the most crucial aspects of the lives of young people in Europe3. 

Results of the first cycle of the Open Method of Coordination in the youth field  

(2010-2012) 

Actions at EU level 

The Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth puts young people high 
on its agenda and embraces a number of concrete initiatives to support them in getting jobs 
and dealing with related challenges during this crisis. Young people are the target group of the 
flagship  initiative  ‘Youth  on  the  Move’,  which  promotes  mobility  as  a  means  of  learning. 
They  are  also  impacted  by  two  other  flagship  initiatives,  ‘An  Agenda  for  New  Skills  and 
Jobs’, which aims to improve employability and employment opportunities for young people, 
and ‘A Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion’, the aim of which is to combat poverty 
and exclusion from an early age. 

In response to the unacceptably high youth unemployment rates, the Commission proposed a 
comprehensive set of measures under the ‘Youth Opportunities Initiative’ and urged Member 
States  to  make  better  use  of  the  European  Social  Fund  (ESF).  It  also  proposed  tailor-made 
national approaches to youth unemployment through its Country Specific Recommendations 
under  the  European  Semester  and  through  dedicated  action  teams  set  up  to  assist  those 
Member States with above average unemployment rates. 

To better prepare young people for the labour market, including in the medium term, and in 
line  with  the  Europe  2020  benchmarks  on  tertiary  education  and  early  school  leaving,  the 
Commission intensified its efforts to ensure that young people acquire the relevant skills for 
the labour market and to improve education and training. The main initiative in this field is 
the  strategic  framework  for  European  cooperation  in  Education  and  Training,  which  was 
adopted  in  2009  for  the  period  up  to  2020  (ET  2020).  In  this  context,  the  Commission 
presented a strategy for the modernisation of Europe's higher education systems in 2011. 

The Youth in Action and the Lifelong Learning programmes support learning mobility in both 
formal  and  non-formal  education.  Projects  supported  in  2011  under  the  Lifelong  Learning 
programme involved more than 530 000 participants, while Youth in Action projects involved 
more than 180 000 young people. 

2 

3  

Separate  contributions  were  submitted  by  the  three  language  communities  of  Belgium.  All  EU 
candidate  countries  and  EFTA-countries,  which  are  programme  countries  under  the  Commission's 
Youth in Action programme, were invited to submit National Youth Reports. 

SEC(2011) 401. This document presents 40 indicators. One additional indicator has since been added, 
bringing the total number of EU Youth Indicators to 41. 

5 

 
 
 
 
                                                 
The  Commission  is  also  endeavouring  to  lift  obstacles  EU  citizens,  including  the  young, 
encounter when using their EU rights, notably their right to free movement within the EU be 
it for leisure, volunteering, study or work4. 

The EU Youth Strategy contributed to these efforts by making youth employment the overall 
thematic  priority  during  the  first  Trio  Presidency.  This  resulted  in  recommendations  and 
proposals  for  action  through  Council  resolutions  addressing  the  social  inclusion  of  young 
people,  and  the  role  of  youth  work  in  employability  and  accessing  jobs.  During  the  same 
period,  the  Structured  Dialogue  between  young  people  and  policy-makers  focused  on  youth 
employment.  The  resulting  recommendations  culminated  in  a  Council  resolution  and  were 
used to develop policy measures within the Commission. 

The Trio Presidency of Poland, Denmark and Cyprus chose ‘youth participation in democratic 
life’ as the overall thematic priority between mid-2011 and end 2012. Youth participation is 
important  not  only  to  increase  citizenship,  social  inclusion  and  solidarity  among  young 
people;  it  also  helps  young  people  to  acquire  valuable  cross-cutting  skills  that  add  to  their 
employability. This work led to Council conclusions and resolutions that emphasised the need 
for  an  inclusive  approach  to  participation  and  to  broaden  the  range  of  tools  for  youth 
participation.  It  addressed  interaction  with  young  people  from  EU  neighbouring  countries, 
especially in Eastern Europe, and ensured better outreach to include young people with fewer 
opportunities. It also looked at the creative potential of young people themselves in terms of 
developing opportunities for youth participation. 

Actions in Member States 

All Member States submitted reports on how the EU Youth Strategy has been implemented at 
a national level during the period 2010-2012. These reports were drawn up in response to a 
comprehensive  questionnaire  covering  all  aspects  of  the  EU  Youth  Strategy5.  Norway, 
Switzerland, Montenegro, and Croatia submitted such reports voluntarily. The National Youth 
Reports can be downloaded from the Commission's website. 

This  report  presents  a  summary  of  actions  taken,  including  tables  indicating  the  aggregate 
responses  of  all  National  Youth  Reports  to  the  various  questions.  It  analyses  trends  in  the 
‘fields  of  action’  and  provides  an  overview  of  national  policies,  the  use  of  funds  in  each 
country,  as  well  as  specific  projects  and  initiatives.  As  mutual  learning  is  key  to  the 
implementation of the European Youth Strategy, examples of good practice from the Member 
States are highlighted throughout the report. 

A majority of Member States have legislation specifically pertaining to young people, some 
of  which  has  only  relatively  recently  come  into  effect.  The  same  applies  to  National  Youth 
Strategies.  Structures  for  cooperation  across  ministries  or  with  researchers  reflect  the  cross-
sectoral approach of the EU Youth Strategy at national level. Member States indicate that the 
EU Youth Strategy has been generally well received, and have taken measures after it came 
into  force  in  all  eight  ‘fields  of  action’.  The  most  dynamic  policy  field  seems  to  be 
Participation,  in  which  18  Member  States  have  taken  action  since  the  EU  Youth  Strategy 
came into force in 2010, whereas Culture and Creativity had the fewest initiatives.  

4  
5  

COM(2010) 603. 

The  National  Youth  Reports  cover  the  period  from  beginning  of  2010  until  end  2011  and  provide  a 
preview of intended activities for 2012. 

6 

 
 
 
 
                                                 
Many measures relating to the ‘fields of action’ had been taken before the EU Youth Strategy 
came into force, which shows that the strategy ties in well with Member States' priorities. For 
example,  22  Member  States  responded  that  they  had  already  taken  measures  to  promote 
learning mobility of all young people before the EU Youth Strategy came into effect in 2010. 
This  was  also  the  case  in  the  areas  of  combating  homelessness  and  financial  exclusion; 
support  of  youth  organisations  and  recognition  of  their  important  role  in  promoting 
participation from an early age. 

The  Structured  Dialogue  between  young  people  and  policy-makers  has  been  successfully 
established.  National  Working  Groups  have  been  set  up  and  Member  States  are  ready  to 
enhance the transparency and visibility of the process and monitor its follow-up. 

Actions by young people 

The European Youth Forum (YFJ) also contributed to this report by describing its activities 
and  appreciation  of  measures  in  all  eight  ‘fields  of  action’.  The  YFJ  is  a  key  player  in  the 
Structured Dialogue, with its President acting as chair of the European Steering Committee.  

YFJ  has  been  very  active  in  the  field  of  Employment  and  Entrepreneurship,  including  the 
submission  of  various  position  papers  that  have  fed  into  the  Commission’s  policy 
preparations.  As  youth  organisations  are  an  important  provider  of  non-formal  learning,  the 
YFJ has also been active in promoting better recognition and quality of non-formal education.  

A wide range of activities were carried out in preparation for and during the 2011 European 
Year  of  Voluntary  Activities  Promoting  Active  Citizenship,  during  which  YFJ  organised  a 
large volunteering convention in Brussels. 

7 

 
 
 
 
 
1. 

INTRODUCTION 

This part of the EU Youth Report assesses the implementation of the EU Youth Strategy at 
national and EU level during its first three-year work cycle. Separate chapters cover all eight 
‘fields of action’ of the Strategy. 

Each chapter consists of three sections. The first provides an overview of initiatives taken at 
EU  level  during  2010-2012.  The  second  includes  a  summary  and  a  brief  assessment  of  the 
initiatives and action taken at national level. This section is based on National Youth Reports 
submitted  by  all  Member  States6  and  Norway,  Switzerland,  Montenegro  and  Croatia.  These 
reports were drawn up in response to a comprehensive questionnaire covering all aspects of 
the  EU  Youth  Strategy7.  The  third  section  presents  measures  taken  by  young  people 
themselves,  represented  by  the  European  Youth  Forum  –  a  body  which  represents  some  90 
National Youth Councils and international non-governmental youth organisations in Europe.  

National Youth Reports can be downloaded from the Commission's website. 

2. 

 GENERAL OVERVIEW OF YOUTH POLICY 

2.1. 

Youth policy: a policy based on evidence  

This EU Youth Report has been drawn up thanks to a framework for reporting and monitoring 
of  youth  data,  research  and  policy  activities.  This  framework  is  anchored  in  the  EU  Youth 
Strategy, which stresses the importance of evidence as a basis for policy. 

EU Youth Policy is measured through a dashboard of EU youth indicators, which was drawn 
up in 2011 on the basis of a mandate from the EU Youth Strategy. An expert group fed into 
this dashboard8, which presents 40 indicators in all eight ‘fields of action’ of the EU Youth 
Strategy. Eurostat set up a sub-section on youth on its website, displaying latest available data 
for  the  indicators.  The  expert  group  on  EU  youth  indicators  meets  annually  to  review  the 
dashboard.  The  Commission  also  released  a  study9  showing  how  Member  States  work  with 
youth indicators. 

The Commission furthermore conducted a Flash Eurobarometer-survey on youth (Fl319a and 
Fl319b)  in  early  2011.  The  data  collected  further  contributed  to  the  dashboard  of  EU  youth 
indicators and a Commission benchmark on mobility. 

This  evidence-base  was  further  enriched  by  findings  from  a  cluster  of  five  youth-oriented 
socio-economic  research  projects  supported  under  the  7th  EU  Research  Framework 
Programme, focusing on marginalised groups of young people and their inclusion in society 

6 

7 

8 
9 

Separate  contributions  were  submitted  by  the  three  language  communities  of  Belgium.  All  EU 
candidate  countries  and  EFTA-countries,  which  are  programme  countries  under  the  Commission's 
Youth in Action programme, were invited to submit National Youth Reports. 

The  National  Youth  Reports  cover  the  period  from  beginning  of  2010  until  end  2011  and  provide  a 
preview of intended activities for 2012 as Member States reports had to be returned early 2012. 

SEC(2011) 401. 

ECORYS, 2011. Assessing practices for using indicators in fields related to youth – Final Report for 
the European Commission, DG Education and Culture. Available here 

8 

 
 
 
 
                                                 
(young homeless people; young people from a public care background; ethnic minority youth 
including Roma and young unemployed). 

The results and recommendations of these projects are summarised in the forthcoming policy 
review10  Social  Inclusion  of  Youth  on  the  Margins  of  Society:  More  Opportunies,  Better 
Access and Higher Solidarity and were discussed at a European Conference by European and 
national  policy-makers,  youth  researchers  and  practitioners  in  the  youth  field  (November 
2011). 

The  Commission  is  supported  in  its  evidence-based  approach  to  youth  policy  by  its 
partnership  with  the  Council  of  Europe  (CoE)  in  the  youth  field.  The  EU-CoE  Youth 
Partnership  manages  the  Pool  of  European  Youth  Researchers  (PEYR)  and  the  European 
Knowledge  Centre  on  Youth  Policy  (EKCYP).  It  also  has  a  comprehensive  online  database 
with knowledge on the situation of young people in Europe. 

The Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) also provides support 
in monitoring data and statistics in the youth field. 

2.2. 

Legal framework and national youth policy environment 

This chapter provides a general overview of how the Member States and participating non-EU 
countries – 31 in all – structure their youth policy in terms of legislation, policy strategies and 
inter-ministerial cooperation. It also presents how these countries perceive the impact of the 
EU  Youth  Strategy  at  the  national  and  local  levels  as  well  as  other  linkages  between  youth 
policy at national and EU level. 

2.2.1.  Youth laws or national legislation on youth 

Responses in National Youth Reports11 

Does your country have a 'youth law' or legislation that specifically refers to youth 
issues,  or  laws  containing  a  section  addressing  the  needs  and/or  rights  of  young 
people? 

Total  Belgium 

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

Yes 

No 

▼ 

◊ 

27 

6 

3 

3 

1 

21  

5  

Although  most  Member  States  report  to  have  legislation  that  specifically  refers  to  youth 
issues, or laws containing a section addressing the needs and/or rights of young people, the 
responses  do  not  easily  lend  themselves  to  analysis.  For  instance,  some  countries  which 
answer in the affirmative to the question whether they have specific legislation on youth make 
reference  to  legislation  on  children.  Most  countries  operate  with  an  overlap  in  age  between 
children  and  young  people  (children  defined  up  to  the  age  of  18  and  young  people  usually 
from the age of 15), and in some countries the division between children and youth is vague. 
It should be noted that several of the countries reporting that they do not have a ‘youth law’ or 
specific legislation on young people, may have specific legislation on children, defined up to 
the age of 18 

10  

11  

Kutsar,  D.  and  Helve,  H.,  2012.  ‘Social  Inclusion  of  Youth  on  the  Margins  of  Society:  More 
Opportunities,  Better  Access,  and  Higher  Solidarity’  Policy  review  of  the  Youth  Research  Cluster  on 
Social Inclusion (forthcoming). The policy review will be made available here.  

Belgium appears in a separate column because there are different contributions from the three language 
communities of Belgium. 

9 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
                                                 
Many Member States refer to specific youth laws (see Table 2-A). In countries with a federal 
structure,  the  regions  are  autonomous  on  youth  issues:  In  Belgium,  the  three  Communities 
have  separate  youth  legislation,  and  legislation  on  youth  is  in  place  in  all  17  Autonomous 
Communities  of  Spain.  In  Austria  and  Germany,  national  legislation  is  supplemented  by 
legislative acts  at Federal State level. In Italy legislation in this  area only exists at regional 
level. 

Whereas  most  Member  States  have  legislation  on  young  people,  such  legislation  is  in  most 
cases recent, which suggests that youth legislation is an area still under development. 

Table 2-A: Overview of youth laws or national legislation on youth 

(Web-links included where provided) 

EU MEMBER STATES 

BELGIUM: 

BULGARIA: 

Laws and legislative acts pertaining to young people's rights and well-being exist  
in all Communities (Flemish, French and German-speaking). 

The Family Code (2009, amended 2010) settles relationships between parents and children. 
Other legislative acts cover various issues relating to youth, among them employment, health, 
physical education and sport.  

CZECH REPUBLIC: 

A number of laws address young people's rights, welfare and care services, social protection, 
education, etc.  

DENMARK: 

There is no specific youth law or youth legislation. 

GERMANY: 

ESTONIA: 

IRELAND: 

GREECE: 

SPAIN: 

FRANCE: 

ITALY:   

CYPRUS: 

LATVIA: 

Legislation on child and youth (adopted 1990) available online at 
http://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb_8/ (in German). 

The Youth Work Act was adopted in 1999; the renewed law came into force in 2010. 

The Youth Work Act was adopted in 2001: 
http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/pdf/2001/en.act.2001.0042.pdf (in English). 

A number of laws concern young people's rights to education and 
information, health and social protection, youth participation in elections, entrepreneurship and 
employment, etc. 

At regional level, there exists specific legislation on youth, such as training, employment,  
health, housing, education, environment, culture, sports, tourism and recreation, associations, 
voluntary work, etc.  

There is no specific youth law. However, legislation which covers young people exists in  
various areas, such as education, employment, social affairs, health, justice, professional 
training, etc. 

No national youth law, but some legislation exists at regional level.  

The main legislation concerning youth is the Youth Board Law of 1994 (available in English). 
Additionally, there are other laws addressing the needs/rights of young people.  

The Youth Law is from 2009 and was amended in 2011: 
http://www.likumi.lv/doc.php?id=175920 (only Latvian). 

LITHUANIA: 

The Law on a Youth Policy Framework (2003) outlines the main concepts of youth policy, 
defines youth policy areas and establishes principles of the implementation of youth policy. 

LUXEMBOURG:   

There is a Youth Law (2008) and a Law on Youth Volunteering (2007). 

10 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
HUNGARY: 

MALTA: 

NETHERLANDS: 

AUSTRIA: 

POLAND: 

PORTUGAL: 

There is a law on the Children and Youth Fund (1995) and a Regulation of the Ministry of  
Youth and Sports on the Functioning of the National Children and Youth Fund and the 
Regional Youth Services (1999). 

No legislation on youth but a Commissioner for Children Act, Chapter 462 of the Laws of  
Malta: http://www.mjha.gov.mt/LOM.aspx?pageid=27&mode=chrono&gotoID=462 (English 
version). 

The Youth Care Act 2005 and the Social Support Law 2007 address child and youth issues.  
A new youth law will soon replace the Youth Care Act. 
Youth Care Act: http://english.minvws.nl/en/folders/djb/2005/youth-care-in-the-
netherlands.asp 
 Social Support Act: http://english.minvws.nl/en/themes/social-support-act (English version). 

There is a Federal Youth Promotion Act (2001): 
http://www.en.bmwfj.gv.at/Youth/YouthPromotion/Seiten/default.aspx  

The Act on promotion of employment and labour market institutions (2004) outlines special 
measures for unemployed under the age of 25. 

All youth legislation (latest revisions in 2011) is available online at  
http://juventude.gov.pt/Legislacao/Paginas/Legislacao_Juventude.aspx (in Portuguese). There 
are youth protection acts in all nine regions. English versions are available upon request. 

ROMANIA: 

The Romanian Youth Law was adopted in 2006. 

SLOVENIA: 

SLOVAKIA: 

FINLAND: 

Legislation on youth include the Youth Councils Act, 
http://www.ursm.gov.si/fileadmin/ursm.gov.si/pageuploads/pdf/ZJIMS/ZMS-
NPB1__ANG.pdf, and the Public Interest in Youth Sector Act, 
http://www.ursm.gov.si/fileadmin/ursm.gov.si/pageuploads/pdf/ZJIMS/ZJIMS_ENG.pdf 
(English version). 

Different legislation addresses needs and rights of young people. The legal act closest 
resembling a youth law is the Youth Work Support Act (2008). 

There is a Youth Act (2006), http://www.minedu.fi/OPM/Nuoriso/nuorisopolitiikka/?lang=en 
(in English), and several other acts that address welfare and health, rights, education and 
training. 

UNITED KINGDOM: 

There is the Children Act (2004), http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/31/contents, and 
the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act (2009). Furthermore, in Wales there is 
the Rights of Children and Young Persons Measure (2011) and in Scotland the Commissioner 
for Children & Young People Act (2003). 

NON-EU COUNTRIES 

SWITZERLAND: 

There is a Federal law on the Promotion of extracurricular Child and Youth Welfare (2011). 

MONTENEGRO: 

There is different legislation pertaining to young people's rights and well-being. A separate 
Youth Law is planned, scheduled for adoption in 2012. 

CROATIA: 

Law on Youth Advisory Boards (LYAB), adopted in 2007. 

2.2.2.  National  Strategies  and  Action  Plans  or  cross-sectoral  strategies  specifically 

referring to youth issues 

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Does  your  country  have  a  National  Youth  Strategy  and/or  Action  Plan,  or  a 
cross-sectoral strategy specifically referring to youth issues? 

Total  Belgium 

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries excl. 
Belgium 

Yes 

No 

▼ 

◊ 

28 

5 

3 

4 

21  

5  

11 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
Even  in  the  absence  of  a  National  Youth  Strategy  or  action  plan,  Ireland  and  Spain  stress 
that strategies existed previously and that new strategies are expected to be in place by the end 
of  2012.  Portugal  and  Spain  are  currently  drafting  a  White  Paper  on  Youth.  All  ongoing 
processes  mention  that  consultations  with  young  people  are  an  inherent  element  in  the 
development of youth policy. In Austria a national Action Plan for the Rights of Children and 
Youth has been in place since 2004. 

As is true for youth legislation, National Youth Strategies and action plans are in many cases 
relatively recent. A substantial number of countries in which strategies are already in place, 
report ongoing processes to develop new strategies. This again suggests that youth policy is 
an area of increasing importance at national level. 

12 

 
 
 
 
2.2.3. 

Institutional mechanisms aimed at cross-sectoral youth policy  

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Does  your  Government  have  an  inter-ministerial  working  group  on  youth  or  any  other 
institutionalised mechanism for ensuring a cross-sectoral approach to youth policy? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

 EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

YES, such an institutional mechanism has existed since before the EU Youth 
Strategy came into force in January 2010. 

YES, such an institutional mechanism was established after the EU Youth Strategy 
came into force in January 2010. 

■ 

● 

NO, but we have an ongoing initiative to establish such an institutional mechanism 

in 2012.  ▲ 

NO, we do not plan to establish such an institutional mechanism. 

♦ 

1 

2 

27 

4 

1 

1 

4 

22  

2  

1 

1 

There are many examples of standing working groups or advisory bodies with representatives 
of  different  ministries.  In  the  French  community  of  Belgium,  a  permanent  inter-ministerial 
Conference  on  Youth  has  existed  since  July  2011  at  the  level  of  Ministers.  In  Cyprus,  an 
inter-ministerial Consulting Committee on Youth consists of representatives of 10 ministries 
and various government agencies. In the Czech Republic, the Youth Chamber, which is an 
advisory body to the Youth Minister and consists of representatives from various ministries 
and  youth  stakeholder  groups,  has  been  transformed  into  an  efficient  instrument  for  the 
implementation  of  youth  policy.  In  Spain,  the  Inter-ministerial  Commission  for  Youth 
comprises  a  senior  representative  of  each  ministry  plus  the  president  of  the  National  Youth 
Council, and its role is to propose government programmes and measures in the youth field. 
The  Council  of  Youth  Affairs  in  Lithuania  consists  of  6  representatives  of  different 
ministries  and 6  representatives of the Lithuanian Youth Council, and submits proposals on 
youth policy to the Ministry of Social Security and Labour. 

Several  Member  States  mention  that  the  EU  Youth  Strategy's  emphasis  on  a  cross-sectoral 
approach has played an important role for the recognition of youth policies and strategies at 
national level. 

FRANCE 

Policy in favour of young people 

The document of transversal policy ‘Policy in favour of young people’ is an annual annex to 
the draft of the budget law. It shows the policy pertaining to young people from the age of 3 
to 30 with measures taken, indicators of performance and dedicated funding including costs of 
human resources (€ 74.9 billions). Documents of transversal policy allow another perspective 
on the budget, but are not subject to parliamentary decision. The document on youth policy is 
written  according  to  an  inter-ministerial  procedure  established  by  the  Ministry  of  Finance. 
The  policy  is  presented  along  five  strategic  axes.  In  addition  to  informing  Members  of 
Parliament, the document aims to harmonize the policies between the ministries involved in 
its preparation and to detect possible synergies. It can be downloaded here. 

13 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
2.2.4.  Linkages between youth policy and youth research 

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Is there an institutionalised and regular cooperation between the Ministry responsible for 
Youth and the youth research community in your country? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

YES, such cooperation has existed since before the EU Youth Strategy came into 
force in January 2010. 

YES, such cooperation was established after the EU Youth Strategy came into 
force in January 2010. 

■ 

● 

NO, but we have an ongoing initiative to establish such cooperation in 2012.  ▲ 

NO, we do not have any initiative to establish such cooperation. 

♦ 

22 

2 

6 

3 

1 

1 

1 

3 

1 

18  

0  

6 

2 

Member  States'  governments  take  different  approaches  to  institutionalised  cooperation  with 
researchers.  A  significant  number  of  Member  States  fund  Youth  Institutes  which  often 
conduct  research  themselves.  In  the  cases  of  Luxembourg,  Malta,  and  Portugal  these 
institutes  are  part  of  a  university,  whereas  research  centres  in  the  United  Kingdom  have  a 
stronger emphasis on secondary analysis. 

Germany and Austria both issue youth reports outlining the situation of young people during 
each  parliamentary  term.  Estonia  refers  to  the  organisation  of  cooperation  seminars  by  the 
Youth  Institute.  In  Slovakia,  cooperation  takes  place  in  working  groups.  Facilitation  of 
information  exchange  and  stimulation  of  research  is  the  focus  of  the  Nordic  Youth 
Cooperation Committee in Denmark and the Youth Institute in the Netherlands. The Nordic 
Youth Cooperation Committee derives new ideas also from the European dashboard of youth 
indicators.  The  Youth  Research  Society  in  Finland  promotes  of  multidisciplinary  youth 
research and was founded as non-profit organisation already in 1988, the earliest year referred 
to by Member States responding to this question. 

With Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Latvia, and Lithuania nearly all the Member States reporting 
ongoing initiatives are currently trying to establish a permanent network of youth researchers. 

2.2.5. 

Strategies and measures to support youth work 

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Does the Government of your country have a strategy to acknowledge, raise awareness 
of, and reinforce the role of youth work in society, in line with the Council Resolution on 

Youth Work (2010)

? 

12

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

YES, we already had such a strategy in place since before the EU Youth Strategy 
came into force in January 2010. 

YES, we have set up such a strategy since the adoption of the EU Youth Strategy 
came into force in January 2010. 

■ 

● 

NO, we do not have such a strategy in place, but the Government is planning to set 
up such a strategy in the coming year. 

▲ 

NO, the Government is not planning to set up such a strategy. 

♦ 

19 

3 

3 

4 

7 

1 

1 

2 

15  

2  

4 

5 

The Flemish Community of Belgium, Germany, and Finland point out their long tradition of 
youth  work,  by  referring  to  well  established  funding  procedures  at  various  levels  and  long 
standing  laws.  Finland  not  only  underlines  the  importance  of  local,  regional,  and  national 
youth work in its policy programme, but also of virtual youth work. 

Several Member States refer to parts on youth work in their National Youth Strategies (e.g. 
Latvia,  Lithuania,  and  Hungary).  In  Slovenia  the  notion  of  the  entire  youth  work  sphere 

12 

OJ C 327, 4.12.2010, pp. 1-5. 

14 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
                                                 
being  in  the  public  interest  is  anchored  in  law.  Spain  reports  on  efforts  in  the  area  of 
professional qualifications in the youth field; Malta refers to its university as an institution of 
higher  education  for  the  youth  field  also  delivering  courses  leading  to  vocational 
qualifications.  In  the  Czech  Republic  high  quality  NGOs  are  awarded  the  honorary  title 
‘Organisation  recognised  by  the  Ministry  of  Education,  Youth  and  Sports  in  the  field  of 
children and youth work’. 

Even  some  Member  States  that  report  not  having  or  planning  such  strategies  are  actively 
promoting youth work. In Bulgaria, the significance of youth work is outlined in the National 
Youth Strategy (2010-2020); in Slovakia there is a Youth Work Support Act and in Sweden 
– where youth work is a local responsibility – one of the main roles of the National Board of 
Youth Affairs is to provide relevant support to municipalities. Cyprus and Poland report that 
they provide active support to youth work through their policies. 

The  most  frequently  mentioned  measure  is  the  financing  of  non-governmental  youth 
associations. 

MALTA 

Youth Information Portal 

Youth  Information  Malta  consists  of  a  web  portal  which  includes  general  information 
compiled  in  Maltese  and  in  English  about  a  wide  range  of  topics.  A  search  function  and 
accessibility features are also included. The information is continually updated and includes 
detailed  contact  information  of  various  organisations  together  with  embedded  hyperlinks  to 
access further details directly from the source. The portal provides also a showcase of news, 
music,  and  events  pertaining  to  the  youth  field.  The  streaming  music  function  is  aimed 
primarily to promote local artists and their music with direct links to the respective websites. 
The  events  section  is  a  showcase  of  events  and  besides  informing  young  people,  it  assists 
youth organisations, agencies and groups in their promotions. Youth Information Malta aims 
also to be a common meeting platform for young people, institutions, organisations and youth 
workers. For more information click here. 

2.2.6.  Using general EU funding opportunities for youth initiatives  

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Has your Government carried out specific initiatives targeting young people or the field 
of youth policy utilising EU funding opportunities through the European Social Fund, the 
European Regional Development Fund and/or the Rural Development Fund, or any other 
relevant EU funds or programmes such as PROGRESS? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

YES, we have carried out youth initiatives or projects utilising the general EU 
funding opportunities mentioned above in the past, before the EU Youth Strategy 
came into force in January 2010, but they are now finalised. 

■ 

13 

YES, we are currently carrying out youth initiatives or projects utilising the general 
EU funding opportunities mentioned above. 

● 

14 

1 

2 

NO, we have not carried out youth initiatives or projects utilising the general EU 
funding opportunities mentioned above, but we are planning to do so in 2012. 

NO, we do not plan to utilise the EU funding opportunities mentioned above to 
finance youth activities or projects. 

▲ 

♦ 

1 

5 

12  

11  

0 

3 

1 

1 

2 

A  majority  of  projects  funded  by  the  EU  through  the  European  Social  Fund  (ESF),  the 
European  Regional  Development  Fund  and/or  PROGRESS  focus  on  labour  market 
integration of young people. Employability is strengthening e.g. through better recognition of 
non-formal  learning  and  supporting  youth  work,  training  of  youth  workers,  stimulating 

15 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
entrepreneurship,  improving  information  services  and  developing  ICT  skills.  Other  projects 
focus on developing networks of youth centres and regional youth policy, improving systems 
of  formal  education,  and  promoting  rural  development  by  working  with  young  farmers. 
Diverse groups of young people at risk of social exclusion and poverty or with special needs 
(immigrants, disabled, early school leavers) are often targeted.13 

2.3. 

Implementation of the first cycle of the EU Youth Strategy 

2.3.1. 

Impact of the EU Youth Strategy on national or local level 

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Please indicate how the EU Youth Strategy, adopted in November 2009, has influenced 
youth priorities in your country at the NATIONAL level? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

It has reinforced existing priorities.  ◄ 

27 

It has led to a re-orientation of policy.  ► 

It has had little or no impact on national youth policy.  ▬ 

3 

3 

2 

1 

2 

2 

23  

2  

1 

Please  indicate  how  the  EU  Youth  Strategy  has  influenced  youth  priorities  in  your 
country at the LOCAL and/or REGIONAL level? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

It has reinforced existing priorities.  ◄ 

24 

It has led to a re-orientation of policy.  ► 

It has had little or no impact on local and regional youth policy.  ▬ 

2 

7 

1 

1 

1 

2 

2 

21  

1  

4 

Member  States  will  differ  in  national  priorities  and  vary  their  emphasis  on  different  policy 
areas linked to youth. However, the National Youth Reports show a strong coherence between 
national  initiatives  and  areas  of  action  which  they  committed  to  prioritise  through  the  EU 
Youth Strategy. 

Nearly  all  Member  States  report  that  the  EU  Youth  Strategy  has  reinforced  their  national 
priorities,  with  several  stressing  its  direct  impact.  For  example,  the  strategy  was  a  guiding 
document  for  developing  the  National  Youth  Policy  Programme  in  Lithuania,  the  link 
between  youth  policy  and  labour  market  policies  was  strengthened  in  Austria  and  the 
dialogue with youth was further developed in the Flemish Community of Belgium. 

The  EU  Youth  Strategy  seems  to  have  had  less  impact  on  local  and  regional  youth  policy, 
which is not unexpected given that the Open Method of Coordination focuses on cooperation 
between the EU and Member States. Implementation at regional and local level will require 
tailoring measures to regional and local circumstances, which probably requires more time. 

2.3.2.  Challenges in implementing the EU Youth Strategy at national level  

According  to  the  National  Youth  Reports,  the  EU  Youth  Strategy  has  been  the  subject  of 
many  conferences  and  meetings  across  Europe,  and  all  national  governments  have  actively 
promoted  the  Strategy.  This  is  particularly  true  for  the  Member  States  which  held  the  EU 
Council Presidencies  during  the first  two  years  of  the  EU  Youth  Strategy: Spain, Belgium, 
Hungary and Poland. 

13 

The  question  does  not  refer  to  EU  programmes  such  as  the  Lifelong  Learning  or  Youth  in  Action 
programmes.  

16 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
                                                 
When  assessing  the  challenges  in  implementation,  many  National  Youth  Reports  noted  that 
the  close  links  between  the  EU  Youth  Strategy  and  National  Youth  Strategies  made  it 
artificial to separate the two. Among the main challenges mentioned by most countries were: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

cross-sectoral and inter-ministerial cooperation; 

convincing local authorities to put ‘youth’ on the agenda; 

highlighting  the  added  value  of  non-formal  education  and  youth  work  for  other 
policy areas; 

consequences of high youth unemployment and its social impact on young people. 

The financial crisis only exacerbates these challenges. 

Few  countries  carried  out  assessments  on  the  impact  of  the  EU  Youth  Strategy  at  national 
level and when it occurred, it usually coincided with assessing national policy (such as in the 
Czech  Republic,  Slovenia  and  Finland  in  2011).  In  Estonia,  the  Estonian  Youth  Work 
Centre  developed  a  youth  monitoring  system  and  since  2010  publishes  a  youth  monitoring 
yearbook. Germany is the only country undertaking a separate evaluation of the EU Youth 
Strategy, focusing on its governance instruments. 

2.3.3.  Consultation of young people in the reporting exercise 

In line with the bearing principle of youth participation in the EU, nearly all Member States 
involved young people in developing the National Youth Report. The most common way has 
been to involve the National Youth Council, the National Working Group for the Structured 
Dialogue  and/or  other  relevant  youth  stakeholders,  but  some  have  also  organised  specific 
events (Ireland), or had an online consultation (Bulgaria, Romania and Slovakia). Several 
countries noted, however, that the format of the National Youth Report was not suitable for a 
wider consultation with young people. 

17 

 
 
 
 
Table 2-B: Overview of responses contained in National Youth Reports – legal framework, youth policy 
environment, implementation of the EU Youth Strategy14 

EU Member States 

Does your country have a 
‘youth law’ or legislation that 
specifically refers to youth 
issues, or laws containing a 
section addressing the needs 
and/or rights of young people? 

Is the document 
available in other 
languages, in full 
or abbreviated 
version? 

Does your country have a 
National Youth Strategy 
and/or Action Plan, or a 
cross-sectoral strategy 
specifically referring to 
youth issues? 

Is the document 
available in other 
languages, in full or 
abbreviated version? 

Belgium 
German-speaking 

Belgium 
Flemish 

Belgium 
French 

Bulgaria 

Czech Republic 

Denmark 

Germany 

Estonia 

Ireland 

Greece 

Spain 

France 

Italy 

Cyprus 

Latvia 

Lithuania 

Luxembourg 

Hungary 

Malta 

Netherlands 

Austria 

Poland 

Portugal 

Romania 

Slovenia 

Slovakia 

Finland 

Sweden 

United Kingdom 

Non-EU Members 

Norway 

Switzerland 

Montenegro 

Croatia 

▼ Yes 

 ◊ No 

▼ 

▼ 

▼ 

▼
▼
◊
▼
▼
▼
▼
◊
◊
◊
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
◊
▼

◊
▼
▼
▼

▼ 

▼ 

◊ 

◊
▼

◊
▼
◊
◊
▼

▼
▼
▼
▼
◊
◊
▼
▼
▼
▼
◊
◊
▼
▼
▼

◊

▼
◊
◊

▼ 

▼ 

▼ 

▼
▼
◊
▼
▼
◊
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
◊
▼
▼
◊
◊
▼
▼
▼
▼

▼
▼
▼
▼

◊ 

▼ 

◊ 

◊
▼

◊
▼
◊
◊
◊
◊
▼
▼
◊
▼
◊
▼
▼
◊
◊
▼
◊
◊

▼
▼
▼
◊

◊
▼
▼
▼

14 

Alphabetical order according to country's name in national language. 

18 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
Does your Government 
have an inter-
ministerial working 
group on youth or any 
other institutionalised 
mechanism for 
ensuring a cross-
sectoral approach to 
youth policy? 

Is there an 
institutionalised and 
regular cooperation 
between the Ministry 
responsible for Youth 
and the youth research 
community in your 
country? 

Does the Government of 
your country have a strategy 
to acknowledge, raise 
awareness of, and reinforce 
the role of youth work in 
society, in line with the 
Council Resolution on Youth 
Work (2010)? 

Has your Government 
carried out specific 
initiatives targeting 
young people or the 
field of youth policy 
utilising EU funding 
opportunities? 

EU Member 
States 

Belgium 
German-speaking 

Belgium 
Flemish 

Belgium 
French 

Bulgaria 

Czech Republic 

Denmark 

Germany 

Estonia 

Ireland 

Greece 

Spain 

France 

Italy 

Cyprus 

Latvia 

Lithuania 

Luxembourg 

Hungary 

Malta 

Netherlands 

Austria 

Poland 

Portugal 

Romania 

Slovenia 

Slovakia 

Finland 

Sweden 

United Kingdom 

Non-EU 
M b
Norway 

Switzerland 

Montenegro 

● 

■ 

● 

■
■
♦
■
▲
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
●
■
■
■
■
■
●
■
■
■
■

♦ 

● 

■ 

▲
■
■
■
■
■
▲
■
■
▲
♦
▲
▲
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
▲
■
■
♦
■

■
■
■
■

Croatia 
■ Yes, before the EU Youth Strategy came into force in January 2010  
● Yes, after the EU Youth Strategy came into force in January 2010 
▲ No, but plans 2012 

♦ No, without plans 

■
■
●
■

19 

■ 

■ 

■ 

♦
■
■
■
■
■
▲
■
■
▲
♦
■
●
●
■
■
■
■
♦
▲
▲
■
♦
■
♦
■

■
♦
●
♦

● 

● 

■ 

■
●
■
●
■
■
■
●
♦
●
■
♦
●
●
■
●
♦
●
■
■
■
■
●
●
●
■

♦
♦
▲
●

 
 
 
 
 
Please indicate how the EU Youth Strategy, 
adopted in November 2009, has influenced 
youth priorities in your country at the 
NATIONAL level? 

Please indicate how the EU Youth Strategy has 
influenced youth priorities in your country at the 
LOCAL and/or REGIONAL level? 

EU Member States 

Belgium 
German-speaking 

Belgium 
Flemish 

Belgium 
French 

Bulgaria 

Czech Republic 

Denmark 

Germany 

Estonia 

Ireland 

Greece 

Spain 

France 

Italy 

Cyprus 

Latvia 

Lithuania 

Luxembourg 

Hungary 

Malta 

Netherlands 

Austria 

Poland 

Portugal 

Romania 

Slovenia 

Slovakia 

Finland 

Sweden 

United Kingdom 

Non-EU Members 

Norway 

Switzerland 

Montenegro 

Croatia 
◄ It has reinforced existing priorities 
► It has led to a re-orientation of policy 
▬ It has had little or no impact on youth policy 

► 

◄ 

▬ 

◄
◄
▬
◄
◄
◄
◄
◄
◄
◄
◄
◄
►
▬
▬
◄
◄
◄
▬
◄
◄
◄
◄
◄
◄
◄

▬
▬
◄
◄

► 

◄ 

◄ 

◄
◄
▬
◄
◄
◄
◄
◄
◄
◄
◄
◄
►
◄
►
◄
◄
◄
◄
◄
◄
◄
◄
◄
◄
◄

▬
▬
◄
◄

20 

 
 
 
 
3. 

YOUTH EMPLOYMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP 

3.1. 

Commission initiatives and action  

3.1.1.  Youth employment: a priority for the European Union 

With the effects of the economic crisis on young people becoming ever more severe,  youth 
employment is an on-going concern for the EU. Since 2010, the youth unemployment rate has 
increased  to  well  over  more  than  one  in  five  young  Europeans,  with  much  higher  rates  for 
young  people  in  a  number  of  Member  States  or  for  young  people  with  specific  challenges, 
such as early school leavers. 

The Europe 2020 strategy dedicates two of its flagship initiatives ‘Youth on the Move’15 and 
‘An  Agenda  for  New  Skills  and  Jobs’16  to  improving  employability  and  employment 
opportunities for young people. ‘Youth on the Move’ was welcomed by the Council, thereby 
emphasising  the  particular  relevance  of  its  cross-sectoral  nature17.  In  December  2011  the 
Commission  launched  the  ‘Youth  Opportunities  Initiative’18  to  further  stress  the  need  for 
action on the high youth unemployment rates and the growing number of young people not in 
employment, education or training (so-called NEETs).  

The Youth Opportunities Initiative emphasised the primary role of Member States in tackling 
unemployment and advocated mobilising the European Social Fund (ESF) to further support 
skills  development  and  the  transition  from  school  to  work.  With  strong  backing  from  the 
informal European Council of 30 January 2012, the Commission set up youth action teams to 
support the eight Member States19 with the highest youth unemployment rates. These teams 
worked  together  with  national  authorities  and  social  partners  to  develop  actions  appropriate 
for  each  country,  along  with  advising  on  the  use  of  Structural  Funds  to  support  short-  and 
long-term measures. 

To supplement national efforts, the Commission initiated a number of measures at EU level, 
which included: 

• 

• 

• 

15 
16 
17 
18 
19 

The implementation of a preparatory action on ‘Youth guarantee schemes’ that will 
help Member States to ensure that all young people are in a job, further education or 
training within four months of leaving school.  

‘A quality framework for traineeships’ scheme that aims to increase the transparency 
on the conditions for trainees throughout the EU. 

‘Your first EURES job’, a targeted job mobility scheme in the form of a preparatory 
action that aims, in 2012-2013, to reach out to around 5 000 young people to help fill 
job vacancies in other Member States.  

COM(2010) 477. 

COM(2010) 682. 

OJ C 326, 3.12.2010, pp. 9-11. 

COM(2011) 933. 

Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Portugal, Slovakia and Spain. 

21 

 
 
 
 
                                                 
The  Commission  also  proposed  to  dedicate  more  EU  funds  to  apprenticeships,  student 
placements  in  enterprises,  young  volunteers  and  entrepreneurs  under  the  ESF,  the  Lifelong 
Learning, the Youth in Action and the Erasmus for Entrepreneurs programmes. A significant 
share of the budget for social innovation will be targeted at youth in disadvantaged situations 
and areas. 

To enhance transparency, the EURES European Job Mobility Portal gives access to over 1.3 
million  vacancies  and  850  000  CVs,  and  the  European  Vacancy  Monitor  provides  quarterly 
labour-market  updates  on  the  job  opportunities  available  in  different  sectors  and  countries 
across the EU. The awareness-raising campaign ‘Youth@Work’ (April 2011-May 2012) was 
aimed to link up young people and SMEs.  

Mutual  learning  and  exchange  of  good  practice  on  youth  employment  has  taken  place  with 
support  of  the  ESF.  For  instance,  a  Youth  Employment  Network  on  education,  counselling 
mobility  and  entrepreneurship,  (consisting  of  Belgium,  Germany,  Greece,  Spain,  Italy, 
Cyprus, Latvia, and Sweden) which produced a Benchmarking Report in 2011 showcasing 
best  practices  based  on  studies  and  evaluation  as  a  basis  for  a  Common  Reference 
Framework. 

The EU placed further efforts into improving the quality of traineeships and work placements 
it  supports  through  its  programmes.  A  new  study20  provided  a  comprehensive  overview  of 
how  traineeships  are  structured  in  Member  States,  from  legislative  frameworks,  governance 
and financing, to target groups, sectors and professions. The study pointed out issues around 
the current arrangements where improvement is needed, including areas related to quality, and 
the need for new opportunities particularly for young people who are unemployed, low skilled 
or  at  risk  of  social  exclusion.  The  outcomes  of  the  study  will  be  fed  into  on-going  work 
related  to  moving  obstacles  to  mobility  and  improving  the  quality  of  traineeships  and  work 
placements. 

3.1.2.  Youth employment: the priority of the first cycle under the EU Youth Strategy 

Given the rising youth unemployment rates, the Trio Presidency during 2010 and the first half 
of  2011  (Spain,  Belgium  and  Hungary)  chose  ‘youth  employment’  as  the  overarching 
priority.  

Within  the  Trio  Presidency,  each  country  focused  on  a  national  priority,  proposing  action 
contributing  to  labour  market  access  and  employability  of  young  people  from  this  specific 
angle.  Under  the  Spanish  Presidency,  the  Council  adopted  a  Resolution  on  the  active 
inclusion  of  young  people:  combating  unemployment  and  poverty21;  and  under  the  Belgian 
Presidency  a  Resolution  on  youth  work22.  Under  the  Hungarian  Presidency,  the  Council 
adopted  a  Resolution  on  encouraging  new  and  effective  forms  of  participation  of  all  young 
people  in  democratic  life23,  which  stressed  the  value  of  participation  in  acquiring  key 
competences.  Several  events  explored  concrete  policy  approaches,  including  e.g.  a  peer 

20 

21 
22 
23 

European Commission, 2012. Study on a comprehensive overview on traineeship arrangements 
in Member States. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union. Available here. 

OJ C 137, 27.5.2010, pp. 1-6. 

OJ C 327, 4.12.2010, pp. 1-5. 

OJ C 169, 9.6.2011, pp. 1-5. 

22 

 
 
 
 
                                                 
 
learning  seminar  on  cross-sectoral  youth  policy  cooperation  in  Madrid  and  a  seminar  on 
flexicurity. 

The European Youth Forum (YFJ), in cooperation with the Trio Presidency, the Commission 
and National Working Groups, conducted a Structured Dialogue on youth employment which 
resulted in a number of concrete recommendations. The Council endorsed later a number of 
recommendations in a Resolution, which notably called for better labour market information, 
the recognition of non-formal learning, a quality framework for internships, the flexibility to 
for  mobility24.  These 
reconcile  work  and  private 
recommendations  were  well  received  and  taken  further  by  Commissioners  Vassiliou  and 
Andor. 

life,  and  more  opportunities 

3.1.3.  Entrepreneurship: another career option 

The Commission promotes entrepreneurship as a career option. Within education policy, peer 
learning activities and targeted funding of European projects aim to promote entrepreneurship 
as a key competence in the education systems. The ‘Erasmus for Entrepreneurs’– expected to 
finance  around  600  exchanges  in  2012  –  offers  new  entrepreneurs  learning  experiences  in 
businesses  abroad.  The  European  Progress  Micro-finance  Facility25  financially  supports 
potential young entrepreneurs and € 3 million of the ESF Technical Assistance will be used to 
support  Member  States  schemes  for  young  business  starters  and  social  entrepreneurs.  The 
Commission organised meetings with youth representatives, stakeholders and policy-makers 
to discuss policy initiatives to cooperate on entrepreneurship promotion and share experience. 

ROMANIA – YOUTH IN ACTION PROGRAMME  

Learning how to help young people find their place in society 

The project trained youth leaders from Azerbaijan, Greece, Italy, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, 
Turkey and Ukraine in working with young people facing unemployment, marginalisation and 
social exclusion. It guided them in techniques to stimulate entrepreneurial skills among youth, 
and  to  interest  unemployed  young  people  in  seeking  qualifications,  employment  and 
involvement  in  society.  22  young  people took part in this 10-day  training  course  funded  by 
the Youth in Action national agency in Romania in mid-2010. It was hosted by Kasta Morrely 
in Iasi, Romania, a human rights organisation that promotes skills central to the development 
of  a  democratic  society.  Through  a  non-formal  approach,  discussions  addressed 
entrepreneurship  and  business  strategies,  social  inclusion,  youth  unemployment  in  Europe, 
vocational  qualifications,  the  socioeconomic  situation  in  participants'  countries  and  the 
challenges  of  engaging  unemployed  young  people  to  participate  actively  in  society.  On  the 
basis  of  this  project,  further  cross-border  cooperation  has  developed  to  reduce  youth 
unemployment and support local communities. 

3.2. 

Summary of initiatives and action at national level 

3.2.1.  Youth measures in flexicurity strategies 

Responses in National Youth Reports 

24 
25 

OJ C 164, 2.6.2011, pp. 1-4. 

OJ L 87, 7.4.2010, p. 6. 

23 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
Has the Government of your country - existing or previous - taken concrete measures or 
carried  out  any  specific  policy  initiatives  to  take  the  specific  situation  of  young  people 
into account when devising flexicurity strategies? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

YES, such measures had already been taken before the EU Youth Strategy came 
into force in January 2010, no additional initiatives were necessary. 

YES, such measures/initiatives were taken after the EU Youth Strategy came into 
force in January 2010. 

■ 

● 

NO, but we plan to take concrete measures in this field in 2012.  ▲ 

NO, we do not have any current plans to carry out measures in this field. 

♦ 

13 

10 

5 

5 

3 

2 

2 

11  

7  

5 

3 

Flexicurity is about optimising the balance between labour market flexibility and security for 
employees  against  labour  market  risks.  Some  countries  adapted  the  legal  framework 
regulating  employment  contracts  to  improve  access  of  young  people  to  the  labour  market. 
Others  apply  schemes  to  encourage  employers  to  hire  young  people,  e.g.  through  tax 
incentives, or grant special facilities for dismissed employees to find a job. Such measures are 
frequently  combined  with  e.g.  career  guidance,  counselling  or  opportunities  to  gain  work 
experience. 

3.2.2.  Cross-border professional and vocational opportunities for young people 

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Has the Government of your country - existing or previous - taken concrete measures or 
carried  out  any  specific  policy  initiatives  to  promote  cross-border  professional  and 
vocational opportunities for young people? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

YES, such measures had already been taken before the EU Youth Strategy came 
into force in January 2010, no additional initiatives were necessary. 

YES, such measures/initiatives were taken after the EU Youth Strategy came into 
force in January 2010. 

■ 

● 

NO, but we plan to take concrete measures in this field in 2012.  ▲ 

NO, we do not have any current plans to carry out measures in this field. 

♦ 

23 

3 

5 

1 

4 

1 

2 

1 

19  

3  

1 

3 

Many countries cite EU programmes such as Youth in Action and Lifelong Learning as key 
sources for opportunities to learn, train and work abroad. In Sweden, an evaluation of Youth 
in Action projects in the field of training showed their value in developing vocational, social 
and foreign language skills. In 2011 the Malta Qualifications Council started a Leonardo da 
Vinci project to test and implement the European Credit System for Vocational Education and 
Training in a national context, facilitating the recognition and transfer of learning outcomes. 
There are also national cross-border programmes in vocational training open to students from 
a neighbouring country, e.g. between  Germany and  France, and programmes that  organise 
professional training in other parts of the world. 

The  German  ESF  funded  ‘IdA  Programme  –  Integration’  offers  work  experience  abroad 
focussing  on  helping  young  people  facing  difficulties  to  access  the  labour  markets  (e.g. 
disadvantaged youth, young unemployed, single mothers, and young people with disabilities). 

Many countries actively promote opportunities to train or work abroad. The EURES network 
organises job days and campaigns around working abroad. One of the tasks of the Eurodesk 
youth information network, active in 33 countries, is to inform about mobility opportunities 
(e.g.  in  the  Flemish  Community  of  Belgium,  projects  financed  in  this  field  include  the 
website www.gostrange.be and a bi-annual information fair the latter of which attracted 1 500 
young people in 2011). 

Other  examples  of  policy  initiatives  to  promote  cross-border  professional  and  vocational 
opportunities for youth are a programme for supporting distance learning to young people in 

24 

 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
remote  areas  of  Greece,  a  ‘mobility  semester’  for  all  undergraduates  at  the  University  of 
Malta  and  supporting  young  participants  in  ‘skills’  championships  at  national  and 
international level in Sweden. 

3.2.3.  Career guidance and counselling services 

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Has the Government of your country - existing or previous - taken concrete measures or 
carried  out  any  specific  policy  initiatives  to  develop  career  guidance  and  counselling 
services? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

YES, such measures had already been taken before the EU Youth Strategy came 
into force in January 2010, no additional initiatives were necessary. 

YES, such measures/initiatives were taken after the EU Youth Strategy came into 
force in January 2010. 

■ 

● 

NO, but we plan to take concrete measures in this field in 2012.  ▲ 

NO, we do not have any current plans to carry out measures in this field. 

♦ 

1 

2 

26 

6 

0 

1 

4 

21  

4  

0 

1 

Career  and  counselling  services  are  frequently  offered  by  education  institutions  as  well  as 
employment  services.  In  some  countries  such  guidance  is  guaranteed  by  law.  Youth 
information centres can play an important role in counselling and provide information on job 
opportunities,  e.g.  in  the  German-speaking  Community  of  Belgium,  where  schools  offer 
classes on ‘life planning’. The role of youth work is especially relevant for young people who 
are  out  of  reach  of  regular  education  or  employment  systems  and/or  who  need  a  second  or 
third chance. In some countries, for example Estonia, career and educational guidance targets 
not only young people but also parents, teachers and youth workers. The ESF is often quoted 
as a source to develop career guidance services. 

LATVIA 

KIPNIS – Career education 

In Latvia, the General Education Standard for secondary education includes career planning 
and  development,  integrated  into  the  various  teaching  subjects.  Subject  teachers  can 
themselves  determine  the  methods  for  exploring  this  within  the  curriculum  and  schools  can 
also integrate it in extracurricular activities. The ESF funded project KIPNIS provides career 
education guidelines and in-service teacher training on implementing such career education. 
For more information click here. 

Many  countries  offer  targeted  support,  courses,  counselling  or  work  placements,  to 
unemployed or vulnerable young people. A full year comprehensive counselling programme 
is available to young people in the French Community of Belgium, in which they can develop 
individual  plans  through,  for  instance,  awareness-raising  for  jobs  in  promising  sectors, 
sessions to explore one's own career path, information on job offers and, if appropriate, social 
support. Some countries use special approaches, such as  one-stop-shops  or  online guidance. 
Other  countries  organise  guidance  on  specific  topics,  such  as  in  Austria  where  guidance 
centres  advise  girls  on  ‘non-traditional’  careers  or  in  the  Flemish  Community  of  Belgium 
with  its  ‘Personal  Development  Trajectory’  for  students  in  dual  education  and  work.  In 
Bulgaria, events brought together young jobseekers and employers to exchange expectations 
and requirements. This led to common criteria in selection procedures. There is also guidance 
for  organisations  that  support  young  people,  e.g.  the  German  ‘Jobstarter’  for  companies 
offering placements. 

FINLAND 

25 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
MAST – Common guidance 

The MAST project, supported by the ESF, developed a model for counselling at regional level 
for students in vocational training. It aims to lower drop-out rates and facilitate transition to 
work  life.  The  project  involved  schools,  youth  workshops  and  others  working  with  young 
people. Its success is based on strong cooperation between the partners involved and the use 
of a common guidance model, e.g. to facilitate the assessment of skills gained at work by the 
school. For more information click here. 

The ‘Career Card’ in Greece is designed to help young people choose training to complement 
their knowledge and skills, while the card will cover costs of counselling and training. 

The  European  Lifelong  Guidance  Policy  Network  (ELGPN),  supported  by  the  Commission 
and bringing  together experts  from  26 countries, enhances better coordination of services, a 
common  understanding  of  career  management  skills  and  making  the  most  of  new 
technologies. 

26 

 
 
 
 
PORTUGAL 

Reflection for Action 

The  Portuguese  NYC  (CNJ)  conducted  a  project  ‘Reflection  for  Action  –  Towards  Youth 
Employment’ to implement the third phase of the first cycle of Structured Dialogue. Seminars 
occurred from January to March 2011, through the implementation of five regional meetings 
and  one  national  event.  In  the  latter  300  young  people  living  in  Portugal  took  part,  from 
different  socio-economic,  cultural  backgrounds  and  geographical  origin,  side  by  side  with 
decision-makers, politicians and experts. They identified concrete actions to be developed at 
EU  level  in  terms  of  youth  employment.  Non-formal  methods  education  was  an  integrated 
component  of  this  project  to  ensure  a  participatory  approach,  focusing  on  young  people's 
participation and cooperative work. The project produced a website and a Guide on the Rights 
of Young Workers. 

3.2.4.  Promoting quality internships and apprenticeships 

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Has the Government of your country - existing or previous - taken concrete measures or 
internships  and 
carried  out  any  specific  policy 
apprenticeships to facilitate the entry to, and progress within, the labour market? 

to  promote  quality 

initiatives 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

YES, such measures had already been taken before the EU Youth Strategy came 
into force in January 2010, no additional initiatives were necessary. 

YES, such measures/initiatives were taken after the EU Youth Strategy came into 
force in January 2010. 

■ 

● 

NO, but we plan to take concrete measures in this field in 2012.  ▲ 

NO, we do not have any current plans to carry out measures in this field. 

♦ 

25 

8 

0 

0 

2 

1 

3 

1 

20  

6  

0 

0 

Traineeships are frequently available as part of formal education and several countries have 
dual track education systems combining classroom teaching with apprenticeships, sometimes 
tailored  for  young  people  with  difficulties.  The  value  of  apprenticeships  is  supported  by 
numbers:  in  Wales,  United  Kingdom,  more  than  75 %  of  apprentices  achieve  a  full 
certificate. In Malta, 85 % of apprentices find employment or start a business. 

Several  countries  have  taken  legal  measures  to  promote  apprenticeships.  This  is  the  case  in 
Finland  (to  prevent  replacing  regular  workers  by  interns  and  better  protection  of  interns  at 
work), Germany (to widen possibilities for corporate internships), Romania (to improve the 
framework for apprenticeships in the workplace), Italy (to improve apprenticeship contracts) 
and Spain (to make trainees eligible for social rights and benefits).  

Broad  policy  programmes  are  also  pursued.  In  Germany,  specific  measures  include  the 
‘Wege  ins  Ausland’  working  group,  which  has  developed  criteria  and  raised  awareness  for 
quality  traineeships  abroad;  in  the  United  Kingdom,  a  web-based  apprenticeship  vacancy 
system  has  been  set  up  and  apprentice-sharing  between  different  employers  is  facilitated. 
Furthermore,  Austria  offers  guaranteed  placements  in  supra-company  structures  for 
apprenticeship-seekers  in  compulsory  education  and  Luxembourg  introduced  a  system  in 
vocational  training  that  transposes  job  profiles  into  learning  profiles,  listing  all  relevant 
competences to be acquired. 

27 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
PORTUGAL 

INOV – Training opportunities 

To facilitate transition, Portugal's ‘INOV’ programme offers a range of training opportunities: 
INOV-CONTACTO offers international 
INOV-Art  offers 
internships  in  arts  and  culture;  INOV-Energi@  aims  to  enhance  socio-professional  skills  of 
unemployed  graduates;  INOV-Social  promotes  integration  of  young  graduates  in  the  non-
profit sector; INOV-Jovem supports professional training in SMEs in innovation and business 
management;  INOV-Mundus  aims 
in 
organisations active in development cooperation. In 2010, INOV attracted 35 100 participants. 

involvement  of  young  graduates 

training to young  graduates; 

to  promote 

France has developed a comprehensive strategy for vocational training. Measures include a 
card  for  apprentices  with  similar  advantages  as  a  student  card,  online  facilities  for  partner 
search and completion of administrative procedures and the possibility to use temporary work 
agencies to hire apprentices. Financial support is available to individual companies as well as 
to improve the situation of apprentices and the vocational training system at large. 

A  number  of  countries  offer  graduates  and  unemployed  young  people  opportunities  to  gain 
work  experience  and  acquire  further  skills  by  extending  unemployment  benefits  and/or 
providing  financial  compensation  to  employers  who  offer  training  opportunities.  The  job 
guarantee  in  Sweden  targets  young  people  aged  16  to  24  who  have  been  enlisted  with  the 
governmental  employment  services  for  more  than  three  months.  The  guarantee  provides  for 
professional  orientation,  work  experience  or  even  preparatory  work  to  start  a  business.  In 
2010 on average 47 000 people per month participated.  

In  the  National  Youth  Reports  submitted  by  Member  States,  National  Youth  Councils  in 
several countries call for further efforts to offer quality traineeships. 

3.2.5.  Promoting sharing of responsibilities between partners 

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Has the Government of your country - existing or previous - taken concrete measures or 
carried out any specific policy initiatives to promote sharing of responsibilities between 
partners in order to facilitate reconciliation between professional and private life for both 
young women and young men? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

YES, such measures had already been taken before the EU Youth Strategy came 
into force in January 2010, no additional initiatives were necessary. 

YES, such measures/initiatives were taken after the EU Youth Strategy came into 
force in January 2010. 

■ 

● 

NO, but we plan to take concrete measures in this field in 2012.  ▲ 

NO, we do not have any current plans to carry out measures in this field. 

♦ 

2 

1 

3 

1 

25 

4 

1 

3 

20  

3  

0 

3 

Support  to  young  parents  is  available  across  Europe  –  albeit  to  different  degrees  –  through 
access  to  childcare,  along  with  financial  support  or  tax  deductions.  Aside  from  maternity 
leave,  paternity  leave  is  increasingly  available,  which  helps  young  women  and  men  better 
share  family  responsibilities.  There  are  also  possibilities  for  longer  ‘parental’  leave,  income 
support, the right to part-time work and  the promotion of flexible  working  arrangements. A 
number  of  countries  run  awareness  campaigns  and  in  some  countries  (such  as  Denmark, 
Austria and Slovenia) companies can perform audits to test their ‘family-friendliness’. 

28 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
LUXEMBOURG 

Megafamily 

In Luxembourg, the Megafamily campaign on the balance between work and private life was 
launched  in  2011  by  the  Ministry  responsible  for  equal  opportunities.  It  offers  online 
evaluation  tools  to  check  one's  own  situation,  targeting  both  families  and  businesses.  The 
‘familytest’ reveals inequalities between a couple regarding household chores and inspires a 
discussion  on  the  division  of  labour.  Moreover  a  wide  range  of  information  helpful  to 
reconcile  private  and  work  life  can  be  found  on  the  website,  e.g.  on  maternity  leave,  social 
transfers, babysitters. Employers also have a space to exchange good practices. The website is 
also linked to a group on Facebook, which allows for communication on the subject. 

3.2.6.  Promoting entrepreneurship in the field of sustainable development 

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Has the Government of your country - existing or previous - taken concrete measures or 
carried  out  any  specific  policy  initiatives  to  promote  entrepreneurship  in  the  field  of 
sustainable development? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

YES, such measures had already been taken before the EU Youth Strategy came 
into force in January 2010, no additional initiatives were necessary. 

YES, such measures/initiatives were taken after the EU Youth Strategy came into 
force in January 2010. 

■ 

● 

NO, but we plan to take concrete measures in this field in 2012.  ▲ 

NO, we do not have any current plans to carry out measures in this field. 

♦ 

2 

1 

3 

1 

25 

4 

2 

2 

20  

3  

1 

2 

Support  for  potential  or  new  entrepreneurs,  including  young  people,  in  the  form  of 
information, coaching, business services, grants or loans, is available across the EU. In some 
countries, young entrepreneurs enjoy more favourable conditions to set up a business. Others 
address  entrepreneurship  within  the  education  system  to  develop  entrepreneurial  skills  and 
creativity.  Programmes  are  available  for  young  people  to  this  purpose,  such  as  the  ones 
developed  by  Junior  Achievement-Young  Enterprise;  there  is  support  for  young  people 
willing  to  develop  their  own  ‘junior  enterprise’  whilst  still  in  education.  FINICIA-Jovem, 
developed  by  the  Youth  Institute  in  Portugal,  stimulates  creativity  and  innovation  among 
young entrepreneurs, students, and young people in youth organisations. 

Partners  from  Belgium,  the  Czech  Republic,  Germany,  Spain,  and  Lithuania  joined  in  a 
Community  of  Practice  ‘Learning  network  on  inclusive  entrepreneurship’  (COPIE)  to  share 
experience  on  producing  an  environment  in  which  entrepreneurship  is  a  natural  choice  for 
people  from  all  walks  of  life.  This  project  (2009-2012)  gathered  representatives  from  ESF 
management and implementing bodies and was supported with a grant of € 630 000. 

UNITED KINGDOM – WALES 

YES – Empowerment 

The  Youth  Entrepreneurship  Strategy  (YES)  Action  Plan  in  Wales  seeks  to  equip  young 
people with a ‘can do’ attitude and a drive to create opportunities for themselves. The YES 
Action Plan outlines measures for young people, education, business and community within 
three areas – Engaging: Promoting the value of entrepreneurship to create opportunities and 
develop young people – Empowering: Providing young people with entrepreneurial learning 
opportunities – Equipping: Supporting young people to create and grow businesses. For more 
information, click here. 

29 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
Most  countries  encourage  sustainable  activities.  In  Greece,  training  is  available  for 
unemployed to develop specific skills in sustainable  economic  development. Cyprus runs a 
scheme,  co-financed  by 
for  youth 
entrepreneurship,  emphasising  new  technologies,  innovative  production  and  environmental 
issues to develop strong and competitive businesses. Programmes in some countries focus on 
certain economic activities, e.g. the Ministry of Agriculture in the Czech Republic supports 
young farmers who want to start their own business. 

the  European  Regional  Development  Fund, 

LITHUANIA 

Rural Development 

There  are  support  possibilities  for  youth  under  the  Rural  Development  Programme  for 
Lithuania 2007-2013 consisting in setting up of young farmers, modernisation of agricultural 
holdings,  improvement  of  economic  value  of  forests,  first  afforestation  of  land,  non-
productive  investments  in  forests,  diversification  into  non-agricultural  activities,  support  for 
business creation and development, encouragement of rural tourism activities. The applicants 
under these measures are young farmers (a farmer, who is less than 40 years old) and young 
people  not  less  than  18  years  old.  For  the  implementation  of  the  projects,  priorities  of  the 
Rural  Youth  Committee  in  2012  are:  promoting  entrepreneurship  among  rural  youth;  to 
organise  the  leisure  time  for  rural  youth;  to  encourage  the  community  of  rural  youth;  to 
encourage  volunteering  of  rural  youth;  the  development  of  rural  youth-friendly  spaces;  to 
promote the ecological awareness. For more information, click here. 

Some  countries  support  entrepreneurial  initiative  in  the  non-profit  sector.  The  ‘Zakon  o 
socialnem  podjetnistvu’  (law  on  social  entrepreneuship)  in  Slovenia  promotes  socially 
relevant  activities  or  support  to  people  from  vulnerable  backgrounds.  In  the  Flemish 
Community  of  Belgium,  the  project  ‘Opinno’  encourages  science  students  to  orient 
themselves  towards  specific  areas,  including  ‘energy  and  living  environment’;  ‘CORE’ 
encourages  secondary  school  students  to  work  around  rational  use  of  energy  in  cooperation 
with a start-up cooperative; and ‘VLAJO’ supports projects for secondary school students to 
start  up  their  own  business  in  fair-trade  products.  In  Italy,  micro-credits  are  available  to 
develop social businesses or cooperatives that help increase jobs for disadvantaged or socially 
vulnerable groups. 

3.3. 

Youth-led initiatives and action 

Young  people's  voices  were  heard  through  the  Structured  Dialogue  dedicated  to  this  topic. 
The  European  Youth  Forum  (YFJ)  built  on  this  by  providing  further  feedback  to  the 
Commission and the Council on the need for a strong youth dimension in EU policy activities. 
It  also  increased  capacity  building  of  youth  organisations  on  youth  employment  policies 
through its Youth Employment Action network. 

The  YFJ  promoted  a  European  Quality  Charter  on  Internships  and  Apprenticeships,  which 
sets  the  basic  quality  principles  to  ensure  that  internships  and  apprenticeships  become 
valuable  and  quality  experiences  across  Europe.  The  YFJ  also  launched  a  survey  ‘Interns 
Revealed’  on  the  experiences  of  young  interns  in  Europe,  and  gathered  signatures  from 
organisations on the website http://qualityinternships.eu/ and from individuals via Facebook. 
This  support  campaign  continued  in  2012  and  the  Charter  was  officially  presented  at  the 
European Parliament in May 2012. 

30 

 
 
 
 
Youth  organisations  also  expressed  themselves  on  access  to  entrepreneurship  in  an  opinion 
presented  by  the  YFJ.  This  reaffirmed  the  need  for  stable,  enabling,  and  supportive 
environments to engage in entrepreneurship. This was further discussed during the roundtable 
‘Making  Entrepreneurship  a  Real  Option  for  Young  Europeans’  organised  in  the  European 
Parliament in May 2011. 

The  YFJ  also  issued  an  opinion  on  a  youth  guarantee.  This  is  important  to  improve  the 
situation of young people being neither in education, employment nor training (NEETs), who 
often face poverty and social exclusion. 

Young people gathered also at the ‘Youth Employment in Europe’ conference, co-organised 
by  the  YFJ  and  the  Organisation  for  Economic  Cooperation  and  Development  (OECD)  in 
Paris to express their opinions, concerns and suggestions on policy measures to support youth 
employment. 

31 

 
 
 
 
Table 3-A: Overview of responses contained in National Youth Reports – Youth Employment and 
Entrepreneurship 

Has the Government of your country - existing or previous - taken concrete measures or carried out any specific policy initiatives 

to take the 
specific 
situation of 
young people 
into account 
when devising 
flexicurity 
strategies? 

to promote 
cross-border 
professional 
and vocational 
opportunities 
for young 
people? 

to develop 
career 
guidance 
and 
counselling 
services? 

to promote quality 
internships and 
apprenticeships 
to facilitate the 
entry to, and 
progress within, 
the labour 
market? 

to promote sharing of 
responsibilities between 
partners in order to 
facilitate reconciliation 
between professional 
and private life for both 
young women and 
young men? 

to promote 
entrepreneurship in 
the field of 
sustainable 
development? 

EU Member 
States 

Belgium 
German-speaking 

Belgium 
Flemish 

Belgium 
French 

Bulgaria 

Czech Republic 

Denmark 

Germany 

Estonia 

Ireland 

Greece 

Spain 

France 

Italy 

Cyprus 

Latvia 

Lithuania 

Luxembourg 

Hungary 

Malta 

Netherlands 

Austria 

Poland 

Portugal 

Romania 

Slovenia 

Slovakia 

Finland 

Sweden 

United Kingdom 

Non-EU Members 

Norway 

Switzerland 

● 

● 

● 

●
▲
■
●
■
♦
●
▲
■
●
■
■
▲
♦
●
■
■
●
■
■
■
▲
▲
●
♦
■

■ 

■ 

■ 

●
■
■
■
■
■
●
▲
♦
■
■
■
♦
■
●
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
♦
■
■

● 

● 

■ 

●
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
♦
●
■
■
■
■
●
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
●
■
■

♦
♦
■

♦
■
●

■
■
■

Montenegro 
■ Yes, before the EU Youth Strategy came into force in January 2010 
● Yes, after the EU Youth Strategy came into force in January 2010 
▲ No, but plans 2012 

  ♦ No, without plans 

32 

■ 

● 

■ 

■
■
■
■
■
●
■
●
■
■
■
■
●
●
●
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
●
■

■
■
●

● 

■ 

■ 

●
■
■
■
■
♦
■
■
♦
■
♦
■
■
●
■
■
■
■
●
■
■
■
■
■
■
■

■
■
▲

■ 

■ 

● 

●
■
■
■
■
■
■
●
♦
●
■
■
■
♦
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
▲
■
■

■
▲
■

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
4. 

EDUCATION AND TRAINING 

4.1. 

Commission initiatives and action  

Education  and  training  figures  at  the  top  of  the  EU  agenda  with  one  of  the  five  headline 
targets  of  the  Europe  2020  strategy  –  the  EU  Strategy  for  jobs  and  growth  –  focusing  on 
increasing tertiary attainment to at least 40 % and reducing the share of early school leavers to 
less than 10 % by 2020.  

Through the strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training, adopted 
in  2009  for  the  period  up  to  202026  (ET  2020),  Member  States  agreed  that  the  long-term 
strategic objectives of EU education and  training policies are (1) making Lifelong Learning 
and mobility a reality; (2) improving the quality and efficiency of education and training; (3) 
promoting  equity,  social  cohesion  and  active  citizenship;  and  (4)  enhancing  creativity  and 
innovation, including entrepreneurship, at all levels of education and training.  

Following up the Europe 2020 headline target of lowering the rate of early school leavers to 
less than 10 % by 2020, the Commission adopted in 2011 the Communication Tackling early 
school  leaving  which  outlines  policy  measures  aimed  at  reaching  this  goal.  A  policy 
handbook  with  examples  of  good  practice  accompanied  the  Communication,  which  was 
followed by a Council Recommendation in May 201227.  

The Commission also adopted in 2011 the Communication Agenda for the modernisation of 
Europe's  higher  education28  which  prioritises  widening  access  of  under-represented  groups 
into higher education as a means to improve the attainment level. 

Within the strategic framework, the first Joint Report29, adopted in 2012 by the Commission 
and  the  Council,  finds  that  Member  States  are  making  slow  progress  towards  achieving  the 
Europe 2020 target of reducing the share of early school leavers below the 10 % benchmark. 
In 2011, the early school leaving rate averaged 13.5 % across the EU compared to 14.1 % the 
year  before  (with  considerable  differences  between  Member  States).  If  current  trends 
continue, the report states, the 2020 target will not be met. The share of low-achievers in basic 
skills in reading, maths and science, in contrast, is on track for meeting the EU target of less 
than 15 % by the end of the decade (20 % in 2009 compared to 24.1 % in 2006). 

The report also shows that achieving the EU's tertiary attainment target – raising the share of 
30 to 34 year olds who have graduated from higher education from the current EU average of 
34.6 %  to  at  least  40 %  –  cannot  be  taken  for  granted.  Seven  Member  States  score  below 
25 %.  To  support  Member  States'  reforms  and  contribute  to  the  goals  of  Europe  2020,  the 
Commission published a new agenda for modernisation of Europe's higher education systems 
in  September  201130.  The  strategy  identifies  priority  areas  where  EU  countries  need  to  do 
more  to  achieve  shared  education  objectives  and  sets  out  how  the  EU  can  support  their 
modernisation  policies.  EU-level  initiatives  will  include  a  multi-dimensional  university 

26 
27 
28 
29 
30 

OJ C 119, 28.5.2009, pp. 2-10. 

COM(2011) 18; Doc. 5242/11 – SEC(2011) 96; OJ C 191, 1.7.2011, pp. 1-6. 

COM(2011) 567. 

Annex I to the Annual Growth Survey 2012 COM(2011) 815. 

COM(2011) 567. 

33 

 
 
 
 
                                                 
ranking and an ‘Erasmus for Masters’ loan guarantee scheme for students taking a full degree 
course  abroad.  The  ‘Erasmus’  programme  celebrated  its  25  years'  anniversary  with  some  3 
million  European  students  having  already  participated.  An  Erasmus  manifesto  recently 
prepared  calls  to  enhance  the  quantity  of  the  programme  (student  numbers/targets  and 
adequate funding, incl. for less well-off students) as well as its quality (especially regarding 
programme preparation and credit recognition).  

The  Commission  encouraged  learning  mobility  through  ‘Youth  on  the  Move’,  one  of  the 
flagships  of  the  Europe  2020  strategy31.  ‘Youth  on  the  Move’  was  followed  by  a  Council 
Recommendation  on  learning  mobility32  which  provides  guidance  with  regard  to  tackling 
administrative, institutional and legal obstacles to learning mobility. The new proposal for an 
integrated  programme  Erasmus  for  All33  also  devotes  ample  room  to  learning  mobility,  and 
the Council has adopted a new benchmark in this area34. 

The EU Youth Strategy promotes youth work, which offers non-formal and informal learning 
environments. Youth work has been addressed during various events during 2010-2012. This 
included  the  first  European  Youth  Work  Convention  in  Ghent,  organised  by  the  Belgian 
Presidency with the support of the Commission (2010). The recommendations of this meeting 
were  endorsed  in  a  Council  Resolution35.  The  youth  partnership  between  the  European 
Commission and the Council of Europe organised a symposium in 2011 on the recognition of 
youth work. The Commission has also launched a study on the value of youth work in the EU 
the results of which are expected in 2013. 

PORTUGAL – YOUTH IN ACTION PROGRAMME 

Teach in order to learn 

This project took place in Luau, Angola, involving 12 volunteers from Portugal – along with 
Angolan  young  people  –  during  one  month  in  2010.  It  started  with  an  exploration  of  the 
education  and  training  needs  among  local  children  and  young  people,  to  get  to  know  the 
context they were operating in. On that basis, the volunteers built a library from scratch: 300 
cases  of  books  were  delivered  during  the  project,  they  classified  and  catalogued  and 
incorporated  them  into  the  new  library,  which  became  a  cultural  centre  for  extra-school 
activities.  They  worked  with  local  teachers  in  developing  cultural  and  artistic  activities  and 
providing teaching materials ranging from health to information technology. They also gained 
a clearer sense of what European identity means – something that they continued to display on 
their  return  home,  in  meetings  and  presentations  to  their  peers.  The  project  also  promoted 
international  youth  work  and  the  concept  and  practice  of  volunteering.  Local  newspapers, 
newsletters,  the  radio,  and  videos  made  by  the  volunteers  with  their  partners  during  the 
project and distributed widely on their return ensured its visibility. 

Adult  learning  is  a  vital  component  of  the  lifelong  learning  continuum,  covering  the  entire 
range  of  formal,  non-formal  and  informal  learning  activities,  general  and  vocational, 
undertaken by adults after leaving initial education and training. Adult learning is important in 

31 
32 
33 
34 
35 

COM(2010) 2020. 

OJ C 199, 7.7.2011, pp. 1-5. 

COM(2011) 788. 

OJ C 372, 20.12.2011, pp. 31-35. 

OJ C 327, 4.12.2010, pp. 1-5. 

34 

 
 
 
 
                                                 
relation  to  the  provision  of  second-chance  opportunities  and  the  acquisition  of  basic  skills 
such as literacy and numeracy, but also digital skills; in relation to targeted learning for early 
school leavers and young people not in education, employment or training (NEETs) as stated 
in the recent Council Resolution on a renewed European agenda for adult learning36. 

Intergenerational learning (IL) has been the main medium for the transfer of skills, knowledge 
and  values  between  generations  for  centuries.  Nowadays  IL  is  increasingly  taking  place 
outside  the  family  because  of  changes  in  structures  of  families  and  communities.  IL  in  the 
workplace  provides  a  means  to  imparting  tacit knowledge  and  skills  between  older  workers 
and apprentices and for younger workers to introduce new technical knowledge. Alongside its 
importance  in  the  context  of  working  environment,  IL  also  has  the  potential  to  contribute 
significantly  to  promoting  social  cohesion  in  general  and  is  admirably  suited  to  addressing 
many  of  the  key  challenges  facing  Europe  today,  such  as  combating  poverty,  integrating 
young people at risk, environmental protection and intercultural harmony. 

SPAIN, AUSTRIA, ROMANIA, SWEDEN – GRUNDTVIG 

Seniors for Intergenerational Knowledge Transfer 

Once seniors leave the labour market, they neither have the opportunity to offer their know-
how  to  others  nor  access  to  permanent  learning  processes  (lack  of  motivation),  leading  to  a 
kind  of  social  exclusion.  The  project  used  NICT-based  didactic  methodologies  to  qualify 
seniors (coming from restructuring sectors) to take active part (via volunteer work) in training 
processes aimed at young people, thus giving value and transferring their knowledge to new 
generations.  Through  such  efforts,  they  became  experienced  mentors  and  were  offered  the 
training  they  needed  as  well  as  the  necessary  tools  and  methodologies  to  enable  effective 
knowledge transfer across generations. For more information, click here. 

To promote the validation of non-formal and informal learning, the Commission prepared a 
draft Council recommendation on this subject37. The Commission is also working on a tool to 
help individuals record and present skills acquired throughout their lives, particularly in non-
formal settings, and will provide soon an updated inventory.  

4.2. 

Summary of initiatives and action at national level 

This summary is primarily focused on non-formal learning issues, in line with the priorities of 
the EU Youth Strategy. It does not encompass all the priorities of the Education and Training 
Strategy. 

4.2.1.  Developing non-formal learning opportunities to address early school leaving 

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Has the Government of your country - existing or previous - taken concrete measures or 
carried out any specific policy initiatives to support the development of youth work and 
other non-formal learning opportunities as a way of addressing early school leaving? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

YES, such measures had already been taken before the EU Youth Strategy came 
into force in January 2010, no additional initiatives were necessary. 

YES, such measures/initiatives were taken after the EU Youth Strategy came into 
force in January 2010. 

■ 

● 

24 

7 

1 

2 

2 

1 

21  

4  

36 
37 

OJ C 372, 20.12.2011, pp. 1-6. 

To be tabled in September 2012. 

35 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
NO, but we plan to take concrete measures in this field in 2012.  ▲ 

NO, we do not have any current plans to carry out measures in this field. 

♦ 

1 

1 

1 

1 

0 

Many  countries  present  good  practices  around  youth  work  activities  targeting  early  school 
leaving.  These  include  the  Youth  Coach  initiative  in  Austria,  the  European  Social  Fund 
(ESF) co-funded ‘Developing youth work quality’ project in Estonia as well as youth centres 
in the Czech Republic, Latvia and Lithuania. Other examples include the project Learning 
for Young Adults in Slovenia, involvement of youth workers in the social guarantee scheme 
in Finland, special trainings for young people with fewer opportunities in KOMPrax project 
in Slovakia and activity agreements in the United Kingdom. 

Germany,  France  and  Romania  mention  second  chance  schemes,  while  the  French 
Community  of  Belgium,  Luxembourg,  and  Poland  present  specific  voluntary  services 
targeted at early school leavers (‘solidarcité’ in Belgium, ‘service Volontaire d'orientation’ in 
Luxembourg and ‘Voluntary Labour Corps’ in Poland).  

The  need  for  an  individual  follow-up  of  the  early  school  leaver  by  youth  workers  is  often 
underlined in the National Youth Reports, e.g. by France, Italy and Finland. 

The Flemish Community of Belgium, Ireland, Spain and Sweden put a particular emphasis 
on supporting the youth organisations or youth projects which address early school leaving. 

Countries  such  as  Bulgaria  (with  a  project  ‘To  make  the  school  more  attractive’),  Greece, 
Italy (National Guidance Plan) and Malta (with initiatives using non-formal learning within 
schools) underline the development of specific programmes in schools to prevent early school 
leaving. 

Denmark  and  Portugal  underline  activities  in  favour  of  validation  and  recognition  of  non-
formal learning. 

BELGIUM 

Time-Out – swap school for non-formal learning 

‘Time-Out Projects’ exist for young people that come into conflict with teachers, with other 
children  in  their  class  or  for  those  who  have  problems  with  formal  education.  During  this 
time-out  period,  formal  education  or  employment  is  replaced  by  non-formal  learning 
opportunities.  Young  people  are  supposed  to  return  to  class  after  this  time-out  period.  For 
more information, click here. 

4.2.2.  Use of EU tools for the validation of skills and the recognition of qualifications 

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Has the Government of your country - existing or previous - taken concrete measures or 
carried  out  any  specific  policy  initiatives  to  strengthen  the  use  of  the  range  of  tools 
established at EU level for the transparency and validation of skills and the recognition of 
qualifications? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

YES, such measures had already been taken before the EU Youth Strategy came 
into force in January 2010, no additional initiatives were necessary. 

YES, such measures/initiatives were taken after the EU Youth Strategy came into 
force in January 2010. 

■ 

● 

NO, but we plan to take concrete measures in this field in 2012.  ▲ 

NO, we do not have any current plans to carry out measures in this field. 

♦ 

1 

2 

21 

7 

2 

3 

1 

1 

2 

19  

4  

2 

1 

36 

 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
Many  countries  present  the  state  of  play  regarding  the  preparation  of  their  National 
Qualifications Framework38, to be developed within the European Qualifications Framework 
(EQF)39. 

Besides  the  EQF,  other  European  tools  such  as  Europass,  YouthPass,  the  European  Credit 
Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS), and the European Credit System for Vocational 
Education and Training (ECVET) are also often quoted.  

The  Czech  Republic,  Estonia,  Spain,  Latvia,  Lithuania,  Slovenia  and  the  United 
Kingdom have chosen to focus their answer on validation of competences acquired through 
non-formal  learning  activities  such  as  youth  work,  as  there  seem  indeed  to  be  many 
developments  in  this  area.  The  Czech  Republic  has  developed  a  Personal  Competency 
Portfolio,  which  is  a  tool  for  recording  key  competences  acquired  in  non-formal  learning 
settings. Spain is currently working on the evaluation and recognition of competences gained 
via non-formal learning or work experience. A law on the validation and recognition of non-
formal  learning  was  adopted  in  February  2011  in  Latvia.  Non-formal  education  is  being 
revised in Lithuania and the set of competences gained via these activities is being assessed. 
Slovenia also presents its ‘national occupational qualifications’, a scheme for recognition and 
assessment  of  non-formally  obtained  knowledge.  In  the  United  Kingdom,  Wales  has 
developed quality standards for youth work. 

ESTONIA 

Stardiplats – how to put non-formal learning into a CV 

In  2010  the  Estonian  Youth  Work  Centre  launched  a  non-formal  learning  recognition 
instrument  ‘stardiplats’,  which  is  a  web-based  online  youth  portal,  where  young  people  can 
gather  and  write  down  all  of  their  formal  education  and  working  experiences  and  also  all 
different kinds of non-formal education experiences. They can analyse and describe their non-
formal  learning  experience  in  that  portal  and  afterwards  print  them  out  on  CV  or  Europass 
format  if  needed.  The  project  is  supported  via  the  ESF  co-funded  state  programme 
‘Developing youth work quality’ initiated by the Youth Affairs Department of the Ministry of 
Education  and  Research  and  carried  out  by  the  Estonian  Youth  Work  Centre.  For  more 
information, click here. 

4.2.3.  Promoting learning mobility of all young people  

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Has the Government of your country - existing or previous - taken concrete measures or 
carried  out  any  specific  policy  initiatives  to  promote  learning  mobility  of  all  young 
people? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

YES, such measures had already been taken before the EU Youth Strategy came 
into force in January 2010, no additional initiatives were necessary. 

YES, such measures/initiatives were taken after the EU Youth Strategy came into 
force in January 2010. 

■ 

● 

NO, but we plan to take concrete measures in this field in 2012.  ▲ 

NO, we do not have any current plans to carry out measures in this field. 

♦ 

1 

2 

25 

6 

0 

2 

2 

1 

1 

22  

3  

0 

1 

38 
39 

BE, BG, EL, CY, AT, PT, RO, SI, FI, SE, all indicate where they stand with this preparation.  

OJ C 111, 6.5.2008, pp. 1-7. 

37 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
                                                 
More than half of the Member States mention the key role of Youth in Action and other EU 
programmes, such as the Lifelong Learning programme, with a particular focus on Erasmus 
and Comenius, for promoting learning mobility of youth.  

Bulgaria  concentrates  on  the  promotion  of  Erasmus,  providing  also  additional  financial 
subsidies  for  young  people  with  fewer  opportunities.  Spain  on  the  other  hand  presents  a 
variety  of  grant  schemes  offered  by  ministries  and  the  Commerce  Office  for  internships, 
research projects and language courses all over the world. The main actor in Sweden in this 
field  is  the  International  Programme  Office  for  Education  and  Training.  This  government 
agency awards grants and project funding but also runs communication initiatives. 

38 

 
 
 
 
IRELAND 

National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) – sharing information on learning mobility 

The Government provides and promotes learning mobility through support for agencies and in 
turn for young people to learn about each other in the form of national and international visits 
and cross cultural exchange and non-formal learning. The NYCI International Programme is 
supported  to  provide  information  and  advice  through  sharing  information,  face  to  face 
meetings, development of partnerships and collaborations. It facilitates the learning mobility 
of  young  people  and  youth  workers  in  youth  organisations.  NYCI  shares  information  via 
youth.ie, e-newsletters, Facebook, Twitter, etc. NYCI works largely with youth organisations 
to  ensure  the  learning  mobility  of  young  people.  NYCI  also  works  with  the  Department  of 
Children  and  Youth  Affairs,  and  dáil  na  nÓg,  the  Youth  Parliament,  which  gives  young 
people in Ireland the opportunity to represent the views of those under the voting age of 18 at 
a national level, and to call for changes to improve the lives of young people in Ireland. For 
more information, click here. 

4.2.4.  Raising public awareness of the value of non-formal learning  

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Has the Government of your country - existing or previous - taken concrete measures or 
carried out any specific policy initiatives to make the broader public aware of the value 
of non-formal learning? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

YES, such measures had already been taken before the EU Youth Strategy came 
into force in January 2010, no additional initiatives were necessary. 

YES, such measures/initiatives were taken after the EU Youth Strategy came into 
force in January 2010. 

■ 

● 

NO, but we plan to take concrete measures in this field in 2012.  ▲ 

NO, we do not have any current plans to carry out measures in this field. 

♦ 

1 

2 

3 

1 

19 

11 

3 

0 

15  

9  

2 

0 

through  web-portals 

(such  as  www.mitteformaalne.ee 

Non-formal learning activities are promoted broadly across the Member States. They are often 
conducted 
in  Estonia  and 
www.hrdauth.org.cy  in  Cyprus),  special  events  (Youth  Work  Week  in  Wales,  United 
Kingdom),  campaigns  (e.g.  connected  with  the  European  Year  of  Volunteering,  such  as  in 
Austria)  or  projects  (Lithuania  for  instance  mentions  a  pilot  project  launched  in  2011  for 
non-formal  education  of  children,  including  a  scheme  of  individual  vouchers;  ‘changing 
mentalities’ project in Greece; ‘Youth information network’ in Latvia, ‘Year with Passion’ in 
Poland, ‘KOMPrax’ project in Slovakia). 

In this context, the National Youth Reports often40 seem to imply that a better assessment and 
quality of non-formal learning, as well as its improved recognition and validation, can support 
promotion and awareness-raising of its value. 

Denmark  and  Sweden  stress  the  very  lively  role  of  non-formal  activities  in  their  society 
(Folkbildning activities in Sweden, volunteering in Denmark). 

Portugal  and  Hungary  mention  their  activities  regarding  training  of  trainers  or  youth 
workers. 

40 

In particular Flemish Community BE, CZ, DE, EE, ES, FR, LU, AT, SI, FI. 

39 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
                                                 
IRELAND 

National Quality Standards Framework for youth work 

The  National  Quality  Standards  Framework  (NQSF)  aims  to  ensure  that  youth  work 
organisations  provide  quality  services  to  young  people.  It  also  provides  an  opportunity  to 
articulate their practice through the development of a common language within a  structured 
framework.  The  NQSF  is  intended  to  be  both  practical  and  developmental,  in  that  it  will 
enable  youth  work  organisations  to  assess  service  provision  and  to  identify  areas  for 
development.  The  values  underpinning  the  development  and  implementation  of  the  NQSF 
are: (i) a clear understanding of youth work's educational purpose, methodology and context; 
(ii) commitment to continual improvement and best practice; (iii) transparency of governance 
and  operation;  (iv)  equality  and  inclusiveness  embedded  in  policy  and  practice  for  staff, 
volunteers and young people; (v) promotion of the young person's well-being by ensuring safe 
learning environments. For more information, click here. 

4.3. 

Youth-led initiatives and action 

Youth organisations are a key provider of non-formal learning. Youth organisations and the 
European  Youth  Forum  (YFJ)  contributed  to  efforts  for  a  better  recognition  and  quality  of 
non-formal  education  by  implementing  a  pilot  project  on  quality  assurance  of  non-formal 
learning experiences in youth organisations. To explore spaces for flexibility between formal 
and  non-formal  education,  the  YFJ  regularly  organises  a  ‘Non-formal  Education  Week’. 
Based on the  pilot project, the YFJ developed a European  System for  Quality Assurance of 
non-formal  education,  anchored  in  three  strands:  expertise  building,  capacity  building  and 
developing a political consensus with institutions and stakeholders on how to organise quality 
assurance on non-formal education at European level. 

40 

 
 
 
 
 
Table 4-A: Overview of responses contained in National Youth Reports – Education and Training 

Has the Government of your country - existing or previous - taken concrete measures or carried out any specific policy initiatives 

to support the 
development of youth 
work and other non-
formal learning 
opportunities as a way 
of addressing early 
school leaving? 

to strengthen the use of 
the range of tools 
established at EU level 
for the transparency and 
validation of skills and 
the recognition of 
qualifications? 

to promote learning 
mobility of all young 
people? 

to make the broader 
public aware of the 
value of non-formal 
learning? 

EU Member 
States 

Belgium 
German-speaking 

Belgium 
Flemish 

Belgium 
French 

Bulgaria 

Czech Republic 

Denmark 

Germany 

Estonia 

Ireland 

Greece 

Spain 

France 

Italy 

Cyprus 

Latvia 

Lithuania 

Luxembourg 

Hungary 

Malta 

Netherlands 

Austria 

Poland 

Portugal 

Romania 

Slovenia 

Slovakia 

Finland 

Sweden 

United Kingdom 

Non-EU Members 

Norway 

Switzerland 

Montenegro 

● 

● 

■ 

●
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
▲
●
●
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
●
■
■

● 

● 

■ 

●
■
■
■
■
♦
●
■
■
■
■
●
■
■
▲
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
▲
■
●
■

■
♦
●
■

♦
♦
●
■

41 

Croatia 
■ Yes, before the EU Youth Strategy came into force in January 2010 
● Yes, after the EU Youth Strategy came into force in January 2010 
▲ No, but plans 2012 

♦ No, without plans 

● 

● 

■ 

■
■
■
●
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
●
■
■
■
■
■
●
■
■
♦
■
■

♦
■
■
●

● 

● 

■ 

●
●
■
●
■
▲
■
■
■
●
■
●
■
▲
●
●
■
■
■
■
■
■
●
●
■
■

■
■
■
▲

 
 
 
 
 
5. 

SOCIAL INCLUSION 

5.1. 

Commission initiatives and action  

Young  people  generally  are  among  the  most  vulnerable  groups  in  society,  and  this  is 
especially true in the current crisis. The proportion of young people living at risk of poverty is 
several percentage points higher than for the total population. Youth unemployment rates are 
more than twice as high as for the total EU population, and the impact of the crisis risks being 
particularly grave for today's generation of young people41. 

The  Europe  2020  strategy  advocates  not  only  smart  and  sustainable,  but  also  inclusive 
growth. One of its headline targets is to lift 20 million people out of risk of poverty and social 
exclusion  by  2020.  One  of  the  Europe  2020  flagship  initiatives  is  the  ‘European  Platform 
against  Poverty  and  Social  Exclusion’.  Poverty  should  be  combated  from  an  early  age; 
children born into poverty face a substantially higher risk of remaining poor throughout their 
youth and into adulthood. 

Combating  poverty  and  social  exclusion  is  primarily  a  Member  State  competence;  the 
Commission  plays  a  supporting  and  coordinating  role  by  identifying  best  practices  and 
promoting mutual learning, setting up EU-wide guidelines and making funding available. 

Social inclusion of all young people is a ‘field of action’ of the EU Youth Strategy and also a 
key priority of the Youth in Action programme. This programme supported more than 7 100 
projects  in  this  area  for  almost  €  105  million  in  2010  and  2011.  More  than  150 000  young 
people participated in these projects, of which more than one third young people with fewer 
opportunities. 

In 2010 the Council adopted the Resolution on active inclusion of young people: combating 
unemployment  and  poverty42,  emphasising  the  need  for  Member  States  to  step  up  efforts  to 
reduce social exclusion of young people and inviting them to act upon a number of issues. 

2010 was the European Year of Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. The key objectives 
of  the  year  were  to  raise  public  awareness  about  these  issues  and  to  renew  the  political 
commitment  of  the  EU  and  its  Member  States  to  improve  the  situation.  The  Council 
Declaration on the 2010 European Year43 signed at the end of 2010 concluded that: (1) The 
European  Year  of  Combating  Poverty  and  Social  Exclusion  has  contributed  to  giving  a 
stronger voice to the excluded. (2) The adoption of the Europe 2020 strategy was a major step 
forward. (3) The recognition of the fundamental human right for all women, men and children 
to  live  in  dignity  is  at  the  heart  of  the  EU  commitment  to  social  inclusion.  (4)  Taking  into 
account lessons learned from the past, the EU has to provide concrete, satisfactory and urgent 
answers to the difficulties faced by people living in poverty or social exclusion, by removing 
obstacles  and  empowering  women  and  men  to  change  their  situation.  (5)  The  legacy  of  the 
European  Year  of  Combating  Poverty  and  Social  Exclusion  2010  will  be  further  developed 
through the flagship initiative ‘European Platform against Poverty’. 

41  
42 
43 

See also Chapter 3 ‘Youth Employment & Entrepreneurship’ 

OJ C 137, 27.5.2010, pp. 1-6. 

OJ C 333, 10.12.2010, pp. 8-9. 

42 

 
 
 
 
                                                 
SOCIAL  INCLUSION  OF  YOUTH  ON  THE  MARGINS  OF  SOCIETY  –  MORE  OPPORTUNITIES, 
BETTER ACCESS AND HIGHER SOLIDARITY 

This  policy  review  focuses  on  the  situation  of  some  specific  youth  groups  in  the  European 
youth policy context, such as the homeless or those at risk of homelessness, migrant, ethnic 
minority youth and those young people with public care backgrounds.  

The policy review is based on the findings of a cluster of five research projects on the social 
inclusion  of  young  people,  financed  by  the  Socio-Economic  Sciences  and  Humanities 
Programme (SSH) of the EU 7th Framework Programme:  

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

YiPPEE: ‘Young People from a Public Care Background: pathways to education in 
Europe’. 
[January  2008  –  August  2010] 
http://tcru.ioe.ac.uk/yippee). 

(DK,  ES,  HU,  SE,  UK 

CSEYHP:  ‘Combating  Social  Exclusion  among  Young  Homeless  Populations:  a 
comparative investigation of homeless paths among local white, local ethnic groups 
and migrant young men and women, and appropriate reinsertion methods’. (CZ, NL, 
PT, UK [May 2008 – April 2011] http://www.movisie.nl/homelessyouth). 

EUMARGINS:  ‘On  the  Margins  of  the  European  Community  –  Young  adult 
immigrants  in  seven  European  countries’  (EE,  ES,  FR,  IT,  SE,  UK,  NO  [October 
2008 – September 2011] http://www.iss.uio.no/forskning/eumargins/index.html). 

EDUMIGROM: ‘Ethnic differences  in  education  and diverging prospects  for urban 
youth in an enlarged Europe’ (CZ, DK, DE, FR, HU, RO, SK, SE, UK [March 2008 
–February 2011] http://www.edumigrom.eu). 

YOUNEX:  ‘Youth,  Unemployment,  and  Exclusion  in  Europe:  A  multidimensional 
approach  to  understanding  the  conditions  and  prospects  for  social  and  political 
integration  of  young  unemployed’.  (DE,  FR,  IT,  PL,  PT,  SE,  CH  [May  2008  – 
August 2011] http://www.younex.unige.ch). 

Altogether, research evidence comes from eleven old and six new EU Member States, which 
suggests that this policy-oriented review is based on a good coverage of the countries of the 
EU. 

More specifically, the objectives of the review are: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

to provide an overview of the reasons for the precarious situations of the examined 
youth groups and to formulate the policy issues; 

to visualise the policy challenges needed to produce greater social inclusion on the 
labour market and in the wider society; 

to highlight policy implications for cross-border policy transfer; and 

to contribute with research-based recommendations. 

43 

 
 
 
 
 
The  EU  financially  supports  initiatives  against  poverty  and  social  exclusion  through  the 
European  Social  Fund  (ESF)44,  the  European  Globalisation  Adjustment  Fund45  and  the 
PROGRESS programme46. 

The ESF is dedicated to supporting employment and raising living standards throughout the 
EU.  The  guiding  principle  is  investment  in  education  and  training.  The  European 
Globalisation  Adjustment  Fund  supports  people  who  have  lost  their  jobs  as  a  result  of 
globalisation.  PROGRESS  is  the  EU's  employment  and  social  solidarity  programme  whose 
aim  is  to  encourage  improvements  in  employment,  social  inclusion  and protection, working 
conditions, non-discrimination and gender equality. 

ESTONIA,  SPAIN,  ITALY,  LATVIA,  LITHUANIA,  SWEDEN,  UNITED  KINGDOM  –  YOUTH  IN 
ACTION PROGRAMME 

Jump start – giving young people a new sense of motivation 

This short-term European Voluntary Service (EVS) project took place in 2010 and involved 
seven unemployed young people from Spain, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Sweden and the United 
Kingdom.  It  helped  participants  acquire  a  new  understanding  of  looking  for  a  job  during  a 
three-week  project  at  a  vocational  school  in  rural  Estonia.  They  learnt  something  concrete 
under the supervision of qualified educators, overcame language barriers and, as unemployed 
young people from Estonia also became involved, they came into contact with other cultures. 
These were all young people with fewer opportunities, and half of them had related social or 
health problems. Through this project, they developed a new desire to plan for their future and 
identify objectives for themselves. When returning home, they displayed an interest in active 
participation in society: some got jobs, others went back to school, and some became involved 
in other reintegration programmes and international youth projects. Furthermore, for some of 
the school's staff and organisers of the village, this was a novel teaching method and their first 
experience of dealing with young people from different parts of Europe. 

5.2. 

Summary of initiatives and action at national level 

5.2.1.  Youth work and youth centres as means for social inclusion 

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Has the Government of your country - existing or previous - taken concrete measures or 
carried out any specific policy  initiatives to realise the full potential of youth work and 
youth centres as means of inclusion? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

YES, such measures had already been taken before the EU Youth Strategy came 
into force in January 2010, no additional initiatives were necessary. 

YES, such measures/initiatives were taken the EU Youth Strategy came into force 
in January 2010. 

■ 

● 

NO, but we plan to take concrete measures in this field in 2012.  ▲ 

NO, we do not have any current plans to carry out measures in this field. 

♦ 

1 

2 

20 

7 

4 

2 

1 

1 

1 

1 

18  

4  

3 

1 

44 

45 

46 

For ESF Regulation, period 2007-2013, see OJ L 210, 31.7.2006, pp. 12-18; OJ L 126, 21.5.2009, pp. 
1-2. 

For  legislation  establishing  the  European  Globalisation  Adjustment  Fund  see  OJ  L  406,  30.12.2006, 
pp. 1-6; OJ L 167, 29.6.2009, pp. 26-29; OJ L 48, 22.2.2008, pp. 82-88. 

For legislation establishing PROGRESS see OJ L 315, 15.11.2006, pp.1-8; OJ L 65, 3.3.2007, p. 12; 
OJ L 87, 7.4.2010, p. 6. 

44 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
                                                 
Most  Member  States  provide  funding  to  youth  work  organisations  and  projects  through  a 
range  of  schemes  and  national  programmes.  Almost  all  have  developed  networks  of  youth 
work  centres,  which  offer  information,  counselling  services,  leisure  time  and  after-school 
activities for youth. The main focus usually is on socially vulnerable young people.  

Sweden has initiated a specific training programme for youth workers and youth leaders on 
youth  policy  and  methods  for  how  to  promote  the  social  inclusion  of  young  people  at  local 
level. Finland has realised the potential of youth work to combat social inclusion, but admits 
there is still room for improvement. In Finland, the risk of discrimination and unfair treatment 
against  children  and  young  people  is  particularly  high  in  immigrant  groups,  the  Roma,  the 
indigenous  Sámi  people,  sexual  minorities  and  among  youth  with  disabilities.  Slovenia 
finances youth work measures by the National Youth Office while, simultaneously, the local 
level  provides  a  number  of  initiatives  for  ensuring  a  holistic  approach  to  the  inclusion  of 
young people with fewer opportunities. 

5.2.2.  Cross-sectoral approach to improve community cohesion and solidarity 

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Has the Government of your country - existing or previous - taken concrete measures or 
carried  out  any  specific  policy  initiatives  to  adopt  a  cross-sectoral  approach  when 
working to improve community cohesion and solidarity and reduce the social exclusion 
of young people, addressing the inter linkages between e.g. young peoples education and 
employment and their social inclusion? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

YES, such measures had already been taken before the EU Youth Strategy came 
into force in January 2010, no additional initiatives were necessary. 

YES, such measures/initiatives were taken the EU Youth Strategy came into force 
in January 2010. 

■ 

● 

NO, but we plan to take concrete measures in this field in 2012  ▲ 

NO, we do not have any current plans to carry out measures in this field. 

♦ 

21 

8 

2 

2 

2 

1 

2 

1 

1 

19  

6  

0 

1 

In view of the inter-linkages between e.g. young people's education, employment, health and 
their  social  inclusion,  many  Member  States  confirm  the  importance  of  pursuing  a  cross-
sectoral  approach  and  of  including  a  youth  dimension  in  these  policy  areas  linked  to  social 
inclusion.  Member  States  frequently  mention  the  involvement  of  relevant  ministries  and 
stakeholders such as youth NGOs when deciding on youth related issues, strategies or action 
plans. Many put a strong emphasis on youth in their employment policies with the main goal 
to  promote  the  integration  of  young  people  in  the  labour  market  and  decrease  youth 
unemployment.  

The aim of Malta's ‘Embark for Life’ project is to provide support to young people, aged 16 
to  24,  who  need  assistance  to  integrate  better  into  the  workforce  and  society.  Through  this 
project, young people benefit from a number of individual sessions with a Professional Youth 
Support Worker. These experts help young people identify their strengths and weaknesses and 
outline areas they need to work on in order to improve their employability prospects. 

In  Austria,  two  federal  ministries  (Ministry  of  Social  Affairs  and  Ministry  of  Education) 
work  together  to  improve  the  situation  of  young  people  at  risk  through  the  project  ‘Youth 
Counselling’.  The  project  started  in  January  2012  in  several  federal  states  and  its  aim  is  to 
prevent early school leaving, to provide support for pupils/students at risk and those dealing 
with  psycho-social  or  family  problems.  The  youth  coaches  are  mainly  social  workers  who 
cooperate  with  teachers  and  school  boards/directors  in  offering  advice  and  helps  solving 
individual problems for young people at risk of social exclusion. 

45 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
FINLAND 

Myrsky – social participation through arts in rural areas 

The Myrsky project (The Storm), which was started in 2008 by the Finnish Cultural Fund, has 
financed youth art projects run by professional artists. During 2008-2011, over 14 000 young 
persons  have  participated.  The  objective  is  to  offer  young  people  in  rural  areas  artistic 
activities. It is especially targeting young people at risk of social exclusion or marginalization, 
and aims at strengthening the social participation of these young people through creating art. 

In the spring of 2011 Myrsky became a part of the Finnish Children and Youth Foundation's 
activities. For more information click here. 

5.2.3.  Development of intercultural awareness and competences 

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Has the Government of your country - existing or previous - taken concrete measures or 
carried  out  any  specific  policy  initiatives  to  support  the  development  of  intercultural 
awareness and competences for all young people and combat prejudice? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

YES, such measures had already been taken before the EU Youth Strategy came 
into force in January 2010, no additional initiatives were necessary. 

YES, such measures/initiatives were taken after the EU Youth Strategy came into 
force in January 2010. 

■ 

● 

NO, but we plan to take concrete measures in this field in 2012  ▲ 

NO, we do not have any current plans to carry out measures in this field. 

♦ 

21 

9 

2 

1 

1 

2 

3 

1 

17  

6  

2 

1 

A number of cited initiatives in this area target specific groups. Germany reports two federal 
initiatives with particular emphasis on disadvantaged youth and young people with migration 
background  to  promote  tolerance  and  democracy,  and  strengthen  civil  society.  Portugal's 
‘Escolhas’ programme aims to mobilise local communities for projects of equal opportunities 
aimed at children and young people from vulnerable socio-economic contexts, particularly the 
descendants  of  immigrants  and  ethnic  minorities.  School  curricula  in  Austria  include 
intercultural  learning  as  a  principle  of  teaching.  It  describes  a  holistic  way  of  teaching 
students  in  diverse  classes  together  with  people  using  diverse  first  languages  and  having 
different ethnic backgrounds. 

Many  countries  organise  specialized  training  programmes  for  youth  workers,  youth  leaders 
and young people to develop intercultural awareness and combat prejudice. In Luxembourg, 
a  mandatory  training  for  specialists  in  the  youth  field  includes  subjects  on  intercultural 
awareness  and  competences.  The  Czech  Republic  and  Latvia  report  various  non-formal 
learning  activities  for  youth  workers  and  young  people  on  topics  addressing  prejudice  and 
intercultural learning.  

The ESF is, according to Member States, frequently used to co-finance initiatives to develop 
intercultural awareness. Spain communicates with youth and addressed the topic in a youth 
friendly manner through the launch of the initiative ‘Rap Against Racism’ – a song, a video 
and a campaign with the participation of leading representatives of the Spanish hip-hop scene. 
The  government  of  Sweden  has  adopted  a  national  action  plan  to  promote  democracy  and 
combat violent extremism with a specific focus on young people. 

5.2.4.  Homelessness, housing and financial exclusion with focus on young people 

Responses in National Youth Reports 

46 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
Has the Government of your country - existing or previous - taken concrete measures or 
carried out any specific policy initiatives to address the issues of homelessness, housing 
and financial exclusion with a particular focus on young people? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

YES, such measures had already been taken before the EU Youth Strategy came 
into force in January 2010, no additional initiatives were necessary. 

YES, such measures/initiatives were taken after the EU Youth Strategy came into 
force in January 2010. 

■ 

● 

NO, but we plan to take concrete measures in this field in 2012.  ▲ 

NO, we do not have any current plans to carry out measures in this field. 

♦ 

24 

6 

2 

1 

2 

1 

2 

1 

1 

22  

3  

1 

0 

tackles 

low-income  strata  and 

to  young  people  from 

A  number  of  Member  States  cited  examples  of  youth-targeted  support  measures  related  to 
housing. Apart from general measures concerning housing policy, Cyprus grants low priced 
the 
ready-made  dwellings 
accommodation  problem  of  students  through  the  construction  of  student  residences  and 
subleasing  flats  at  lower  prices.  The  Czech  Republic  provides  shelter  services  for  young 
homeless mothers and their children and ‘half-way houses’ which means temporary residence 
services  for  young  persons  up  to  the  age  of  26  years,  who  leave  educational  facilities  for 
institutional  or  protection  care.  Spain  provides  technical  and  legal  advice  to  young  people 
under  the  age  of  35  in  buying  and  providing  housing  as  well  as  grants,  subsidies,  state  aid 
programmes,  monthly  allowances  for  covering  rental  costs  and  other  kinds  of  financial 
support.  Finland  also  ensures  sufficient  investment  funding  in  order  to  improve  the  living 
conditions of young people on the brink of independence with a focus on youth homelessness 
and the prevention of social exclusion, as well as reinforcing social skills. In Slovenia young 
people are classified as a priority group in a number of state measures to improve the housing 
situation; however, their access to housing remains limited given that in the majority of cases 
the number of applicants for subsidies, financial assistance and non-profit housing far exceeds 
the funds available. State subsidies intended for first-time home buyers are specifically aimed 
at young people; however, the eligibility for such subsidies is limited to young families and 
exclude individuals. 

From  the  National  Youth  Reports,  it  seems  that  there  is  a  trend  of  tackling  the  issues  of 
homelessness,  housing  and  financial  exclusion  of  young  people  through  the  general  social 
policies of the country and not through youth oriented policies in particular. 

5.2.5.  Access to quality services 

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Has the Government of your country - existing or previous - taken concrete measures or 
carried  out  any  specific  policy  initiatives  to  promote  access  to  quality  services  e.g. 
transport, e-inclusion, health, social services? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

YES, such measures had already been taken before the EU Youth Strategy came 
into force in January 2010, no additional initiatives were necessary. 

YES, such measures/initiatives were taken after the EU Youth Strategy came into 
force in January 2010. 

■ 

● 

NO, but we plan to take concrete measures in this field in 2012.  ▲ 

NO, we do not have any current plans to carry out measures in this field. 

♦ 

24 

5 

2 

2 

2 

1 

3 

1 

21  

3  

1 

1 

Some countries have incorporated the objective to ensure access of young people to quality 
services in their national youth strategies or action plans, whereas others mention the value of 
youth information offices and services providing tailor-made youth information. 

Belgium,  Spain,  Lithuania,  Austria  and  Portugal  report  discounts  for  young  people  on 
transport services. Austria furthermore offers e.g. free public schools and universities. In the 

47 

 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
Flemish Community of Belgium it is common practice to make public services less expensive 
for young people.  

The  Swedish  government  developed  an  online  youth  clinic  and  a  strategy  with  a  long-term 
objective  to  gradually  reduce  the  number  of  children  and  young  people  using  tobacco, 
narcotic drugs, doping substances and alcohol. 

AUSTRIA 

Youth Coaching – counsel for special needs 

BMUKK/Ministry of Education: In January 2012, the initiative Youth Coaching was started 
up  in  several  federal  states;  the  aim  of  the  initiative  is  to  prevent  early  school  leaving,  to 
provide  support  for  pupils/students  at  risk  and  those  dealing  with  psycho-social  or  family 
problems.  The  ‘Youth  Coaches’  are  mainly  social  workers  offering  counselling  and 
overcoming individual problems in school. They are requested to co-operate with teachers and 
school boards/directors. For more information click here. 

Addressing  social  exclusion  by  promoting  e-inclusion  services,  however,  is  rarely  reported. 
Only Estonia and the Flemish Community of Belgium mentioned e-inclusion services in their 
National Youth Reports. The e-inclusion concept, in particular focused on youth, needs to be 
more developed in all countries. 

SLOVAKIA 

Emancipated young adults 

Financial  support  for  young  adults  (ESF)  in  order  to  help  them  to  be  more  emancipated 
consists  of  activities  which  promote  the  availability  and  quality  of  care  services  (social 
services and measures of social protection and social guardianship), improve the position of 
vulnerable and marginalized population groups in the labour market and society. The project 
consists  of  several  programmes:  Social,  educational  and  other  programmes  and  methods 
designed  to  prepare  children  for  emancipation  before  completion  of  a  court  decision  about 
staying  in  an  orphanage.  Programmes  and  other  training  methods  work  to  promote  the 
emancipation of young adults after leaving an orphanage. Support programmes, professional 
activities and special methods of work for an adult person after orphanage leaving, focused on 
the  ability  to  acquire  and  maintain  a  household.  New  and  innovative  programs  focus  on 
adaptation, integration, careers and facilitate entry into the labour market. 

5.2.6. 

Specific support for young families 

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Has the Government of your country - existing or previous - taken concrete measures or 
carried out any specific policy initiatives to promote specific support for young families? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

YES, such measures had already been taken before the EU Youth Strategy came 
into force in January 2010, no additional initiatives were necessary. 

YES, such measures/initiatives were taken after the EU Youth Strategy came into 
force in January 2010. 

■ 

● 

NO, but we plan to take concrete measures in this field in 2012.  ▲ 

NO, we do not have any current plans to carry out measures in this field. 

♦ 

1 

2 

22 

7 

3 

1 

2 

1 

1 

19  

4  

3 

0 

48 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
Wherever  Member  States  provided  examples  of  measures  in  this  area,  state  guarantees  and 
subsidies  for  young  families  to  buy  or  renovate  housing  are  most  often  mentioned.  Some 
countries also mention well developed family policies and financial support to young parents. 
Young  families  in  Austria  benefit  from  paid  parental  leave  for  mothers  and/or  fathers 
(shared),  direct  financial  child  benefits  or  specific  tax  benefits  for  single  parents,  special 
access  to  cheap  housing  or  no-interest-loans  for  building  and  a  well-structured  system  of 
child-care.  The  Czech  Republic  has  facilitated  reconciling  professional  and  family  life  by 
designing  specific  flexible  measures  in  its  labour  law  (e.g.  reduced  working  hours  upon 
request  of  pregnant  women  or  flexible  working  time  to  young  mother/father).  The  Housing 
Development  Plan in Estonia  sets  out measures  and financing  to support  young people and 
families to buy or renovate their homes. In addition a state guarantee for mortgage for young 
families aims to support young families to buy their own dwelling. Italy introduced a national 
fund for newborn babies, under which new parents can apply for bank loans benefiting from 
special  refunding  conditions.  Malta's  social  marketing  campaign  targets  young  people  to 
promote work-life balance. Poland aims at a well-developed nursery system co-financed by 
government and the establishment of clubs for children up to three years old. Slovenia reports 
to have a highly developed family policy comprising a lot of benefits and services for children 
and families with children.  

5.2.7.  Young people and youth organisations in the European Year of Combating Poverty 

and Social Exclusion in 2010 

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Has the Government of your country - existing or previous - taken concrete measures or 
carried out any specific policy initiatives to engage young people and youth organisations 
in  the  planning,  delivery  and  evaluation  of  European  Year  of  Combating  Poverty  and 
Social Exclusion in 2010? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

YES, such measures had already been taken before the EU Youth Strategy came 
into force in January 2010, no additional initiatives were necessary. 

YES, such measures/initiatives were taken after the EU Youth Strategy came into 
force in January 2010. 

■ 

● 

NO, but we plan to take concrete measures in this field in 2012.  ▲ 

NO, we do not have any current plans to carry out measures in this field. 

♦ 

12 

10 

1 

10 

1 

1 

1 

1 

3 

10  

9  

1 

6 

Many  countries  report  participation  in  and  organisation  of  various  events  and  projects  in 
relation to the European Year 2010, whereby many projects addressed youth. 

Bulgaria  reports  that  various  projects  and  initiatives  were  implemented  under  the  Youth  in 
Action  programme  and  several  national  programmes.  In  Hungary,  youth  organisations, 
NGOs in the youth field and student unions were consulted on the topic of the European Year 
2010. Latvian youth was widely represented in the majority of activities, and a 13 year old 
singer,  involved  in  Latvian  Child  Forum  activities,  was  one  of  the  Ambassadors  of  the 
European Year 2010. 

5.2.8.  Cross-disciplinary research on active inclusion 

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Does  the  government  of  your  country  support  and  promote  cross-disciplinary  research 
relating to young people and their living conditions in line with the Council resolution on 
active inclusion, having regard to the socio-economic environment and the opportunities 
and obstacles this poses for the social inclusion and employability of young people?  

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

YES, the Government has supported and promoted such cross-disciplinary research 
since before the EU Youth Strategy came into force in January 2010. 

■ 

22 

2 

1 

19  

49 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
YES, measures were taken to support and promote such cross-disciplinary research 
after the EU Youth Strategy came into force in January 2010. 

● 

NO, but we plan to take concrete measures in this field in 2012.  ▲ 

NO, we do not have any current plans to carry out measures in this field. 

♦ 

1 

7 

3 

2 

1 

1 

1  

5 

1 

A number of Member States inform that they release regular evidence-based reports on young 
people's situation, including their living conditions. Some Member States have a monitoring 
system in place with a variety of youth indicators (Flemish Community of Belgium, Estonia, 
the Netherlands, Finland,  Wales in the United Kingdom) or support longitudinal research 
on  youth  (socio-economic  panel  in  Germany,  National  Longitudinal  Study  of  Children  in 
Ireland). 

5.3. 

Youth-led initiatives and action 

Young  people  and  their  representative  organisations  such  as  the  European  Youth  Forum 
(YFJ)  were  actively  engaged  in  promoting  and  implementing  the  2010  European  Year  of 
Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion and the 2012 European Year of Active Ageing. 

Youth,  through  the  channel  of  their  representative  body,  the  YFJ  were  consulted  prior  to 
elaborating  the  flagship  initiative  ‘European  Platform  Against  Poverty’47,  and  continues 
together  with  other  civil  society  organisations,  notably  within  the  ‘Platform  of  European 
Social NGOs’, to be involved in its monitoring. 

The YFJ is facilitating a project on the European coordination platform of young migrants and 
young  people  with  migrant  background  (YM+).  This  project  is  supported  by  the  European 
Programme  for  Integration  and  Migration  (EPIM),  and  involves  20  organisations  from 
different  European  countries.  The  YFJ  organised  two  capacity  building  events  for  YM+  in 
spring 2011 on advocacy and EU institutions and on organisational and project development, 
and established a group of contact persons, which assisted in the organisational development 
of YM+. 

47 

COM(2010) 758. 

50 

 
 
 
 
  
  
  
                                                 
EU Member States 

Belgium 
German-speaking 

Belgium - Flemish 

Belgium - French 

Bulgaria 

Czech Republic 

Denmark 

Germany 

Estonia 

Ireland 

Greece 

Spain 

France 

Italy 

Cyprus 

Latvia 

Lithuania 

Luxembourg 

Hungary 

Malta 

Netherlands 

Austria 

Poland 

Portugal 

Romania 

Slovenia 

Slovakia 

Finland 

Sweden 

United Kingdom 

Non-EU 
Members 

Norway 

Switzerland 

Montenegro 

Table 5-A: Overview of responses contained in National Youth Reports – Social Inclusion 

Has the Government of your country - existing or previous - taken concrete measures or carried out any specific policy initiatives 

to realise 
the full 
potential 
of youth 
work and 
youth 
centres as 
means of 
inclusion? 

to adopt a cross-
sectoral approach 
when working to 
improve community 
cohesion and 
solidarity and 
reduce the social 
exclusion of young 
people, addressing 
the inter linkages 
between e.g. young 
peoples education 
and employment 
and their social 
inclusion? 

to support the 
development of 
intercultural 
awareness and 
competences 
for all young 
people and 
combat 
prejudice? 

to address the 
issues of 
homelessness, 
housing and 
financial 
exclusion with a 
particular focus 
on young 
people? 

to 
promote 
specific 
support 
for young 
families? 

to 
promote 
access to 
quality 
services 
e.g. 
transport, 
e-
inclusion, 
health, 
social 
services? 

to engage 
young people 
and youth 
organisations 
in the planning, 
delivery and 
evaluation of 
European Year 
of Combating 
Poverty and 
Social 
Exclusion in 
2010? 

Does the 
government of 
your country 
support and 
promote cross-
disciplinary 
research 
relating to 
young people 
and their living 
conditions in 
line with the 
Council 
resolution on 
active 
inclusion? 

● 

● 

■ 

●
■
■
■
■
■
▲
■
♦
■
■
●
■
■
▲
●
■
■
■
■
■
▲
■
■
●
■

● 

● 

▲ 

●
■
■
●
■
■
■
■
●
■
■
■
♦
●
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
●
●
■

● 

● 

■ 

●
●
■
■
■
■
■
●
♦
●
■
●
▲
■
▲
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
●
■

■
▲
●
♦

■
♦
▲
■

■
■
●
■

● 

● 

▲ 

■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
●
■
■
■
■
●
▲
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
●
■

■
♦
●
■

● 

● 

▲ 

■
■
■
■
■
■
▲
■
♦
●
■
■
■
■
●
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
●
■

■
♦
■
■

● 

● 

■ 

▲
■
■
■
■
■
▲
■
■
●
■
■
■
■
●
■
■
■
●
▲
■
■
■
■
●
■

■
♦
●
■

● 

♦ 

■ 

●
●
♦
■
●
♦
♦
♦
●
●
■
●
■
♦
●
●
●
■
■
■
■
▲
■
■
♦
■

■
♦
♦
♦

♦ 

■ 

■ 

■
▲
■
■
■
■
▲
■
■
■
♦
▲
▲
■
■
●
■
■
■
▲
■
■
■
■
■
■

■
♦
▲
▲

Croatia 
■ Yes, before the EU Youth Strategy came into force in January 2010 
● Yes, after the EU Youth Strategy came into force in January 2010 
▲ No, but plans 2012 

  ♦ No, without plans 

51 

 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
6. 

HEALTH AND WELL-BEING 

6.1. 

Commission initiatives and action  

The majority of young people in the EU enjoy good health; nevertheless, evidence shows that 
the current crisis risks to have an impact on the health and well-being of young people – in 
particular in low-income families48.  

Although  health  is  mainly  a  national  competence,  the  Commission  coordinates  and 
complements these efforts through action at EU level. 

Under the Youth Health  Initiative  and as a follow-up  to  the  2009  ‘Be  healthy,  Be  yourself’ 
Conference, a number  of actions were  carried out around  four priorities (empowerment and 
participation, inequalities and vulnerability, communicating health, and mainstreaming these 
principles  across  European  health  policy).  The  Commission  organised  a  youth  health  event 
‘Food  for  mind,  mind  for  health’  in  October  2010  in  Torino,  then  European  Youth  Capital, 
together with stakeholders active on youth health49. 

Young  people  are  a  specific  target  group  in  several  EU  health  initiatives  around  smoking, 
alcohol  abuse,  nutrition,  obesity  and  drug  use50.  In  pursuing  action  in  this  area,  the 
Commission cooperates with stakeholders such as the European Youth Forum (YFJ). 

The  ‘Together  for  Health’  Programme  (2008-2013)51  supports  a  number  of  youth-related 
projects.  One  was  the  publication  Preventing  Injuries  in  Europe52  assessing  progress  by 
European  countries  implementing  the  WHO  Resolution  on  the  prevention  of  injury  and  the 
promotion of safety53. The ProYouth initiative promotes healthy eating, body satisfaction and 
preventing  eating  disorders  in  young  people  aged  15  to  25.  Under  the  Drug  Prevention  and 
Information Programme, the Commission supports several projects focused on prevention of 
drug use and treatment of teenagers and young  adults, among others a programme targeting 
young  polydrug  users,  a  resilience-based  interactive  drug  education  programme,  and  family 
empowerment and hepatitis prevention projects. 

In  2011,  the  Commission  launched  a  study  ‘Making  the  case  for  investing  in  the  health  of 
young  people:  assessing  the  economic  impact  of  poor  health  and  actions  to  promote  and 
protect better health of children in Europe’ together with the Health Behaviour in School-aged 
Children International Coordinating Centre within the University of Edinburgh. 

48 

49 

50 

51 
52 

53 

WHO Regional Office for Europe, 2011. Impact of Economic Crises on Mental Health. Copenhagen: 
WHO Regional Office for Europe. Available here. 

The  International  Union  for  Health  Promotion  and  Education  (IUHPE-CIPES)  European  Centre,  the 
European Youth Forum and other youth organisations. 

The EX-Smokers Campaign (2010-2013), the Strategy to support Member States in reducing alcohol-
related  harm  (2006-2012);  the  strategy  on  Nutrition,  Overweight  and  Obesity  related  Health  Issues 
(2007-2013); and the EU Drugs Strategy (2005-2012). 

OJ L 271, 9.10.2002, pp. 1-12; OJ L 301, 20.11.2007, pp. 3-13. 

WHO  Regional  Office  for  Europe,  2010.  Preventing  Injuries  in  Europe  –  From  international 
collaboration to local implementation. Copenhagen: WHO Regional Office for Europe. Available here. 

Resolution  on  the  Prevention  of  injuries  in  the  WHO  European  Region  of  15  September  2005, 
EUR/RC55/R9, 54257. 

52 

 
 
 
 
                                                 
GREECE – YOUTH IN ACTION PROGRAMME 

Board game about mental health 

A  group  of  young  people  from  an  NGO  called  ‘Athina’,  in  Greece,  active  in  the  field  of 
mental  health  and  de-institutionalisation  mainly  of  children  and  teenagers,  proposed  the 
creation  of  the  first  educational  board  game  aiming  at  informing  young  people  and  raising 
awareness  on  mental  health  issues  through  question  and  answers.  The  game  is  addressed  to 
teenagers, students and secondary school pupils and one of the main aims is to combat social 
exclusion and stigma on mental health issues. 

6.2. 

Summary of initiatives and action at national level 

6.2.1. 

Implementation  of  the  Council  Resolution  on  the  health  and  well-being  of  young 
people 

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Has the Government of your country - existing or previous - taken concrete measures or 
carried  out  any  specific  policy  initiatives  to  follow  up  the  Council  Resolution  on  the 
health and well-being of young people and encourage youth fitness and physical activity 
by applying the EU Physical Activity Guidelines? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

YES, such measures had already been taken before the EU Youth Strategy came 
into force in January 2010, no additional initiatives were necessary. 

YES, such measures/initiatives were taken after the EU Youth Strategy came into 
force in January 2010. 

■ 

● 

NO, but we plan to take concrete measures in this field in 2012.  ▲ 

NO, we do not have any current plans to carry out measures in this field. 

♦ 

1 

2 

22 

7 

1 

3 

2 

2 

19  

5  

1 

1 

Many  countries  undertake  efforts  to  improve  the  health  and  well-being  of  young  people 
through existing capacities within the sport movement or the education system. For instance, 
Austria  enhanced  its  policy  on  the  involvement  of  youth  in  sport.  The  Austrian  Health 
Promotion Foundation implements ‘Guidelines to Physical Activity’ through a general call for 
fitness  and  physical  activity  and  by  funding  projects,  campaigns  and  activities.  Slovenia 
addresses insufficient physical activity by ‘the National Sports Programme’ and ‘the National 
Health  Enhancing  Physical  Activity  Programme  2007-2012’,  which  established  11  goals 
targeting young people aged 15 to 29 years. Finland set up a cross-sectoral health-enhancing 
physical  activity  steering  group  at  the  end  of  2011  to  develop  new  strategic  guidelines. 
Cyprus introduced several initiatives, e.g. Student Sport Label/Badge Scheme in 2011 and a 
Health Card is issued for all competitive sport athletes. Latvia is implementing the National 
Sports Development Programme 2006-2012 and Bulgaria the programme ‘sport for Children 
in their spare time’ targeting young people up to the age of 18.  

53 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
6.2.2.  Encouraging healthy lifestyles for young people 

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Has the Government of your country - existing or previous - taken concrete measures or 
carried out any specific policy initiatives to encourage healthy lifestyles for young people 
via  physical  education,  education  on  nutrition,  physical  activity  and  collaboration 
between schools, youth workers, health professionals and sporting organisations? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

YES, such measures had already been taken before the EU Youth Strategy came 
into force in January 2010, no additional initiatives were necessary. 

YES, such measures/initiatives were taken after the EU Youth Strategy came into 
force in January 2010. 

■ 

● 

NO, but we plan to take concrete measures in this field in 2012.  ▲ 

NO, we do not have any current plans to carry out measures in this field. 

♦ 

1 

2 

26 

6 

1 

0 

4 

21  

4  

1 

0 

Most Member States promote healthy lifestyles for young people. Often they thereby focus on 
specific  health  issues,  such  as  physical  education,  health  education,  prevention  of  alcoholic 
beverages and tobacco products, healthy nutrition  and sexual education. The government of 
Spain launched the ‘National Agreement against the consumption of alcoholic beverages by 
minors’, which includes a manifesto signed by stakeholders from various social, educational 
and  business  sectors  committing  them  to  work  side  by  side  to  achieve  zero  consumption  of 
alcohol  by  young  people  under  the  age  of  18.  To  prevent  smoking  by  young  people,  the 
government  launched  an  awareness-raising  campaign  together  with  the  Spanish  Association 
Against Cancer (AECC), the National Youth Council and the Healthy Universities Network 
to mark the World No Tobacco Day on 31 May. The National Institute for Youth set up a new 
‘Center for Sexual Health Injuve’, to prevent unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted 
diseases.  In  Poland,  the  ‘Fruit  at  School’  programme  promotes  healthy  nutrition,  aiming  to 
increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables by children and to shape their eating habits. 
Since 2011 the  Ministry of Education provides funding for organisations promoting healthy 
lifestyle during ‘out-of-school’ activities.  

A  number  of  Member  States  emphasise  prevention  and  promotion  of  healthy  lifestyles.  For 
example, the Bulgarian National Health Strategy 2007-2012 raises the awareness for healthy 
lifestyles and health risks, whereby children and young people are targeted through Internet 
and social media. The Flemish Community of Belgium actively promotes the use of a health 
policy  in  every  school.  In  Slovenia,  the  Programme  for  Children  and  Youth  2006-2016 
promotes healthy lifestyles,  whereby  placing considerable emphasis on  awareness-raising in 
elementary  and  secondary  school  curricula.  The  Hungarian  National  Youth  Strategy 
addresses  health  awareness  in  education  and  training  and  develops  knowledge  and  methods 
within the national curriculum and school-based pedagogical programmes. 

6.2.3. 

Increasing knowledge and awareness of health issues among youth workers 

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Has the Government of your country - existing or previous - taken concrete measures or 
carried out any specific policy initiatives to increase knowledge and awareness of youth 
workers and youth leaders of health issues? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

YES, such measures had already been taken before the EU Youth Strategy came 
into force in January 2010, no additional initiatives were necessary. 

YES, such measures/initiatives were taken after the EU Youth Strategy came into 
force in January 2010. 

■ 

● 

NO, but we plan to take concrete measures in this field in 2012.  ▲ 

NO, we do not have any current plans to carry out measures in this field. 

♦ 

18 

8 

4 

3 

1 

1 

1 

2 

1 

1 

15  

6  

4 

1 

54 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
Member States frequently mention close cooperation between public bodies and civil society 
stakeholders. In the Czech Republic, a specialised unit for preventing risky behaviour within 
the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports coordinates policy and legislative initiatives and 
cooperates  closely  with  regional  specialists  and  schools.  By  law,  youth  workers  and  youth 
leaders,  especially  those  who  organise  camps  for  children  and  young  people,  have  to  be 
trained in security and health issues. 

The  General  Secretariat  for  Youth  in  Greece  conducted  a  series  of  online  debates  on 
AIDS/HIV where young people had the opportunity to ask questions on HIV transmission and 
treatment to doctors, psychologists and relevant institutions and organisations. The questions 
and answers now constitute a guide on AIDS, which can be found on the web-portal of the 
General Secretariat for Youth and which is distributed to schools, youth workers and others 
interested in learning more about AIDS.  

The  National  Youth  Institute  in  Portugal  runs  the  ‘Cuida-te’  (Take  care  of  yourself) 
programme  in  partnership  with  public  and  private  bodies  to  promote  healthy  lifestyles.  It 
targets young people, but also others, such as teachers, parents, youth organisations and health 
professionals. The Austrian Nutrition Action Plan includes an on-going Structured Dialogue 
with young people on nutrition. The Spanish Youth Council is pursuing a campaign around 
HIV prevention and is active within the context of the national strategy against alcohol abuse. 

6.2.4.  Encouraging peer-to-peer education 

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Has the Government of your country - existing or previous - taken concrete measures or 
carried out any specific policy initiatives to encourage peer-to-peer health education? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

YES, such measures had already been taken before the EU Youth Strategy came 
into force in January 2010, no additional initiatives were necessary. 

YES, such measures/initiatives were taken after the EU Youth Strategy came into 
force in January 2010. 

■ 

● 

NO, but we plan to take concrete measures in this field in 2012.  ▲ 

NO, we do not have any current plans to carry out measures in this field. 

♦ 

17 

8 

2 

6 

1 

1 

1 

1 

2 

1 

15  

5  

2 

4 

In almost every country where peer-to-peer education has been implemented, policy-makers 
see it as a crucial tool to reach out to younger people. Methods such as peer group education 
and peer counselling are seen as bringing added value into prevention work. 

For example, the National Youth Service Strategy of Wales, United Kingdom, identifies peer 
education as a key youth work methodology and many local authorities and voluntary sector 
youth organisations have local initiatives. In order to transfer this concept into practice on a 
more ambitious and national basis, an apprenticeship programme has been established. A total 
of  26  apprentice  youth  workers  are  employed  to  engage  with  young  people  at  risk  of 
becoming NEET (not in education, employment or training). 

6.2.5.  Making health facilities more youth friendly  

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Has the Government of your country - existing or previous - taken concrete measures or 
carried  out  any  specific  policy  initiatives  to  facilitate  access  to  existing  health  facilities 
by making them more youth friendly? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

YES, such measures had already been taken before the EU Youth Strategy came 
into force in January 2010, no additional initiatives were necessary. 

YES, such measures/initiatives were taken the EU Youth Strategy came into force 
in January 2010. 

■ 

● 

17 

8 

1 

2 

1 

15  

6  

55 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
NO, but we plan to take concrete measures in this field in 2012.  ▲ 

NO, we do not have any current plans to carry out measures in this field. 

♦ 

3 

5 

1 

1 

1 

2 

3 

Member States mention some concrete examples of how health facilities can be made more 
youth  friendly.  In  2010,  Bulgaria  maintained  19  consulting  rooms  across  the  country  for 
anonymous and free of charge consultations and tests of HIV. Consulting offices are situated 
at  regional  health  inspections,  municipal  hospitals  and  non-governmental  organisations. 
Ensuring guaranteed health services with high quality and easy access is one of the goals of 
the National Health strategy 2008-2013. Primary and specialized aid practice is to be brought 
closer to remote areas and residential districts populated mainly by Roma people.  

Finland  takes  efforts  to  reduce  regional  differences  in  access  to  pupil  and  student  welfare 
services. School and student health services are now more easily accessible, e.g. services of 
school  health  nurses  have  improved  during  the  last  few  years.  The  development  will  be 
assessed in cooperation with children and young people. To strengthen the youth perspective, 
discussion days were organised about 80 times in 60 different municipalities from 2009-2011 
and involved 2 500 young people. 

LATVIA 

Health and safety at work 

Within  the  ESF  project  ‘Practical  application  of  the  legislation  on  occupational  safety  and 
health  and  labour  relations  in  sectors  and  enterprises’  (2008-2013)  implemented  by  the 
Latvian Employers' Confederation, a computer game on occupational safety and health issues 
has  been  elaborated  for  young  people.  The  game  suggests  to  solve  real  problems  related  to 
health and safety at work in real Latvian enterprises (seven companies working in distribution 
of automobiles, retail trade, manufacturing and distribution of cosmetics, telecommunications, 
tourism and hotel services, construction, distribution of computer techniques). 

Information about the game is available online as well as the game. 

6.3. 

Youth-led initiatives and action 

After  the  launch  of  the  Youth  Health  Initiative  in  2009,  the  YFJ  contributed  to  the 
development  of  a  roadmap  for  the  implementation  of  the  initiative.  The  Youth  Forum  also 
followed  the  implementation  of  the  EU  Mental  Health  Pact  and  conferences  on  the  link 
between mental health, social exclusion and employment. The Forum also participated in the 
advisory board of the Commission's Help campaign and supported the Alcohol Policy Youth 
Network.  It  furthermore  participated  in  the  ‘Youthlink’  project  on  sexual  and  reproductive 
health and rights and developed its work on health inequalities. It also organised an event in 
October  2010  with  the  European  Parliament  Intergroup  on  Youth.  The  Forum  continued 
awareness-raising  and  capacity  building  among  its  Member  Organisations  on  health  issues 
within non-formal education and health training. 

The  Youth  Forum  supported  research  from  the  University  of  Maastricht  on  the  relationship 
between  youth  unemployment  and  mental  health  problems,  and  in  its  publication  ‘Youth 
Employment  in  Europe  –  A  Call  for  Change’  it  emphasised  the  issue  of  mental  scarring 
caused by youth unemployment and the social impact that the exclusion of young people is 
currently having. 

56 

 
 
 
 
  
Table 6-A: Overview of responses contained in National Youth Reports – Health and Well-being 

Has the Government of your country - existing or previous - taken concrete measures or carried out any specific policy initiatives 

to follow up the Council 
Resolution on the Health 
and Well-being of Young 
People and encourage 
youth fitness and 
physical activity by 
applying the EU Physical 
Activity Guidelines? 

to encourage healthy lifestyles 
for young people via physical 
education, education on 
nutrition, physical activity and 
collaboration between schools, 
youth workers, health 
professionals and sporting 
organisations? 

to increase 
knowledge 
and 
awareness of 
youth workers 
and youth 
leaders of 
health 
issues? 

to 
encourage 
peer-to-
peer health 
education? 

to facilitate 
access to 
existing 
health 
facilities by 
making them 
more youth 
friendly? 

EU Member 
States 

Belgium 
German-speaking 

Belgium 
Flemish 

Belgium 
French 

Bulgaria 

Czech Republic 

Denmark 

Germany 

Estonia 

Ireland 

Greece 

Spain 

France 

Italy 

Cyprus 

Latvia 

Lithuania 

Luxembourg 

Hungary 

Malta 

Netherlands 

Austria 

Poland 

Portugal 

Romania 

Slovenia 

Slovakia 

Finland 

Sweden 

United Kingdom 

Non-EU Members 

● 

● 

■ 

●
■
♦
■
■
■
▲
■
●
■
■
●
●
■
■
●
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■

● 

● 

■ 

■
■
■
■
■
■
▲
●
■
■
■
●
■
■
■
●
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
●
■

■
■
■
■

● 

♦ 

■ 

●
■
♦
■
■
■
●
■
■
●
■
●
●
▲
▲
●
■
■
■
■
▲
▲
■
■
■
■

■
■
●
♦

● 

♦ 

■ 

■
■
♦
■
■
■
♦
■
●
●
■
●
■
●
▲
■
■
■
●
■
■
▲
■
♦
♦
■

♦
●
●
■

♦ 

● 

▲ 

■
■
■
♦
■
■
■
●
■
■
■
♦
■
♦
▲
●
■
●
■
●
■
●
■
▲
●
■

♦
■
●
■

Norway 

Switzerland 

Montenegro 

♦
♦
■
Croatia 
■
■ Yes, before the EU Youth Strategy came into force in January 2010 
● Yes, after the EU Youth Strategy came into force in January 2010 
▲ No, but plans 2012 

  ♦ No, without plans 

57 

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
7. 

YOUTH PARTICIPATION 

7.1. 

Commission initiatives and action  

Youth participation is about young people's initiatives, individually or as a group, to engage in 
societal  activities,  to  freely  express  their  views  and  to  contribute  to  decision-making  on 
matters affecting them. 

Promoting youth participation is central to EU youth policy, it both is an underlying theme of 
the  EU  Youth  Strategy  and  one  of  the  ‘fields  of  action’  is  dedicated  to  its  promotion.  It  is 
incorporated into the Treaty of Lisbon, where Article 165 TFEU stipulates that ‘Union action 
shall  be  aimed  at  […]  encouraging  the  participation  of  young  people  in  democratic  life  in 
Europe’54. The right of young people to participate in decision-making is also underlined in 
the  Council  Conclusion  on  the  European  and  International  Policy  Agendas  on  Children, 
Youth  and  Children's  Rights55.  In  addition,  Article  24  (1)  of  the  Charter  of  Fundamental 
Rights of the EU stipulates that children may exptress their views freely and their views on 
matters which concern them must be considered in accordance with their age and maturity. 

The  Hungarian  Presidency  gave  special  priority  to  participation  during  its  mandate.  Under 
their Presidency, the Council adopted a Resolution on encouraging new and effective forms of 
participation  of  all  young  people  in  democratic  life56,  emphasising  a  broad  concept  of 
‘participation’ which covers not only social and political participation but also participation in 
the  labour  market  and  education.  The  Resolution  also  examines  new  forms  of  participation 
such as social media and online communities. 

The  Trio  Presidency  of  Poland,  Denmark  and  Cyprus  built  on  this  work,  making  ‘youth 
participation in democratic life in Europe’ the overarching priority for the second half of the 
first cycle of the EU Youth Strategy between mid-2011 and end 2012. In 2011, under Polish 
Presidency, the Council adopted Conclusions on the Eastern dimension of youth participation 
and  mobility57,  calling  on  the  Commission  and  Member  States  to  promote  exchanges  and 
mobility for young people in the EU and their eastern neighbours. 

The Structured Dialogue is one of the EU Youth Strategy's key initiatives bringing together 
young people and decision-makers around key issues all across Europe. Given its importance, 
Chapter 11 of this document is entirely dedicated to this process. 

The  Flash  Eurobarometer  on  ‘Youth  on  the  Move’  from  2011  addressed  opinions  and 
attitudes of young people also regarding participation, for example about their involvement in 
society  as  volunteers,  as  members  of  organisations,  and  as  participants  in  international 
activities, cultural activities and political activities. 

54 

55 
56 
57 

Article  165  of 
OJ C 83, 30.3.2010, pp. 47-199. 

the  Treaty  on 

OJ C 326, 3.12.2010, p. 1. 

OJ C 169, 9.6.2011, pp. 1-5. 

OJ C 372, 20.12.2011, pp. 10-14. 

the  Functioning  of 

the  European  Union 

(TFEU), 

58 

 
 
 
 
                                                 
The Commission also conducted a study on ‘Youth Participation in Democratic Life’58, which 
addresses:  youth  representation;  promoting  youth  engagement;  voting  and  deliberation; 
creativity,  innovation  and  youth  participation;  (new)  media  and  youth  participation;  and 
finally,  youth  exclusion.  Among  its  conclusions  are  that  there  is  indeed  no  crisis  of 
democratic  participation  or  disenchantment  with  politics  among  youth  in  Europe,  but  that 
young  people  lack  attractive  alternatives  among  established  politicians  and  feel  that  their 
opinions are not represented59. 

The Commission initiated efforts to restructure the European Youth Portal, adding features to 
promote  youth  participation  online.  From  providing  information  on  opportunities  for  young 
people, the portal is being turned into a platform for young people to engage with each other 
and  to  have  their  say  on  the  issues  that  affect  them.  The  Youth  Portal  will  also  support  the 
Structured Dialogue, with a view to stretching its outreach. 

The  Commission's  ‘Europa  Diary’  has  received  a  major  makeover,  moving  from  a  paper-
based diary format to a completely online product. It aims to give information to school pupils 
about their rights, participation, health issues, personal safety, consumer issues, studying, and 
the  environment.  As  announced  in  the  EU  Agenda  for  the  Rights  of  the  Child60,  the 
Commission launched the ‘Kids' Corner’ website61 in 2011, which aims to give children and 
young people information on their rights as well as information about the EU and its Member 
States. A key feature of the Kids' Corner is the EU Website on the Rights of the child62, where 
they can learn through games, quizzes and child-friendly texts in 22 EU languages. It works 
as  a  ‘one-stop  shop’  so  it  is  very  convenient  for  the  children,  who  can  easily  find  all  the 
different games at one place. 

Young  EU  citizens  can  now  use  the  new  online  tools  provided  by  the  Commission's 
‘European Citizens Initiative’ (ECI), to come together to raise issues and make proposals for 
EU legislation. The ECI, was launched in April 2012, and is open to young people who are 
old enough to vote in European Parliament elections63. 

Finally,  the  Commission  is  working  on  a  Youth  on  the  Move  Card  initiative,  as  part  of  the 
flagship initiative ‘Youth on the Move’. It launched consultation to hear stakeholders' views 
on  an  initiative  to  promote  the  use  of  youth  and  student  cards  making  the  lives  of  young 
people who are mobile within Europe easier, by giving them information, support and special 
deals. 

58 
59 

60 
61 
62 
63 

European Commission, 2012. Youth Participation in Democratic Life (forthcoming). 

Other  studies  that  concern  the  issue  of  participation  of  young  people  are  for  example  the  Study  to 
collect data on children's involvement in judicial proceedings in the EU, (terms of reference available 
here) and the Study on the legal framework for child participation at EU Member State and EU levels 
which should be launched in 2012. 

COM (2011) 60. 

http://europa.eu/kids-corner/index_en.htm. 

http://ec.europa.eu/0-18/ 

18 years old and above, except in Austria where the voting age is 16. 

59 

 
 
 
 
                                                 
BULGARIA – YOUTH IN ACTION PROGRAMME 

Engaging young people in decision-making  

This project aimed to identify how to increase active participation and youth employment in 
small and remote towns in Bulgaria. Research was conducted on the factors that determine the 
choice  of  hometowns,  and  discussions  were  organised  with  decision-makers  on  their  vision 
for employment, education and training, housing policy, transport, recreation, and healthcare. 
Participants became involved with local governments in the development of municipal youth 
strategies. At a national youth meeting in Sofia in October 2010, 70 young people presented 
and  shared  local  level  experiences  and  developed  recommendations  for  the  National  Youth 
Strategy and the Europe 2020 strategy. They discussed with decision-makers issues related to 
economic  activities  and  entrepreneurship,  employment  and  career  development,  recreation, 
youth  volunteering,  and  political  participation  and  civic  activism  at  the  local  and  national 
levels.  The  project  activities  demonstrated  that  youth  policies  are  developed  not  only  by 
organisations and institutions in the capital city but also with the participation of organisations 
from remote and small towns. A project video was produced and published on YouTube. 

7.2. 

Summary of initiatives and action at national level 

7.2.1.  Mechanisms for dialogue with youth on national youth policies 

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Has the Government of your country - existing or previous - taken concrete measures or 
carried out any specific policy initiatives to develop mechanisms for dialogue with youth 
and youth participation on national youth policies? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

YES, such measures had already been taken before the EU Youth Strategy came 
into force in January 2010, no additional initiatives were necessary. 

YES, such measures/initiatives were taken after the EU Youth Strategy came into 
force in January 2010. 

■ 

● 

NO, but we plan to take concrete measures in this field in 2012.  ▲ 

NO, we do not have any current plans to carry out measures in this field. 

♦ 

1 

2 

23 

10 

0 

0 

4 

18  

8  

0 

0 

Member States are active in promoting youth participation mechanisms since already before 
2010. From the range of activities, Member States quote some good examples of more recent 
activities. Some Member States initiated legal action. The Bulgarian Government is drafting 
a Youth Law, which allows for the creation of a national consultative youth council to assist 
the Minister for Education, Youth and Science in developing national policy. In Wales in the 
United  Kingdom,  pre-existing  guidance  on  consulting  with  and  involving  young  people  in 
decision-making became legally binding in 2012.  

Others enlarge possibilities for young people to participate in decision-making. The Flemish 
Community  of  Belgium  started  the  ‘Youth  Ambassadors  for…’  project,  in  which  youth 
representatives  express  their  opinions  on  the  thematic  priorities  chosen  by  the  Trio 
Presidencies in the context of the EU Youth Strategy.  

60 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
7.2.2.  Guidelines on youth participation, information and consultation 

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Has the Government of your country - existing or previous - taken concrete measures or 
carried  out  any  specific  policy  initiatives  to  encourage  use  of  already  existing,  or 
development of, guidelines on youth participation, information and consultation in order 
to ensure the quality of these activities? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

YES, such measures had already been taken before the EU Youth Strategy came 
into force in January 2010, no additional initiatives were necessary. 

YES, such measures/initiatives were taken after the EU Youth Strategy came into 
force in January 2010. 

■ 

● 

NO, but we plan to take concrete measures in this field in 2012.  ▲ 

NO, we do not have any current plans to carry out measures in this field. 

♦ 

3 

1 

1 

1 

1 

24 

8 

1 

0 

20  

6  

0 

0 

Member  States  were  already  actively  pursuing  activities  in  this  area  prior  to  2010  and 
continued to do so after the Strategy came into place. Some countries focus on ensuring a high 
standard of quality. The Ministry of Education and Science in Latvia launched an evaluation 
of  existing  youth  participation  mechanisms  in  2011.  To  share  best  practice  among 
practitioners and maintain a high quality of youth provisions, a biennial National Meeting in 
Spain in 2010 brought together over 200 youth information workers.  

Several countries have produced information material. In 2011, in the Flemish Community of 
Belgium  researchers  developed  a  framework  and  a  manual  on  youth  participation,  together 
with youth organisations. Estonia publishes a manual ‘Youth involvement and participation’, 
which focuses on practical issues around participation as well as evaluating the effectiveness 
of  youth  councils.  In  Sweden,  the  Ministry  of  Education  and  Research  is  producing 
guidelines for consultation with civil society organisations, including youth organisations. 

7.2.3.  Governmental support of youth organisations and Local/National Youth Councils 

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Has the Government of your country - existing or previous - taken concrete measures or 
carried  out  any  specific  policy  initiatives  to  support  politically  and  financially  youth 
organisations,  as  well  as  local  and  national  youth  councils  and  promote  recognition  of 
their important role in democracy? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

YES, such measures had already been taken before the EU Youth Strategy came 
into force in January 2010, no additional initiatives were necessary. 

YES, such measures/initiatives were taken after the EU Youth Strategy came into 
force in January 2010. 

■ 

● 

NO, but we plan to take concrete measures in this field in 2012.  ▲ 

NO, we do not have any current plans to carry out measures in this field. 

♦ 

3 

1 

28 

3 

5 

0 

0 

22  

4  

0 

0 

Some Member States have recently developed youth consultation structures. The Ministry of 
Education  in  Poland  supported  the  process  of  establishing  the  Federation  of  Youth 
Organisations  (National  Youth  Council),  whereby  ensuring  its  independence  free  from  state 
influence. In Cyprus, 20 new municipal and community youth councils were created in 2010 
with the support of the Youth Board of Cyprus. The board64 also signed a memorandum with 
the  Cyprus  Youth  Council  to  cover  expenses  of  young  people  who  participate  in  seminars 
abroad. 

64 

The  Youth  Board  of  Cyprus  is  a  legal  entity  of  public  law  (Semi-Governmental  organisation),  with 
representatives from party youth organisations and members who are appointed directly by the Council 
of Ministers in the Governing Board.  

61 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
                                                 
Following the earthquake of 2009, the Italian Government's ‘Partecipiamo!’ project created 
structures  and  opportunities  for  young  people  in  the  affected  areas  to  help  revitalise  local 
communities.  This  enabled  them  to  be  involved  in  decisions  around  rebuilding  facilities  of 
importance  to  them,  such  as  schools,  leisure  and  sports  centres,  and  other  community 
buildings.  

In  some  countries,  efforts  have  been  made  to  further  recognise  and  support  youth 
representative  organisations.  In  the  United  Kingdom,  the  Westminster  government  and  the 
devolved governments/assemblies in Wales and Scotland provide financial support to NGOs 
which allow young people to be heard by decision-makers, such as the UK Youth Parliament, 
the Scottish Youth Parliament and Funky Dragon in Wales. 

HUNGARY 

Region legion – Youth for the South-East Hungary (DKMT) Euro-region 

The  four  day  meeting  with  the  participation  of  30  young  people  took  place  in  Szeged, 
Hungary.  The  goal  of  the  meeting  was  to  bring  together  young  people  and  decision-makers 
from the DKMT Euro-region to initiate a discussion and a joint action plan on youth issues. 
Young people, who were already experienced in the implementation of youth projects, were 
involved,  many  of  them  being  leaders  of  formal  and  informal  youth  organisations  based  in 
their  home  town.  During  the  meeting  youth  projects,  which  had  been  previously  realised  in 
the  DKMT  region,  were  examined,  then  a  joint  action  plan  was  drawn  up  with  decision-
makers – including the wording of a letter – to draw attention to the potential of young people 
in  the  region.  A  publication  was  edited  as  a  follow-up  summarizing  the  outcomes  of  the 
meeting.  As  a  result  a  network  of  child  and  youth  self-governments  was  established  in  the 
region  that  played  a  significant  role  in  the  re-creation  of  the  National  Council  of  Child  and 
Youth Self-Governments in Hungary. For more information, click here. 

7.2.4.  Promote the greater participation of young people 

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Has the Government of your country - existing or previous - taken concrete measures or 
carried  out  any  specific  policy  initiatives  to  promote  the  participation  of  more  and  a 
greater diversity of young people in representative democracy, in youth organisations and 
other civil-society organisations? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

YES, such measures had already been taken before the EU Youth Strategy came 
into force in January 2010, no additional initiatives were necessary. 

YES, such measures/initiatives were taken after the EU Youth Strategy came into 
force in January 2010. 

■ 

● 

NO, but we plan to take concrete measures in this field in 2012.  ▲ 

NO, we do not have any current plans to carry out measures in this field. 

♦ 

1 

2 

21 

10 

1 

1 

2 

1 

1 

18  

7  

1 

0 

National Youth Reports present several concrete activities to promote wider involvement of 
youth in participation since 2010. In Lithuania, the Ministry of Social Security and Labour 
approved a programme to develop youth volunteering as a means to get more young people 
involved in civic and democratic life. The Swedish Government has allocated funds for youth 
organisations and other civil society organisations to help them improve methods to stimulate 
non-organised young people to become active in the organisations of civil society. 

Some activities focus on specific groups. In Austria, the National Youth Council has set up a 
project  group  on  ‘Intercultural  Opening  of  Youth  Work’  to  establish  a  model  on  how  to 
enable  the  greater  participation  of  young  people  from  migrant  backgrounds  in  youth 

62 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
organisations. The Youth Council in the French Community of Belgium has contacted local 
youth  clubs  which  work  with  young  people  from  difficult  socio-economic  circumstances  in 
order  to  raise  participation  levels  of  young  people  from  all  sectors  of  society.  The  Flemish 
Community  of  Belgium  passed  the  ‘Participation  Act’  which  allowed  financial  support  to 
youth initiatives working with young immigrants and young people living in poverty. 

SWEDEN 

Commitment guides 

The  purpose  of  the  Commitment  guides  is  to  stimulate  people  living  in  areas  with  less 
organised inhabitants, in particular young people and women, and increase their contacts with 
civil  society  organisations  in  different  areas  of  activity.  Support  to  the  Commitment  guides 
has  been  allocated  by  the  National  Board  for  Youth  Affairs  during  2010  with  converted 
€ 1.4 million.  The  number  of  91  applications  received  was  above  expectations.  Of  the  21 
projects  granted,  10  focused  in  particular  on  women/girls.  Dialogue  with  parents  regarding 
attitudes  and  values  has  had  a  great  importance  for  involving  young  women.  The 
Commitment  guides  have  reached  about  6  000  young  people  in  various  ages.  The  National 
Board  for  Youth  Affairs  will  as  a  consequence  of  the  very  good  results  and  big  demand 
continue to support organisations in this field until 2013. For more information, click here. 

7.2.5.  Use of ICT to broaden and deepen participation of young people 

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Has the Government of your country - existing or previous - taken concrete measures or 
carried  out  any  specific  policy  initiatives  to  make  effective  use  of  information  and 
communication technologies to broaden and deepen participation of young people? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

YES, such measures had already been taken before the EU Youth Strategy came 
into force in January 2010, no additional initiatives were necessary. 

YES, such measures/initiatives were taken after the EU Youth Strategy came into 
force in January 2010. 

■ 

● 

NO, but we plan to take concrete measures in this field in 2012.  ▲ 

NO, we do not have any current plans to carry out measures in this field. 

♦ 

2 

2 

1 

1 

1 

19 

9 

3 

2 

16  

6  

2 

2 

A relatively high number of countries report that such initiatives were carried out after 2010. 
One reason for this may be that e-participation still is a concept under development.  

Whilst most countries reported the use of websites to pass information to young people, with 
ministries  either  delivering  websites  themselves  or  supporting  NGOs  to  deliver  youth 
information  websites,  others  mentioned  using  social  networking  sites  to  inform  and  engage 
young people.  

In  view  of  the  fast  evolving  development  in  social  media,  there  are  some  interesting  new 
initiatives.  The  Flemish  Community  of  Belgium  awarded  grants  to  projects  developing 
computer  games  to  help  young  people  to  cope  with  different  challenges  in  life,  and  the 
Government  and  National  Agency  in  Italy  encouraging  the  use  of  internet  radio  to  engage 
with  young  people.  The  Ministry  of  Family,  Seniors,  Women  and  Youth  in  Germany 
initiated  the  ‘Dialogue  Internet’  project,  one  of  the  elements  of  which  is  promoting  e-
participation.  In  Malta,  the  Youth  Agency  created  the  Youth  Information  Malta  website  in 
2011,  as  a  result  of  needs  identified  during  the  consultation  process  for  the  country's  new 

63 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
National Youth Policy. In the United Kingdom, Young Scot65, working in partnership with 
local  authorities  and  the  Scottish  Youth  Parliament,  developed  an  online  platform  to  enable 
young  people  to  vote  electronically  using  Scotland's  youth  smart  card.  In  a  first  round  of 
elections for the Scottish Youth Parliament, over 21 000 votes were cast online. The e-Voting 
platform  has  also  been  used  to  support  a  participatory  budgeting  exercise  in  Shetland,  with 
young people voting using their cards to choose projects to be funded. 

7.2.6. 

Supporting ‘learning to participate’ 

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Has the Government of your country - existing or previous - taken concrete measures or 
carried  out  any  specific  policy  initiatives  to  support  various  forms  of  learning  to 
participate from early age through formal education and non-formal learning? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

YES, such measures had already been taken before the EU Youth Strategy came 
into force in January 2010, no additional initiatives were necessary. 

YES, such measures/initiatives were taken after the EU Youth Strategy came into 
force in January 2010. 

■ 

● 

NO, but we plan to take concrete measures in this field in 2012.  ▲ 

NO, we do not have any current plans to carry out measures in this field. 

♦ 

2 

1 

2 

2 

26 

4 

2 

1 

22  

3  

0 

1 

In this field, most countries mention examples in formal education, as supporting school and 
pupil councils and adding citizenship education into the curricula. There were fewer reported 
examples  from  the  non-formal  sector.  In  Bulgaria,  the  National  Centre  ‘European  Youth 
Programmes  and  Initiatives’  conducts  annual  training  for  young  people,  youth  leaders  and 
NGO representatives, with the aim to deliver greater participation skills. Wales in the United 
Kingdom  supported  the  development  and  dissemination  of  participation  training  packages 
through networks such as the Participation Workers Network and Pupil Voice Wales.  

Some  initiatives  cover  both  formal  and  non-formal  education.  Luxembourg  is  piloting 
education on participation to very young children through school reception classes, as well as 
to  older  children  and  young  people  through  schools  and  non-formal  education  projects.  In 
Finland, the Government's Child and Youth Policy Programme promotes the participation in 
everyday  environments  in  early-years  education,  schools  and  educational  institutions,  and 
youth facilities, and states that youth facilities are there to support the voluntary activities of 
young  people  and  increase  the  level  of  youth  participation  in  the  planning,  implementation 
and evaluation of activities.  

7.2.7.  Developing opportunities to debate with young people 

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Has the Government of your country - existing or previous - taken concrete measures or 
carried  out  any  specific  policy  initiatives  to  further  develop  opportunities  for  debate 
between public institutions and young people? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

YES, such measures had already been taken before the EU Youth Strategy came 
into force in January 2010, no additional initiatives were necessary. 

YES, such measures/initiatives were taken after the EU Youth Strategy came into 
force in January 2010. 

■ 

● 

NO, but we plan to take concrete measures in this field in 2012.  ▲ 

NO, we do not have any current plans to carry out measures in this field. 

♦ 

1 

2 

16 

12 

2 

3 

1 

1 

1 

1 

14  

9  

1 

2 

Examples of concrete activities since 2010 include the involvement of local youth councils in 
evaluating the quality of local opportunities for youth participation in Finland, as part of the 

65 

The national youth information and citizenship agency for Scotland. 

64 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
                                                 
national evaluation of basic services, and the ‘Participation Café’ project in Estonia in 2011 
which brought together decision-makers and young people to discuss various topics affecting 
young  people's  participation,  such  as  the  right  to  vote  at  age  16,  youth  unemployment,  and 
other important issues. 

Some  Member  States  link  dialogue  to  long-term,  strategic  development.  The  new  Austrian 
Youth  Strategy  will  create  new  opportunities  for  dialogue  between  decision-makers  and 
young people, and the Flemish Community of Belgium is planning a Youth Pact 2020 which 
will  be  the  culmination  of  a  large-scale  debate  between  decision-makers  and  young  people 
about making the Flemish Community of Belgium a place where young people like to live in 
2020. 

SLOVENIA 

Council of the Government for Youth 

This  inter-ministerial  working  group  (Svet  vlade  Republike  Slovenije  za  mladino)  was 
established in 2009. The Council is a consultative body that proposes measures and monitors 
the consideration of youth interests in various public policies at the national level. It gives the 
Government  and  the  responsible  ministries  incentives  and  suggestions  for  the  regulation  of 
youth  matters  and  promotes  youth  participation  in  these  processes.  The  Council  which 
comprises representatives of youth organisations and various ministries on an equal basis is 
chaired by the Minister of Education and Sport. For more information, click here. 

7.3. 

Youth-led initiatives and action 

Youth organisations and the European Youth Forum (YFJ) have been actively engaged in the 
implementation of the Structured Dialogue (see Chapter 10) and undertook their own efforts 
to foster the capacity of youth organisations to take part in decision-making processes. 

Since  2010  the  YFJ  actively  advocated  lowering  the  voting  age  to  16  across  Europe,  and 
organised several meetings to further explore and raise awareness on the topic. This campaign 
led  to  the  organisation  of  the  European  Parliament  Roundtable  on  expanding  democracy  in 
Europe in December 2011 and enabled a discussion on this topic in an institutional forum. 

Better youth participation at local level is promoted through the European Youth Capitals, a 
title awarded to a city for one year, during which it can showcase its youth-related cultural, 
social, political and economic life and development. It is chosen by the YFJ based on a jury 
selection process. 

The YFJ commissioned a study ‘The Impact of the New Provisions of the Treaty of Lisbon on 
Youth’,  conducted  by  Prof.  Ponzano,  which  reported  on  opportunities  and  limits  in  the 
application of article 165 TFEU.  

65 

 
 
 
 
Table 7-A: Overview of responses contained in National Youth Reports – Youth Participation 

Has the Government of your country - existing or previous - taken concrete measures or carried out any specific policy initiatives 

EU Member States 

to develop 
mechanisms for 
dialogue with 
youth and 
youth 
participation on 
national youth 
policies? 

to encourage use of 
already existing, or 
development of, guidelines 
on youth participation, 
information and 
consultation in order to 
ensure the quality of these 
activities? 

to support politically and 
financially youth 
organisations, as well as 
local and national youth 
councils and promote 
recognition of their 
important role in 
democracy? 

to promote the 
participation of more youth 
and a greater diversity of 
young people in 
representative democracy, 
in youth organisations and 
other civil-society 
organisations? 

■ 

■ 

■ 

●
●
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
●
■
■
●
■
■
■
■
■
■
■

■
■
●
■

● 

● 

■ 

●
■
■
■
■
■
●
■
●
■
■
■
■
●
●
●
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
▲
●
■

■
■
●
♦

Belgium 
German-speaking 

Belgium 
Flemish 

Belgium 
French 

Bulgaria 

Czech Republic 

Denmark 

Germany 

Estonia 

Ireland 

Greece 

Spain 

France 

Italy 

Cyprus 

Latvia 

Lithuania 

Luxembourg 

Hungary 

Malta 

Netherlands 

Austria 

Poland 

Portugal 

Romania 

Slovenia 

Slovakia 

Finland 

Sweden 

United Kingdom 

Non-EU Members 

Norway 

Switzerland 

Montenegro 

● 

● 

■ 

●
■
●
●
■
■
●
■
●
●
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
●
■
●
■
■
■
■
■

▲ 

● 

■ 

●
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
●
●
■
●
●
■
■
■
■
■
●
■
■
■
■
■
■
■

■
■
■
■

■
■
●
■

Croatia 
■ Yes, before the EU Youth Strategy came into force in January 2010 
● Yes, after the EU Youth Strategy came into force in January 2010 
▲ No, but plans 2012 

♦ No, without plans 

66 

 
 
 
 
 
Has the Government of your country - existing or previous - taken concrete measures or carried out any specific policy initiatives 

to make effective use of 
information and communication 
technologies to broaden and 
deepen participation of young 
people? 

to support various forms of 
learning to participate from 
early age through formal 
education and non-formal 
learning? 

to further develop 
opportunities for debate 
between public institutions 
and young people? 

EU Member States 

Belgium 
German-speaking 

Belgium 
Flemish 

Belgium 
French 

Bulgaria 

Czech Republic 

Denmark 

Germany 

Estonia 

Ireland 

Greece 

Spain 

France 

Italy 

Cyprus 

Latvia 

Lithuania 

Luxembourg 

Hungary 

Malta 

Netherlands 

Austria 

Poland 

Portugal 

Romania 

Slovenia 

Slovakia 

Finland 

Sweden 

United Kingdom 

Non-EU Members 

Norway 

Switzerland 

Montenegro 

● 

▲ 

■ 

●
■
■
●
■
■
■
■
●
●
■
▲
■
■
●
●
■
■
♦
▲
■
■
■
■
♦
■

■
●
●
■

Croatia 
■ Yes, before the EU Youth Strategy came into force in January 2010 
● Yes, after the EU Youth Strategy came into force in January 2010 
▲ No, but plans 2012 

♦ No, without plans 

67 

● 

■ 

■ 

●
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
♦
■
●
●
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■

■
▲
■
▲

● 

● 

■ 

●
■
■
●
●
■
●
■
♦
●
■
▲
■
●
■
●
■
●
●
■
■
■
■
■
♦
■

■
♦
●
▲

 
 
 
 
 
 
8. 

VOLUNTARY ACTIVITIES 

8.1. 

Commission initiatives and action  

A Council Recommendation on the mobility of young volunteers across the EU66, adopted in 
2008, remains highly relevant when outlining EU initiatives during the first cycle of the EU 
Youth  Strategy.  It  aimed  to  create  more  cross-border  volunteering  opportunities  for  young 
people  through  cooperation  between  organisers  of  voluntary  activities,  complementing  the 
European Voluntary Service (EVS). It recommends Member States to develop opportunities 
for  cross-border  volunteering,  raise  awareness  and  assure  its  quality,  recognise  learning 
outcomes and promote mobility of youth workers and young leaders while giving particular 
attention to young people with fewer opportunities.  

The expert group established in 2009 to facilitate the implementation of the Recommendation, 
continued  to  meet  in  order  to  identify  ways  and  means  of  cooperation  and  learn  from  each 
other  through  the  exchange  of  information  and  best  practices.  Among  the  group's 
achievements  are  a  multilateral  cross-border  volunteering  project,  a  mapping  of  good 
practices, a conference on cross-border volunteering in central Europe organised by the Czech 
Republic,  and  a  high-level  seminar  led  by  Germany.  The  active  involvement  of  Member 
States experts has contributed to a deeper understanding of volunteering. 

The EVS, one of the main components of the Youth in Action programme, facilitates every 
year  around  7  000  young  people  between  18  and  30  to  work  as  a  volunteer  abroad.  The 
programme  also  includes  measures  to  support  youth  workers  and  youth  organisations  to 
improve the quality of their activities, also in the field of volunteering. 

Two  European  Years  help  raise  awareness  for  youth  volunteering:  the  European  Year  of 
Voluntary  Activities  Promoting  Active  Citizenship  2011  and  the  European  Year  2012  for 
Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations. While the first one gave visibility to the 
work  of  many  youth  volunteers  and  drew  attention  to  its  value  both  for  society  and  the 
individuals, the current Year highlights, among others, intergenerational volunteering. 

MALTA – YOUTH IN ACTION PROGRAMME 

Disability is no bar to helping others 

An  Italian  volunteer  spent  three  months  in  Malta  with  the  NGO  Razett  tal-Hibberija,  which  helps 
children and adults with learning and physical disabilities to develop their potential. It offers an array 
of therapeutic, educational and leisure services to them, free of charge. The NGO initially hesitated, 
because the young Italian himself has suffered from a physical disability since birth. Working with a 
foreign volunteer who has a disability was a new concept for the centre's staff and volunteers. But the 
experience  proved  valuable  to  everyone.  Through  his  responsibilities  in  the  park,  the  volunteer 
overcame  his  physical  barriers  and  strengthened  his  self-confidence  and  independence.  Through  his 
volunteering  experience  he  impressed  himself  and  inspired  people  around  him,  and  proved  to  be  an 
invaluable learning activity supplementing his university studies. 

66 

OJ C 319, 13.12.2008, pp. 8-10. 

68 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
8.2. 

Summary of initiatives and action at national level 

8.2.1.  Opportunities for and awareness about mobility of young volunteers 

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Has the Government of your country - existing or previous - taken concrete measures or 
carried  out  any  specific  policy  initiatives  to  create  more  opportunities  for  mobility  of 
young volunteers? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

YES, such measures had already been taken before the EU Youth Strategy came 
into force in January 2010, no additional initiatives were necessary. 

YES, such measures/initiatives were taken after the EU Youth Strategy came into 
force in January 2010. 

■ 

● 

NO, but we plan to take concrete measures in this field in 2012.  ▲ 

NO, we do not have any current plans to carry out measures in this field. 

♦ 

2 

1 

19 

8 

2 

4 

2 

1 

1 

15  

6  

2 

3 

Has the Government of your country - existing or previous - taken concrete measures or 
carried  out  any  specific  policy  initiatives  to  raise  awareness  about  opportunities  for 
mobility of young volunteers? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

YES, such measures had already been taken before the EU Youth Strategy came 
into force in January 2010, no additional initiatives were necessary. 

YES, such measures/initiatives were taken after the EU Youth Strategy came into 
force in January 2010. 

■ 

● 

18 

11 

1 

2 

2 

NO, but we plan to take concrete measures in this field in 2012.  ▲ 

0 

15  

9  

0 

Many  Member  States  quote  the  Youth  in  Action  programme,  particularly  the  EVS  as  an 
important,  if  not  the  main  source  for  youth  volunteering  in  another  European  country.  In 
addition,  a  number  of  countries  conduct  bi-lateral  or  multi-lateral  exchange  programmes. 
Germany  has  several  international  agreements  in  the  youth  exchanges,  and  especially 
agreements  with  France  and  Israel  are  used as  basis  for  pilot  projects  on  cross-border 
volunteering. Spain and Portugal signed a protocol of cooperation in the youth field, which 
encourages the mobility of young people between both countries. Italy and Montenegro have 
an active youth exchange. The Polish-Lithuanian Youth Exchange Fund provides support for 
young people's engagement in activities across the border. Denmark refers to volunteering as 
part of different Nordic programmes.  

France  and  Luxembourg  launched  new  voluntary  services,  the  service  civique,  which  are 
open to young people from other European countries. Conversely, Italy's civic service allows 
young people to volunteer in another country. The Czech Republic launched a pilot call for 
innovative  projects  promoting  cross-border volunteering. Poland  focused  on  youth  mobility 
in Eastern Europe and the Caucasus countries.  

A  number  of  Member  States  pursue  strategic  approaches  to  promoting  youth  volunteering. 
Austria, Lithuania, Romania and Slovenia, for example, prepared volunteering laws, as did 
Croatia.  In  Bulgaria  volunteering  is  one  of  the  main  strategic  goals  of  the  National  Youth 
Strategy  and  also  Hungary  promotes  volunteering  through  its  youth  strategy.  Spain  and 
Greece,  for  example,  have  specific  Volunteer  Strategies.  The  Czech  Republic  adopted  an 
Action Plan, which promotes a youth dimension in all forms of voluntary activities as well as 
cross-border  volunteering.  Germany 
for  cross-border 
volunteering,  such  as  a  new  format  of  the  international  youth  voluntary  services.  Many 
countries also refer to the expert group on the Mobility of Young Volunteers as an important 
forum to advance the implementation of the Recommendation.  

initiated  new  opportunities 

69 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
In terms of awareness raising for volunteering, many Member States referred to the value of 
the  European  Year  of  Volunteering  2011.  Some  refer  to  Eurodesk  and  its  network  as  an 
important  provider  of  information  about  volunteering.  France  has  a  Youth  Portal  with  a 
specific ‘International Mobility’ section and young people share related information via social 
media  such  as  Facebook  and  Twitter.  In  the  United  Kingdom  the  ‘Volunteer  Scotland’ 
website  offers  numerous  volunteering  opportunities  from  small  local  to  large  scale 
international  volunteering.  Bulgaria,  Estonia  and  Spain  reach  out  to  formal-learning 
institutions,  such  as  schools  or  universities,  to  promote  volunteering.  Italy  organised  a 
promotional truck tour. 

8.2.2.  Quality assurance 

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Has the Government of your country - existing or previous - taken concrete measures or 
carried  out  any  specific  policy  initiatives  to  assure  quality  through  the  development  of 
self-assessment tools? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

YES, such measures had already been taken before the EU Youth Strategy came 
into force in January 2010, no additional initiatives were necessary. 

YES, such measures/initiatives were taken after the EU Youth Strategy came into 
force in January 2010. 

■ 

● 

NO, but we plan to take concrete measures in this field in 2012.  ▲ 

NO, we do not have any current plans to carry out measures in this field. 

♦ 

13 

2 

7 

4 

9 

1 

2 

1 

1 

9  

6  

4 

7 

The  ‘Youthpass  Certificate’  from  the  Youth  in  Action  programme  is  mentioned  by  some 
Member  States  as  a  tool  in  this  context  and  a  valuable  starting  point  for  further  initiatives. 
Measures  for  quality  assurance  by  self-assessment  are  generally  closely  intertwined  with 
efforts regarding recognition of non-formal learning. 

By way of example, in Sweden, where voluntary activities are primarily organised by civil 
society organisations, several self-assessment tools are in use, such as the ‘Experience, 
Learning, Development – ELD’ assessment tool, developed by the Centre for International 
Exchanges. Finland also reports considerations for developing criteria and tools for self-
assessment. Germany is preparing to take concrete measures having provided central units 
for quality management in the International Youth Volunteering Programme. 

8.2.3.  Promoting cross-border mobility of youth workers and young volunteers 

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Has the Government of your country - existing or previous - taken concrete measures or 
carried  out  any  specific  policy  initiatives  to  promote  cross-border  mobility  of  youth 
workers and young people in youth organisations? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

YES, such measures had already been taken before the EU Youth Strategy came 
into force in January 2010, no additional initiatives were necessary. 

YES, such measures/initiatives were taken after the EU Youth Strategy came into 
force in January 2010. 

■ 

● 

NO, but we plan to take concrete measures in this field in 2012.  ▲ 

NO, we do not have any current plans to carry out measures in this field. 

♦ 

2 

1 

20 

9 

1 

3 

1 

2 

1 

17  

6  

1 

2 

Several  Member  States  cite  how  the  Youth  in  Action  programme,  the  main  programme  for 
mobility at EU level in this field, contributes to mobility in a concrete way. For example, in 
Slovenia the Youth in Action programme has prompted several pilot youth worker exchange 
projects.  In  addition,  it  developed  youth  worker  exchange  programmes  in  cooperation  with 
partners from Finland. 

70 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
In  addition  to  the  Youth  in  Action  programme,  there  are  nationally  driven  initiatives 
promoting  exchanges  between  youth  workers.  The  French  Community  of  Belgium  has  a 
youth  worker  exchange  with  France  and  Switzerland.  Its  ‘Tremplins  Jeunes’  programme 
offers  internships  in  youth  organisations.  France  encourages  the  mobility  of  youth  workers 
through the law on the civic service.  

71 

 
 
 
 
8.2.4.  Particular attention to young people with fewer opportunities 

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Has the Government of your country - existing or previous - taken concrete measures or 
carried  out  any  specific  policy  initiatives  to  give  particular  attention  in  this  context  to 
young people with fewer opportunities? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

YES, such measures had already been taken before the EU Youth Strategy came 
into force in January 2010, no additional initiatives were necessary. 

YES, such measures/initiatives were taken after the EU Youth Strategy came into 
force in January 2010. 

■ 

● 

NO, but we plan to take concrete measures in this field in 2012.  ▲ 

NO, we do not have any current plans to carry out measures in this field. 

♦ 

19 

10 

1 

3 

1 

2 

2 

2 

16  

6  

1 

3 

In  a  number  of  countries,  prevention  of  exclusion  is  part  of  broader  youth  strategies  and 
funding schemes, also covering volunteering. 

Slovenia's  Volunteering  Act  stipulates  specific  attention  to  young  people  with  fewer 
opportunities.  Hungary  made  inclusion  a  priority  of  its  volunteering  programmes.  In  Italy, 
the  EuroGames  2010  project,  which  focused  on  capacity  building  for  volunteering  and 
sustainable development, actively reached out to young people with fewer opportunities. 

Finland stresses the importance of creating local working models and basic structures in the 
field of volunteering.  

8.2.5.  Promoting the recognition of skills acquired through voluntary activities 

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Has the Government of your country - existing or previous - taken concrete measures or 
carried  out  any  specific  policy  initiatives  to  promote  the  recognition  of  skills  acquired 
through  voluntary  activities  through  instruments  such  as  Europass,  Youthpass  and 
Member State instruments?  

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

YES, such measures had already been taken before the EU Youth Strategy came 
into force in January 2010, no additional initiatives were necessary. 

YES, such measures/initiatives were taken after the EU Youth Strategy came into 
force in January 2010. 

■ 

● 

NO, but we plan to take concrete measures in this field in 2012.  ▲ 

NO, we do not have any current plans to carry out measures in this field. 

♦ 

1 

2 

19 

6 

5 

3 

2 

1 

1 

16  

3  

5 

2 

Member States actively undertake efforts ensuring that the value of volunteering experiences 
is duly recognised. Portugal grants all young people who participated in voluntary activities a 
certificate, Austria developed a Volunteer Pass and the Czech Republic created a Personal 
Competence  Portfolio  (‘Keys  for  Life’  project).  Youth  Portfolio  is  a  self-assessment  tool 
available in Luxembourg. Youthpass gets mentioned as the primary means of recognition by 
the Member States and Bulgaria based its national document on the Youthpass.  

A  number  of  Member  States  are  focusing  on  outreach  to  the  labour  market  to  have 
experiences gained through volunteering recognised by employers. Denmark states that the 
skills  required  through  volunteering  are  highly  recognised  on  the  labour  market.  Hungary 
inserted the need to develop a validation system, in particular in view of future employment 
of young volunteers, into its National Youth Strategy. The Slovak KOMPrax network for the 
recognition  of  youth  work  is  preparing  a  database  which  intends  to  function  as  an 
‘achievements platform’ also accessible to employers. In the French Community of Belgium 
the Scouts raised awareness of volunteering outcomes in enterprises. Latvia aims at making 
Youthpass better known in the entrepreneurial world.  

72 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
Social recognition, such as the ‘Volunteer of the Year’ in Slovenia or the ‘saltire Award’ in 
the  United  Kingdom  are  appreciated  by  volunteers.  In  Germany,  former  EVS  volunteers 
promote  through  the  EuroPeers  programme  volunteering  in  schools,  youth  clubs,  and 
pedestrian zones but also in local and regional media. 

8.2.6.  Promoting intergenerational solidarity through voluntary activities 

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Has the Government of your country - existing or previous - taken concrete measures or 
carried out any specific policy initiatives to promote intergenerational solidarity through 
voluntary activities? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

YES, such measures had already been taken before the EU Youth Strategy came 
into force in January 2010, no additional initiatives were necessary. 

YES, such measures/initiatives were taken after the EU Youth Strategy came into 
force in January 2010. 

■ 

● 

NO, but we plan to take concrete measures in this field in 2012.  ▲ 

NO, we do not have any current plans to carry out measures in this field. 

♦ 

1 

1 

1 

14 

6 

8 

5 

1 

1 

1 

1 

12  

4  

6 

4 

Many  Member  States  declare  that  the  European  Year  for  Active  Ageing  and  Solidarity 
between Generations 2012 enhances their intergenerational activities, including volunteering. 
Lithuania aims at promoting volunteering under the European Year 2012.  

There  are  a  number  of  examples  of  youth  organisations'  involvement  in  projects  around 
intergenerational solidarity. Slovenia reports on youth organisations participating in the ESF 
network for  intergenerational solidarity. Estonia encourages joint  voluntary activities of  the 
young  and  the  elder  generation,  especially  at  the  local  level.  Also  the  Czech  Republic 
supports joint volunteering at local level through projects such as ‘Volunteering - A Way to 
Development  of  Local  Communities’  by  Hestia,  the  national  volunteering  centre,  and 
‘Between Generations – Active and Together’ by the Network of Healthy Cities. In Ireland 
the  National  Youth  Council  cooperates  with  the  organisation  Age  Action,  in  Denmark,  the 
National  Youth  Council  works  regularly  with  organisations  of  the  elderly,  Germany  and 
Spain  promote  intergenerational  housing  and  Slovakia  involves  all  generations  in  a  project 
on road safety.  

An example of a volunteering project whereby young people help elderly people can be found 
in Portugal, where the young run errands for and keep the elderly company in the framework 
of the project ‘Recados e Companhia’. Other fields of intergenerational volunteering are, for 
example,  culture  (Austria:  music;  Malta:  theatre),  social  care  (Portuguese  voluntary 
programmes with the Institute of Social Security), environment (Cyprus: recycling; Estonia: 
garbage cleaning) and IT skills (Denmark: computer literacy and use of cell-phones). 

BULGARIA 

National volunteering campaign 

In  connection  with  the  celebration  of  the  European  youth  week  in  2011  and  the  European 
Year of Volunteering, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Science co-organised a National 
volunteering campaign. The main idea was to convince all of us, that together we can change 
the  world  to  the  better.  This  campaign  started  on  Facebook  21  April  and  finished 
31 December  2011.  It  targeted  young  Bulgarian  people  to  generate  ideas  and  to  exchange 
them using the social network as well as to exchange practices in the sphere of volunteering. 
The Facebook application ‘The Change Starts with You’ had for each of the nine messages 
separate  webpages  (e.g.  Help  elderly  people!  Accept  the  different!  Don't  be  aggressive!). 

73 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Users could there publish photos and descriptions of the initiatives realized in connection with 
the relevant ideas. For more information, click here or here. 

8.3. 

Youth-led initiatives and action 

Preparing for the 2011 European Year of Voluntary Activities Promoting Active Citizenship, 
the  European  Youth  Forum  (YFJ)  was  represented  in  the  ‘European  Year  of  Volunteering 
2011 Alliance’, an informal grouping of 39 European networks of Civil Society Organisations 
active in volunteering, working together on the advocacy for and promotion, preparation and 
implementation of the European Year of Volunteering. 

The YFJ organised the II Youth Convention on Volunteering, the biggest civil society event 
of  the  European  Year  on  Volunteering.  Hosted  by  the  European  Parliament,  it  provided  a 
space  for  young  volunteers  and  youth  organisations  to  work  together,  to  discuss  with 
European decision-makers and celebrate young people's commitment throughout Europe. The 
convention  included  a  range  of  activities,  from  policy-debates,  exchanges  of  practices, 
meetings of young European and Chinese volunteers to public concerts. This gave visibility to 
volunteering in youth work, showcased the impact of youth organisations, and provided youth 
organisations with a space to exchange and to learn from best practices. 

The YFJ also called for the adoption of a European Charter on the Rights and Responsibilities 
of Volunteers. This Charter was developed in an open discussion with stakeholders, and based 
on the collection,  analyses and interpretation of  existing studies, surveys  and  statistical  data 
on the legal status of volunteers and volunteering organisations. 

74 

 
 
 
 
Table 8-A: Overview of responses contained in National Youth Reports – Voluntary Activities 

Has the Government of your country - existing or previous - taken concrete measures or carried out any specific policy initiatives  

EU Member 
States 

to create more 
opportunities for mobility 
of young volunteers? 

to raise awareness 
about opportunities for 
mobility of young 
volunteers? 

to assure quality through 
the development of self-
assessment tools? 

to promote cross-border 
mobility of youth 
workers and young 
people in youth 
organisations? 

♦ 

■ 

■ 

●
●
■
▲
●
■
▲
♦
♦
■
♦
●
♦
●
▲
■
■
●
♦
■
▲
■
♦
♦
■
■

♦
■
●
■

● 

■ 

■ 

●
●
■
■
■
■
▲
■
●
■
■
♦
♦
■
■
■
■
●
■
■
■
●
●
■
■
■

■
♦
●
●

Belgium 
German-speaking 

Belgium 
Flemish 

Belgium 
French 

Bulgaria 

Czech Republic 

Denmark 

Germany 

Estonia 

Ireland 

Greece 

Spain 

France 

Italy 

Cyprus 

Latvia 

Lithuania 

Luxembourg 

Hungary 

Malta 

Netherlands 

Austria 

Poland 

Portugal 

Romania 

Slovenia 

Slovakia 

Finland 

Sweden 

United Kingdom 

Non-EU Members 

Norway 

Switzerland 

Montenegro 

● 

■ 

■ 

●
●
■
■
■
■
▲
■
●
■
■
♦
♦
●
■
■
■
●
●
■
■
▲
■
♦
■
■

● 

● 

■ 

●
●
♦
■
■
■
●
■
●
■
■
●
♦
●
■
■
■
●
●
■
●
■
■
♦
■
■

♦
■
●
■

♦
■
■
■

75 

Croatia 
■ Yes, before the EU Youth Strategy came into force in January 2010 
● Yes, after the EU Youth Strategy came into force in January 2010 
▲ No, but plans 2012 

♦ No, without plans 

 
 
 
 
 
Has the Government of your country - existing or previous - taken concrete measures or carried out any specific policy initiatives 

EU Member States 

to give particular attention in 
this context to young people 
with fewer opportunities? 

to promote the recognition of 
skills acquired through voluntary 
activities through instruments 
such as Europass, Youthpass 
and Member State instruments? 

to promote intergenerational 
solidarity through voluntary 
activities? 

● 

● 

■ 

●
●
■
■
■
♦
▲
■
♦
■
■
■
■
●
■
■
■
■
▲
■
▲
▲
▲
■
■
■

♦
■
●
■

● 

▲ 

■ 

●
▲
■
■
■
■
▲
■
♦
●
■
▲
▲
♦
▲
●
■
■
▲
■
■
●
■
♦
♦
■

♦
▲
●
■

Belgium 
German-speaking 

Belgium 
Flemish 

Belgium 
French 

Bulgaria 

Czech Republic 

Denmark 

Germany 

Estonia 

Ireland 

Greece 

Spain 

France 

Italy 

Cyprus 

Latvia 

Lithuania 

Luxembourg 

Hungary 

Malta 

Netherlands 

Austria 

Poland 

Portugal 

Romania 

Slovenia 

Slovakia 

Finland 

Sweden 

United Kingdom 

Non-EU Members 

Norway 

Switzerland 

Montenegro 

● 

● 

■ 

●
●
♦
■
■
■
▲
■
●
■
■
●
♦
■
●
■
■
■
■
■
■
●
■
♦
■
■

■
■
●
●

Croatia 
■ Yes, before the EU Youth Strategy came into force in January 2010 
● Yes, after the EU Youth Strategy came into force in January 2010 
▲ No, but plans 2012 

♦ No, without plans 

76 

 
 
 
 
 
 
9. 

CULTURE AND CREATIVITY 

9.1. 

Commission initiatives and action  

Member States and the Commission are working together to increase opportunities for young 
people to experience culture and develop their talent and creative skills. This includes making 
new  technologies  available  to  empower  young  people's  creativity,  promoting  specialised 
training  in  culture,  new  media  and  intercultural  competences  for  youth  workers,  and 
encouraging  partnerships  between  culture  and  creative  sectors  on  the  one  hand  and  youth 
organisations or workers on the other. 

Under  the  European  Agenda  for  Culture67,  some  initiatives  directly  address  youth  creativity 
and culture. The Council adopted Conclusions on promoting a creative generation in 200968 
and Conclusions on cultural and creative competences and their role in building intellectual 
capital of Europe in 201169. Promoting accessible and inclusive culture is among the priorities 
of the Work Plan for Culture 2011-2014 adopted by the Council in 201070.  

Under the EU Youth Strategy, a study on youth access to culture in Europe71, released mid-
2010,  highlights  good  practices.  It  also  includes  proposals  for  helping  European  institutions 
and  Member  States  overcome  common  obstacles  such  as  cost  and  distance  and  improve 
access of all young people to all forms of creative and cultural activity. Council Conclusions 
on  access  of  young  people  to  culture  adopted  in  November  201072  underlined  the  need  to 
promote  the  development  of  long-term  coordinated  policies  for  access  of  young  people  to 
culture on all levels and to deepen knowledge and exchange of experiences on the subject. 

The Council also adopted Conclusions in May 2012 on fostering the creative and innovative 
potential  of  young  people73,  where  it  invited  Member  States  to  support  young  people's 
creativity  through  non-formal  and  informal  learning  activities.  The  Conclusions  foresee  the 
setting up of a peer-learning expert group on this theme. 

67 
68 
69 
70 
71 
72 
73 

More on the European Agenda for Culture on the specific Commission website. 

OJ C 301, 11.12.2009, pp. 9-11. 

OJ C 372, 20.12.2011, pp. 19-23. 

OJ C 325, 2.12.2010, pp. 1-9. 

EACEA, 2008. Access of young people to culture. Brussels: EACEA. Available here. 

OJ C 326, 3.12.2010, pp. 2-3. 
OJ C 169, 15.6.2012, pp. 1-4. 

77 

 
 
 
 
                                                 
HUNGARY, ROMANIA, TURKEY – YOUTH IN ACTION PROGRAMME 

Branch of olive 

The  project  created  a  multicultural  and  multi-religious  atmosphere  by  bringing  together  20 
young  people  belonging  to  Christianity,  Judaism  and  Islam  from  Hungary,  Romania  and 
Turkey for 10 days in Antalya, Turkey in 2011. The project focused on intercultural learning, 
and each group planned its own activities for a designated culture day, at which it introduced 
its culture and religion. All participants were also involved in workshops on diverse activities 
such as Ashura, painting Easter eggs, the Shabbat ritual, or henna night, effectively removing 
prejudices among the participants. A kite workshop involved group work and the kites were 
flown  together  in  a  spirit  of  brotherhood  and  freedom.  A  visit  to  the  ‘Garden  of  tolerance’, 
where a mosque, a church and a synagogue stand alongside one another, helped to reinforce 
the sense of co-existence, and each group had a chance to introduce its own rituals. An imam 
read extracts from the Quran and explained the meaning in English, answering questions from 
participants.  Participants  learnt  about  each  other's  religions  and  cultures,  improved  mutual 
understanding, and broke down stereotypes and prejudices. 

9.2. 

Summary of initiatives and action at national level 

9.2.1.  Following up the Council Conclusions on promoting a creative generation  

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Has the Government of your country - existing or previous - taken concrete measures or 
carried out any specific policy initiatives to support the development of creativity among 
young  people  by  following  up  the  Council  conclusions  on  promoting  a  creative 
generation:  developing  the  creativity  and  innovative  capacity  of  children  and  young 
people through cultural expression and wider access to culture? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

YES, such measures had already been taken before the EU Youth Strategy came 
into force in January 2010, no additional initiatives were necessary. 

YES, such measures/initiatives were taken after the EU Youth Strategy came into 
force in January 2010. 

■ 

● 

NO, but we plan to take concrete measures in this field in 2012  ▲ 

NO, we do not have any current plans to carry out measures in this field. 

♦ 

1 

2 

23 

8 

0 

2 

1 

1 

2 

21  

5  

0 

0 

Many  countries  mention  specific  projects  aiming  at  promoting  youth  access  to  culture  and 
cultural expression: the French Community of Belgium, Denmark, Germany, and Spain all 
have  awards  to  stimulate  and  highlight  youth  creativity  while  Estonia  and  Italy  mention 
student cards which promote access to culture. Luxembourg offers free access to museums 
for young people, Malta has a specific culture card, Portugal reports having a youth creative 
programme, Sweden has the Creative Schools initiative and the United Kingdom promotes 
the Welsh Young Creators' strategy. 

Some  countries  also  present  broader  programmes  or  strategies  for  youth  cultural  education 
(Ireland,  France,  Lithuania,  Poland  and  Slovenia)  sometimes  involving  cooperation 
between Ministries of Culture and Ministries of Education/Youth. 

78 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
ITALY  

Io Studio – enable students to participate in culture 

The  project  aims  at  establishing  a  public-private  institutional  network  that  can  provide 
students  with  easier  access  to  a  variety  of  goods  and  services  in  the  fields  of  cultural  and 
natural heritage, ICT, travel, and sports. Introduction of students to various forms of cultural 
education outside school perimeter is the main objective. The project enables them to actively 
participate in the cultural realities of their territory, as well as nationally and internationally. 

The  established  partnerships  involve  students  in  projects,  which  seek  to  stimulate  their 
creativity by making them the protagonists of the creative and training processes as well as to 
encourage direct contact with the business world and cultural production circuits. 

In the framework of this project a Student Card and a Student Portal website were developed. 

9.2.2.  Making new technologies readily available to young people 

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Has the Government of your country - existing or previous - taken concrete measures or 
carried out any specific policy initiatives to make new technologies readily available to 
empower  young  people's  creativity  and  capacity  for  innovation,  and  attract  interest  in 
culture, the arts and science? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

YES, such measures had already been taken before the EU Youth Strategy came 
into force in January 2010, no additional initiatives were necessary. 

YES, such measures/initiatives were taken after the EU Youth Strategy came into 
force in January 2010. 

■ 

● 

NO, but we plan to take concrete measures in this field in 2012.  ▲ 

NO, we do not have any current plans to carry out measures in this field. 

♦ 

22 

8 

2 

1 

3 

2 

1 

1 

20  

4  

2 

0 

Some  countries  mention  support  of  specific  projects  to  make  new  technologies  available  to 
young people.  

Sweden underlines the role of schools to stimulate youth creativity and mentions support to 
the use of ICT in teaching, while France stresses the role that cultural institutions may have 
in this regard and the need to raise their awareness.  

Support  of  young  people  to  achieve  media  literacy  is  indicated  as  an  element  of  national 
strategies for youth by Belgium, Italy, Austria, and Slovenia. 

BELGIUM – FLEMISH COMMUNITY 

Nugames 

This  project  is  an  initiative  of  the  Flemish  Youth  Support  Centre  in  cooperation  with  other 
youth  organisations  funded  by  the  Government  of  the  Flemish  Community  of  Belgium. 
Nugames  are  recreational  activities that use technology and digital media  being at  the same 
time  linked  to  the  surrounding  physical  space  too.  They  are  intended  for  group  play.  The 
activities are freely accessible and can be modified and spread widely. Nugames are modular, 
which makes them easy to adapt to different contexts. The use of Nugames and other digital 
technology can make youth work more attractive to young people and furthermore help bridge 

79 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
the digital divide. New forms of play will lead to new creative forms of expression for young 
people. For more information, click here or here. 

Estonia and Malta stress that they set up schemes to highlight creative industries' activities 
that target young people. 

9.2.3.  Providing access to environments in which young people can develop their creativity 

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Has the Government of your country - existing or previous - taken concrete measures or 
carried out any specific policy initiatives to provide access to environments where young 
people can develop their creativity and interests and spend a meaningful leisure time? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

YES, such measures had already been taken before the EU Youth Strategy came 
into force in January 2010, no additional initiatives were necessary. 

YES, such measures/initiatives were taken after the EU Youth Strategy came into 
force in January 2010. 

■ 

● 

NO, but we plan to take concrete measures in this field in 2012.  ▲ 

NO, we do not have any current plans to carry out measures in this field. 

♦ 

26 

7 

0 

0 

1 

2 

3 

1 

22  

4  

0 

0 

Free access to museums for young people (Luxembourg) or specific cards providing easier 
access to cultural products or facilities (Italy, Malta and Austria) are presented as measures 
to promote young people's creativity. 

ITALY 

Osthello 

Since  2010  the  Government  promoted  and  funded  with  more  than  €  3  million  ‘Osthello’,  a 
pilot project carried out in collaboration with the Italian Association of Youth Hotels (AIG) 
intending  to  develop  youth  mobility  and  youth  creativity.  It  consists  of  using  hostels  for 
young people all over the country which have been provided and equipped with appropriate 
spaces  for  artistic  production  such  as  recording  studios,  photographic  laboratories,  cinema 
sets, and theatre and multimedia laboratories. The pilot initiative is carried out in eight youth 
hotels  and  deal  on  five  artistic  subjects.  This  chance  for  young  artists  to  produce  free  of 
charge and to meet important artists and teachers of various fields at relevant seminars could 
become  even  more  proactive  by  creating  a  network  of  events,  exhibitions  and  multimedia 
tools set up across the territory. For more information, click here. 

The role of youth/leisure time centres in providing creative environments for young people is 
particularly pointed out in the reports from the German-speaking Community of Belgium, the 
Czech Republic, Cyprus, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Slovenia, and Finland.  

SPAIN 

Youth Creating Spaces – places to develop a creative spirit 

The  Spanish  Institute  for  Youth  (INJUVE),  from  2005  to  2009,  has  promoted  the  young 
artistic  creation  in  collaboration  with  various  local  authorities,  through  the  construction  and 
rehabilitation of buildings to house Youth Creating Spaces. A Youth Creating Space is a place 
for  sharing  knowledge,  meeting  and  learning,  where  young  people  can  develop  a  creative 
spirit with means that are usually difficult to get. It is a network of ‘own spaces’ for young 
people with whom they can identify and turn it into a personal project. The versatile spaces 

80 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
are eligible for rehearsal, performance, assembly, and other creative leisure of various types. 
It  offers  several  areas  fully  equipped  with  the  necessary  for  practicing  creative  activities, 
including  services  for  the  general  operation  such  as  buffet,  offices,  toilets,  storage,  and 
information about youth. For more information, click here. 

Estonia,  France,  Italy,  and  Slovenia  mention  that  cultural  institutions  are  encouraged  to 
provide young people with access to facilities where they can develop creative activities. 

The  National  Youth  Report  for  Sweden  underlines  that  the  Swedish  Arts  Council  allocates 
around 30 % of state cultural funding to operations and projects that directly benefit child and 
youth culture, while Ireland supports a National Youth Arts Programme which endeavours to 
set standards for quality youth arts work through the promotion and development of models of 
best practice. 

9.2.4.  Promoting specialised training in culture, new media and intercultural competences 

for youth workers  

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Has the Government of your country - existing or previous - taken concrete measures or 
carried out any specific policy initiatives to promote specialised training in culture, new 
media and intercultural competences for youth workers? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

YES, such measures had already been taken before the EU Youth Strategy came 
into force in January 2010, no additional initiatives were necessary. 

YES, such measures/initiatives were taken after the EU Youth Strategy came into 
force in January 2010. 

■ 

● 

NO, but we plan to take concrete measures in this field in 2012.  ▲ 

NO, we do not have any current plans to carry out measures in this field. 

♦ 

1 

1 

1 

22 

7 

1 

3 

2 

1 

1 

19  

5  

0 

2 

Among  measures  that  have  been  taken,  some  Member  States  emphasise  training  in 
intercultural  competences of youth workers (among them  Belgium, Cyprus and the United 
Kingdom)  whereas  others  report  that  priority  is  given  to  training  in  new  media  or 
technologies (the Czech Republic, Spain, Luxembourg, and Austria). The National Youth 
Report  of  Belgium,  the  Czech  Republic,  Austria,  and  Slovenia  mention  the  role  of  the 
Youth in Action programme in supporting training activities for professionals and volunteers 
in youth organisations and youth centres on cultural aspects. 

9.3. 

Youth-led initiatives and action 

Whilst creativity and culture are not currently within the strategic priorities of the European 
Youth  Forum  (YFJ),  culture  was  nevertheless  progressively  integrated  into  its  actions.  In 
2010 and 2011 particularly, the YO! Fest was organised and brought together an international 
array of young musicians to take part in a public youth event in Brussels. 

The YFJ further contributed to the discussions on young people's access to culture during the 
Belgian  Presidency  of  the  Council  of  the  EU,  which  led  to  the  adoption  of  Council 
Conclusions on access of young people to culture 19 November 201074. 

74 

OJ C 326, 3.12.2010, pp. 2-3. 

81 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
                                                 
Table 9-A: Overview of responses contained in National Youth Reports – Culture and Creativity 

Has the Government of your country - existing or previous - taken concrete measures or carried out any specific policy initiatives 

to support the 
development of 
creativity among young 
people by following up 
the Council Conclusions 
on promoting a creative 
generation? 

to make new 
technologies readily 
available to empower 
young people's creativity 
and capacity for 
innovation, and attract 
interest in culture, the 
arts and science? 

to provide access to 
environments where 
young people can 
develop their creativity 
and interests and spend 
a meaningful leisure 
time? 

to promote specialised 
training in culture, new 
media and intercultural 
competences for youth 
workers? 

EU Member 
States 

Belgium 
German-speaking 

Belgium 
Flemish 

Belgium 
French 

Bulgaria 

Czech Republic 

Denmark 

Germany 

Estonia 

Ireland 

Greece 

Spain 

France 

Italy 

Cyprus 

Latvia 

Lithuania 

Luxembourg 

Hungary 

Malta 

Netherlands 

Austria 

Poland 

Portugal 

Romania 

Slovenia 

Slovakia 

Finland 

Sweden 

United Kingdom 

Non-EU Members 

Norway 

Switzerland 

Montenegro 

● 

● 

■ 

■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
●
●
●
■
●
■
■
■
■
■
■
●
■

● 

● 

● 

●
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
▲
▲
●
■
●
■
■
■
■
■
■
●
■

♦
♦
●
■

■
♦
●
■

82 

Croatia 
■ Yes, before the EU Youth Strategy came into force in January 2010 
● Yes, after the EU Youth Strategy came into force in January 2010 
▲ No, but plans 2012 

♦ No, without plans 

● 

● 

■ 

●
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
●
●
●
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■

■
■
●
■

● 

▲ 

■ 

●
●
■
■
■
■
■
■
♦
■
■
●
■
■
●
■
■
■
●
■
■
■
■
■
♦
■

■
♦
●
■

 
 
 
 
 
10. 

YOUTH AND THE WORLD 

10.1.  Commission initiatives and action  

The  EU  Youth  Strategy  ‘field  of  action’  Youth  and  the  World  aims  at  supporting  the 
implementation of the EU's external policies in the youth field. It encourages young people's 
cooperation with regions outside of Europe through enhancing young people's participation in 
and contribution to global policy processes. Numerous activities of Youth and the World are 
implemented  within  the  partnership  between  the  European  Commission  and  the  Council  of 
Europe  (CoE)  in  the  youth  field.  In  the  context  of  the  EU-CoE  youth  partnership,  two 
symposia were organised with Eastern Europe and Caucasus countries, including the Russian 
Federation.  The  first,  hosted  in  Ukraine  in  2011,  focused  on  the  Eastern  dimension  of 
participation and mobility of young people. This was followed up by a symposium focusing 
on  the  well-being  of  young  people,  hosted  in  June  2012  in  Georgia.  Both  activities  offered 
opportunities  for  exchanging  views  on  youth  policies,  priorities  and  good  practices.  The 
European  Commission  maintains  contact  also  with  other  international  organisations  in  this 
field, such as the UN family and the World Bank. The Commission supported, for example, 
the UN Year for Youth and took part in the Youth World Conference in Mexico in 2010. 

The priority regions for Youth and the World are in particular the accession and pre-accession 
states,  the  Eastern  Partnership  countries  and  the  Russian  Federation,  the  Southern 
Mediterranean  (South  Med)  region  and  Southeast  Europe.  Other  focus  areas  are  Africa, 
Canada,  and  China.  These  priorities  allow  for  a  flexible  response  to  political  and  societal 
developments, requirements, changes and opportunities in the youth sector. 

Outreach  to  eastern  European  and  Caucasus  countries  was  a  priority  of  the  Polish  EU 
Presidency in 2011. During this presidency, the Council adopted Conclusions on the Eastern 
dimension  of  youth  participation  and  mobility75  and  the  EU  Presidency  Youth  Conference 
included  participants  from  these  countries.  The  Structured  Dialogue  with  young  people  and 
youth organisations, which also included the formulation of concrete recommendations during 
the EU Presidency Youth Conference in Warsaw, was dedicated to this subject.  

The South Med region was in particular brought to the global public's attention through the 
youth-led uprisings in some Arab countries during 2011, called the ‘Arab Spring’. In light of 
these  events,  the  Commission  organised  a  seminar  on  the  empowerment  of  youth 
organisations  and  youth-led  civil  society  initiatives  in  Malta  in  March  2012  followed  by  a 
youth  policy  conference  in  Tunis  in  August  2012.  These  events  were  organised  in  the 
framework of the EU-CoE youth partnership in cooperation with different partners such as the 
North-South Centre76, the League of Arab States, the Maltese and Tunisian governments, the 
European Youth Forum (YFJ) and civil society organisations in the region. The aims of these 
events were to analyse the current situation and to identify future practical steps to promote 
youth participation. The ground for these events had already been prepared by a youth policy 
seminar in Egypt in 2010.  

75 
76 

OJ C 372, 20.12.2011, pp. 10-14. 

The North–South Centre, officially the European Centre for Global Interdependence and Solidarity, is 
an autonomous agency – called a Partial Agreement – of the Council of Europe. 

83 

 
 
 
 
                                                 
As a follow-up to EU-Africa Youth Summits held in 2007 and 2010, the first meeting of the 
Africa-Europe  Youth  Platform/Forum  is  envisaged  for  November  2012  in  Addis  Ababa, 
Ethiopia.  This  will  bring  together  the  Commission,  the  Council  of  Europe,  the  North-South 
Centre, the African Union (AU), the EU-CoE youth partnership, the YFJ and the Pan-African 
Youth Union.  

The  second  EU-Canada  Youth  Policy  Round  Table  on  youth  participation  took  place  in 
Helsinki, Finland as a follow-up to the 2009 EU-Canada Roundtable on Youth Employment. 
It  was  organised  in  the  framework  of  the  EU-Canada  Agreement  in  Higher  Education, 
Training  and  Youth77.  The  main  goals  were  to  exchange  good  practices,  policy  models  and 
experiences in the EU and Canada in the youth policy area. 

The year 2011 was designated the EU-China Year of Youth with a view to further promote 
and  deepen  the  partnership  between  China  and  Europe,  promote  intercultural  dialogue  and 
strengthen  mutual  understanding  and  friendship  between  our  youth.  Several  activities  were 
organised  throughout  the  year  involving  policy-makers  and  youth  organisations,  some  even 
continued beyond 2011.  

The policy efforts are supported by several programmes in the youth field. The Youth in 
Action programme has a special strand called ‘Youth in the World’ which supports activities 
aimed at strengthening relations between the EU and its neighbours, as well as the rest of the 
world. A total of nearly 27 000 young people and youth workers participated in 2010 and 
2011 in exchanges and other non-formal education activities supported by the programme in 
sub-action ‘Cooperation with EU neighbours’. 

The  Commission  is  increasingly  focusing  on  the  youth  dimension  of  EU  development 
cooperation.  The  focus  on  vulnerable  groups,  including  youth,  is  embraced  in  the 
Communication  on  the  future  of  EU  development  cooperation  Increasing  the  impact  of  EU 
Development Policy: an Agenda for Change78. 

Youth  employment  has  also  become  a  major  issue  in  the  post-Arab  spring  context  in  the 
Southern  Neighbourhood  region.  A  study  by  EuropeAid  published  in  2010  on  ‘Social 
Inclusion  and  youth  in  EC  External  Cooperation’  focusing  on  ENP  countries,  provided  key 
information and recommendations on how to streamline and better tackle youth challenges in 
our external financial cooperation. In line with the Joint Communications of 8 March and 25 
May 2011, geographical interventions in southern neighbourhood will have a strong focus on 
youth  inclusion.  In  this  regard,  in  the  2011  SPRING  programme  (Support  for  Partnership, 
Reform  and  Inclusive  Growth  –  €  350  million)  youth  employability  and  skills  development 
are  considered  as  priorities  for  ensuring  democratic  transformation,  institution  building  and 
economic  growth.  An  example  of  this  greater  focus  is  the  forthcoming  ‘Jeunesse-emploi’ 
(€ 23  million)  programme  in  Algeria  which  will  start  in  2013.  In  the  most  recent  Joint 
Communication of May 2012 Delivering on a new European Neighbourhood Policy79, the EU 
reinforces  its  commitment  to  support  partner  countries  reforms  aimed  at  promoting  social 
cohesion and employment, in particular for young people, in an integrated approach. 

77 
78 
79  

OJ L 397, 30.12.2006, pp. 15-21. 

COM(2011) 637. 

JOIN(2012) 14. 

84 

 
 
 
 
                                                 
EUROPEAID'S REGIONAL PROGRAMME ON YOUTH IN THE ENP REGION. 

The  regional  Eastern  Partnership  Youth  programme  (2012-2015)  will  strengthen  the 
response  of  the  Eastern  Partnership  countries  to  the  needs  of  youth  in  their  societies.  The 
programme has two components: capacity building to officials and civil society actors in the 
youth policy domain, conducted by a Youth Regional Unit; and a grants scheme which takes 
the shape of the ‘Eastern Partnership Youth in Action Window’. Priority in awarding grants 
under  this  window  will  be  given  to  projects  targeting  disadvantaged  young  people  living  in 
rural or deprived urban areas. 

In  the  Neighbourhood  South  area,  the  EuroMed  Youth  IV  Programme,  with  timeframe 
2010-2013 and a total budget of € 5 million, aims to support and strengthen the participation 
and  contribution  of  youth  organisations  and  youth  from  the  Euro-Mediterranean  region 
towards the development of civil society and democracy. As a response to the recent events in 
the area, the programme has been granted with extra € 6 million top-up in 2012. 

The  ‘field  of  action’  Youth  and  the  World  also  supports  recent  Communications  from  the 
European External Action Service (EEAS) and the European Commission on a new response 
to a changing neighbourhood80, a partnership for democracy and shared prosperity with the 
Southern Mediterranean81, and the Commission Communication Eastern Partnership82. 

DENMARK, GERMANY, UNITED KINGDOM – YOUTH IN ACTION PROGRAMME 

Global Youth and Sports Forum for the Millennium Development Goals 

The  Global  Youth  and  Sports  Forum  project  took  place  in  2010  involving  seven  promoters 
from  three  EU  countries  (Denmark,  Germany  and  the  United  Kingdom)  and  three  partner 
countries (African and South-American). It gathered 100 young people to establish a platform 
for young citizens to debate and act upon the role of youth and sport to reach the Millennium 
Development  Goals  (exchange  of  good  practices,  dissemination  of  recommendations  from 
participants to stakeholders at local, national and international levels, international networking 
and  partnership-building  between  participants  and  among  partner  organisations  for  future 
initiatives).  The  promoters  were  international,  member-based  youth  and  sport  umbrellas, 
international youth and sport foundations and regional ‘sport for Social Change Networks’. 

10.2. 

Summary of initiatives and action at national level 

10.2.1.  Raising awareness of young people about global issues 

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Has the Government of your country - existing or previous - taken concrete measures or 
carried  out  any  specific  policy  initiatives  to  raise  the  awareness  of  young  people  about 
global issues such as sustainable development and human rights? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

YES, such measures had already been taken before the EU Youth Strategy came 
into force in January 2010, no additional initiatives were necessary. 

YES, such measures/initiatives were taken after the EU Youth Strategy came into 
force in January 2010. 

■ 

● 

21 

9 

2 

1 

2 

2 

17  

6  

80 
81 
82 

COM(2011) 303. 

COM(2011) 200. 

COM(2008) 823. 

85 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
NO, but we plan to take concrete measures in this field in 2012.  ▲ 

NO, we do not have any current plans to carry out measures in this field. 

♦ 

1 

2 

1 

2 

Almost  half  of  the  Member  States  indicate  that  global  issues  are  part  of  the  education 
curriculum,  a  national  youth  policy  programme  or  strategy,  an  action  plan  or  a  specific 
education programme. The important role of the Youth in Action programme as a means to 
support young people's initiatives and projects was also mentioned. 

According  to  the  National  Reports,  a  number  of  key  state  institutions  or  non-governmental 
organisations  are  involved  in  raising  awareness  of  young  people  about  global  issues  (e.g. 
Youth  Councils,  youth  organisations,  National  Authority  for  Youth,  advisory  councils, 
National  Commission  for  Human  Rights,  specific  ministries,  General  Secretariat  for  Youth, 
inter-ministerial  working  group, informal network of organisations and institutions active in 
the  field,  youth  institutes,  Environmental  Education  Centre).  For  example  in  Sweden,  the 
International Development Cooperation Agency disseminates information about development 
cooperation  and  global  issues  and  the  Living  History  Forum  works  with  young  people  on 
tolerance, democracy and human rights. With the support of the Spanish Institute for Youth, 
Spain  organised  an  international  activity  called  ‘University  for  Youth  and  Development’ 
where more than 300 young people from over 80 countries discussed current youth issues and 
focused especially on sustainable development. 

SLOVENIA 

Global Education Week 

The  Ministry  of  Foreign  Affairs  coordinates  an  inter-ministerial  working  group  for  global 
education,  under  the  auspices  of  which  various  events  are  held  for  raising  awareness  of  the 
importance  of  global  education  in  schools  and  in  general.  Under  the  Ministry  of  Foreign 
Affairs  and  coordinated  by  SLOGA,  an  NGO  platform  for  development  cooperation  and 
humanitarian  aid,  a  week  of  global  education  is  organised  every  year  in  cooperation  with  a 
number  of  non-governmental  organisations  for  young  people.  In  2011,  the  central  topic 
focused on a responsible behaviour of individuals to our planet and its inhabitants. A number 
of events were held throughout Slovenia, also in cooperation with all kinds of organisations, 
schools,  and  associations  that  are  engaged  in  global  education  in  various  ways.  For  more 
information, click here. 

10.2.2.  Providing opportunities for young people to exchange views with  policy-makers on 

global issues 

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Has the Government of your country - existing or previous - taken concrete measures or 
carried  out  any  specific  policy  initiatives  to  provide  opportunities  for  young  people  to 
exchange  views  with  policy-makers  on  global  issues  (e.g.  via  participation  in 
international meetings, virtual platforms/fora etc.)? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

YES, such measures had already been taken before the EU Youth Strategy came 
into force in January 2010, no additional initiatives were necessary. 

YES, such measures/initiatives were taken after the EU Youth Strategy came into 
force in January 2010. 

■ 

● 

NO, but we plan to take concrete measures in this field in 2012  ▲ 

NO, we do not have any current plans to carry out measures in this field. 

♦ 

21 

8 

3 

1 

2 

1 

3 

1 

16  

6  

3 

1 

Most  Member  States  mention  that  they  provide  opportunities  for  young people  to  exchange 
views  with  policy-makers  on  global  issues  (e.g.  via  participation  in  international  meetings, 
virtual platforms/forums, etc.). 

86 

 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
Member  States  use  several  channels  for  encouraging  exchanges  of  opinions  between  young 
people  and  policy-makers  on  global  issues.  This  includes  international  events  organised  by 
the  government  or  NGOs  (Slovenia),  conferences,  online  live  debates,  various  forums  and 
exchanges  at  the  international  level  either  by  the  ministry  responsible  for  Youth  issues  or 
through  Youth  Councils  (Flemish  Community  of  Belgium,  Denmark,  Greece,  Spain  and 
Cyprus). Some Member States (German-speaking Community of Belgium, Latvia, Hungary 
and  Sweden)  mentioned  that  the  EU  Youth  Conferences  function  in  a  positive  way  in  this 
matter through the Structured Dialogue as well as the National Working Groups. YFJ, Youth 
in  Action  programme  (Estonia  and  Ireland),  EuroMed  Youth  (Malta)  Platform  and 
International Advisory Committee were also referred to in this context. 

10.2.3.  Encouraging young people to go ‘green’ 

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Has the Government of your country - existing or previous - taken concrete measures or 
carried  out  any  specific  policy  initiatives  to  encourage  young  people  to  participate  in 
green  volunteering  and  ‘green’  patterns  of  consumption  and  production  (e.g.  recycling, 
energy conservation, hybrid vehicles, etc.)? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

YES, such measures had already been taken before the EU Youth Strategy came 
into force in January 2010, no additional initiatives were necessary. 

YES, such measures/initiatives were taken after the EU Youth Strategy came into 
force in January 2010. 

■ 

● 

NO, but we plan to take concrete measures in this field in 2012.  ▲ 

NO, we do not have any current plans to carry out measures in this field. 

♦ 

22 

6 

2 

3 

1 

1 

1 

2 

1 

1 

19  

4  

2 

1 

Special websites for young consumers exist in Ireland and Sweden. Eco-friendly ideas, civic 
participation and social actions are promoted in Lithuania via the national event ‘Let's do it’. 
Luxembourg, Hungary and Finland are developing agendas or action plans for education in 
sustainable  development.  Such  an  agenda  (Education  for  Sustainable  Development  and 
Global Citizenship) has been in place in the United Kingdom already since 2008 as well as in 
the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Latvia and Slovenia. Slovenia is also part of an international 
programme of eco-schools which encourages the education of children and is managed by the 
association ‘Ecologists without borders’. In Bulgaria, the national programme underlines the 
use  of  green  energy,  environmental  protection  and  recycling.  In  Latvia,  its  Green  point 
organises a competition ‘Green Night’ event both for students and pupils. 

10.2.4.  Promoting entrepreneurship, employment, education and volunteering opportunities 

with countries or regions outside of Europe 

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Has the Government of your country - existing or previous - taken concrete measures or 
carried  out  any  specific  policy  initiatives  to  promote  entrepreneurship,  employment, 
education and volunteering opportunities with countries or regions outside of Europe? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

YES, such measures had already been taken before the EU Youth Strategy came 
into force in January 2010, no additional initiatives were necessary. 

YES, such measures/initiatives were taken after the EU Youth Strategy came into 
force in January 2010. 

■ 

● 

NO, but we plan to take concrete measures in this field in 2012.  ▲ 

NO, we do not have any current plans to carry out measures in this field. 

♦ 

21 

6 

2 

4 

2 

1 

2 

2 

17  

3  

2 

4 

Several  Member  States  indicate  that  they  have  inter-governmental  or  inter-organisational 
partnership agreements with strategic regions outside the EU. Such programmes contribute to 
the  development  of  better  relations  and  understanding  between  nations  and  facilitate 
educational  cooperation  and  further  youth  exchanges.  Some  projects  aim  at  youth  work 

87 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
professionals  and  training  of  young  people  for  the  creation  of  international  youth  networks. 
For  example,  Spain's  Cooperating  Youth  programme  serves  as  a  gateway  to  the  field  of 
international cooperation for young university graduates by providing professional services at 
offices  in  Latin  America,  Africa  and  Asia.  Estonia  facilitates  educational  cooperation  and 
youth exchanges between associations, young people, and specialists with China and Japan to 
promote  mutual  understanding,  broaden  the  international  perspectives  and  support  young 
leaders in a global society. Some Member States, such as the Czech Republic, Poland and 
Finland  have  programmes  run  by  the  Ministry  of  Foreign  Affairs  or  the  Ministry  of 
Education. In the Czech Republic, the United Nations Volunteers Contact Point provides an 
opportunity for young volunteers to be actively involved in UN development programmes and 
peace  missions.  France  created  a  platform  ‘France  Volontaires’  which  consists  of  public 
sector,  international  solidarity  associations  and  young  people  and  has  an  aim  to  support  the 
development of international voluntary exchanges and solidarity. Within its Presidency in the 
second  half  of  2010,  Poland  granted  a  number  of  scholarships  to  several  ‘Meet  your 
neighbour’ projects. Under the Hungarian Presidency during the first half of 2011, the EU-
China Youth Year promoted youth initiatives and exchanges, and a number of young people 
from China attended the EU Youth Conference and the European Youth Week. 

To  promote  entrepreneurship,  employment,  education  and  volunteering  opportunities  with 
countries  or  regions  outside  of  Europe,  several  Member  States,  for  instance  the  German-
speaking  Community  of  Belgium,  Denmark,  Italy,  Latvia,  Malta,  Austria,  Finland  and 
Sweden  stressed  the  importance  of  EU  mobility  programmes,  such  as  Youth  in  Action 
(especially European Voluntary Service) and Lifelong Learning (primarily Erasmus – student 
exchange in higher education). They also underline the role of the National Agencies of these 
programmes (Romania) and the SALTO Resource Centres (Poland). 

10.2.5.  Encouraging young people to participate in development cooperation activities  

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Has the Government of your country - existing or previous - taken concrete measures or 
carried  out  any  specific  policy  initiatives  to  encourage  young  people  to  participate  in 
development cooperation activities either in their country of residence or abroad? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

YES, such measures had already been taken before the EU Youth Strategy came 
into force in January 2010, no additional initiatives were necessary. 

YES, such measures/initiatives were taken after the EU Youth Strategy came into 
force in January 2010. 

■ 

● 

NO, but we plan to take concrete measures in this field in 2012.  ▲ 

NO, we do not have any current plans to carry out measures in this field. 

♦ 

23 

7 

1 

2 

2 

1 

3 

1 

18  

5  

1 

2 

A  common  way  for  young  people  to  participate  is  to  engage  in  civil  society  organisations 
concentrating on development, or by carrying out voluntary activities in their home country or 
in  a  developing  country.  Some  Member  States  highlight  the  opportunities  offered  by  the 
Commission's Youth in Action programme (Bulgaria, Luxembourg, Austria, and Slovenia) 
while  others  emphasise  national  programmes  (Flemish  Community  of  Belgium,  French 
Community  of  Belgium,  the  Czech  Republic,  Germany,  Estonia,  Spain,  Cyprus, 
Lithuania, Poland, Finland and Sweden). Many of the National Youth Reports also stress 
that  projects  supporting  the  participation  of  young  people  in  development  cooperation  also 
help  them  develop  a  European  identity  and  sense  of  solidarity.  The  Flemish  Community  of 
Belgium  reports  that  it  supports  both  international  youth  projects  in  countries  in  need  of 
humanitarian  help  as  well  as  international  projects  that  raise  young  people's  intercultural 
competences  and  awareness  of  problems  in  developing  countries.  National  programmes 
providing  opportunities  for  young  graduates  and  young  people  to  obtain  experience  from 
working  in  international  organisations  and  in  developing  countries  include  the  Junior 

88 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
Professional Officer programme in Sweden, the Aid Volunteering programme in Poland and 
the Spanish Cooperation Youth programme. The Development Aid Programme in the Czech 
Republic  supports  the  development  of  the  youth  sector  in  specific  countries  and  offers 
training courses concerning development projects at the national level. In Bulgaria, a national 
information campaign about volunteering and the Annual Ball of Volunteers are examples of 
activities  aiming  at  awareness-raising  among  youth  organisations  on  this  subject.  Germany 
and  Austria  offer  school  partnership  programmes  on  development  cooperation  issues. 
Lithuania  highlights  ‘Green  Capital’  a  cooperation  project  focusing  on  climate  change, 
sharing of knowledge and personal experience. 

10.3.  Youth-led initiatives and action 

The inclusion of Youth and the World as a new ‘field of action’ in the EU Youth Strategy has 
been welcomed by young people. This ‘field of action’ reflects the aims of the Youth Forum's 
work  in  strengthening  inter-regional  and  global  youth  dialogue  and  cooperation,  supporting 
the  development  of  youth  work  in  other  regions  of  the  world  and  looking  for  synergies 
between European youth organisations and their counterparts elsewhere. 

In  2010  and  2011,  the  Youth  Forum's  engagement  in  cooperation  with  other  regions  of  the 
world  focused  on  Africa-Europe  youth  cooperation,  Euro-Mediterranean  youth  cooperation, 
the EU-China Year of Youth, EU-Canada cooperation as well as other initiatives carried out 
by youth organisations with other regions of the world. The Youth Forum engaged in several 
processes  with  Africa,  Latin  America  and  the  Caribbean,  China,  Arab  and  Mediterranean 
regions. These include the ‘Universities’ on Participation and Citizenship in Uruguay, and on 
Youth  and  Development  in  Cape  Verde  and  Spain;  the  Youth  Leaders  Meeting  on  Youth 
Policies in the context of Africa-Europe youth cooperation and the Euro-Latin American and 
Caribbean Youth Forum. 

The YFJ was also active in the UN High-level Meeting on Youth, the 4th Forum of the UN 
Alliance  of  Civilisations,  as  member  of  the  International  Coordination  Meeting  of  Youth 
Organisations  (ICMYO)  and  as  co-organiser  of  the  11th  and  12th  Universities  on  Youth  and 
Development (UYD), held in Mollina, Spain. 

In  the  field  of  sustainable  development,  the  Youth  Forum  adopted  several  policy  positions 
linked to the UN Millennium Development Goals and prepared youth delegates for climate-
related and social development-related international events. 

In  an  EU-Canada  roundtable  in  Helsinki  in  2011,  jointly  organised  by  the  Canadian 
government and the Commission, representatives of youth organisations had opportunities to 
exchange views with youth workers, researchers and officials from both sides of the Atlantic 
on the topic of youth participation. 

The YFJ was actively involved in the 2011 EU-China Year of Youth, contributing to realising 
youth  dialogue  and  achieving  full  involvement  of  young  people  and  youth  organisations  in 
EU-China relations. 

The YFJ contributed to the Structured Dialogue on the involvement of civil society and local 
authorities in EU Development Cooperation, organised in 2010. 

89 

 
 
 
 
Table 10-A: Overview of responses contained in National Youth Reports – Youth and the World 

Has the Government of your country - existing or previous - taken concrete measures or carried out any specific policy initiatives 

to raise the 
awareness of 
young people about 
global issues such 
as sustainable 
development and 
human rights? 

to provide opportunities 
for young people to 
exchange views with 
policy-makers on global 
issues (e.g. via 
participation in 
international meetings, 
virtual platforms/forums, 
etc.)? 

to encourage young 
people to participate in 
green volunteering and 
‘green’ patterns of 
consumption and 
production (e.g. recycling, 
energy conservation, 
hybrid vehicles, etc.)? 

to promote 
entrepreneurship, 
employment, 
education and 
volunteering 
opportunities with 
countries or regions 
outside of Europe? 

to encourage 
young people to 
participate in 
development 
cooperation 
activities either in 
their country of 
residence or 
abroad? 

EU Member 
States 

Belgium 
German-
speaking 

Belgium 
Flemish 

Belgium 
French 

Bulgaria 

Czech Republic 

Denmark 

Germany 

Estonia 

Ireland 

Greece 

Spain 

France 

Italy 

Cyprus 

Latvia 

Lithuania 

Luxembourg 

Hungary 

Malta 

Netherlands 

Austria 

Poland 

Portugal 

Romania 

Slovenia 

Slovakia 

Finland 

Sweden 

United Kingdom 

Non-EU 

Norway 

Switzerland 

Montenegro 

● 

■ 

■ 

●
■
♦
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
♦
●
●
●
■
■
■
●
■
▲
●
■
■
■

● 

■ 

■ 

●
■
■
■
■
■
●
■
■
■
■
●
♦
▲
●
■
■
■
■
●
■
▲
●
▲
■
■

■
●
●
■

■
■
●
■

Croatia 
■ Yes, before the EU Youth Strategy came into force in January 2010 
● Yes, after the EU Youth Strategy came into force in January 2010 
▲ No, but plans 2012 

  ♦ No, without plans 

90 

♦ 

■ 

● 

●
●
■
■
■
■
●
■
■
■
■
■
■
▲
▲
●
■
■
■
■
■
■
♦
■
■
■

♦
■
●
■

● 

■ 

■ 

▲
■
♦
■
■
■
■
■
●
■
■
●
♦
♦
●
■
■
■
■
■
■
▲
♦
■
■
■

■
■
●
●

● 

■ 

■ 

●
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
●
■
■
●
●
●
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
▲
♦
■
■
♦

■
■
●
■

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
11. 

STRUCTURED DIALOGUE WITH YOUNG PEOPLE AND YOUTH ORGANISATIONS 

11.1.  Commission initiatives and action  

Structured  Dialogue  with  Young  People83  is  an  operational  tool  of  the  EU  Youth  Strategy, 
which  enables  young  people  and  youth  organisations  to  contribute  to  policy-making.  It  is 
conducted in cycles of 18 months, coinciding with the terms of office of Trio Presidencies, on 
overall thematic priorities set by the Council. In addition, individual Presidency countries set 
national priorities for Structured Dialogue which, wholly or partially, contribute to the overall 
thematic priority. 

Structured Dialogue is conducted at national and EU level: 

• 

• 

National Working Groups (NWG) manage consultations of young people and youth 
organisations within their respective countries on the basis of guiding questions set 
by  the  European  Steering  Committee  for  the  Structured  Dialogue  (ESC)  for  each 
phase  of  the  Structured  Dialogue  cycle.  The  guiding  questions  reflect  the  overall 
thematic priority of the Structured Dialogue cycle and the national priority set by the 
presidency  countries  for  its  phase  of  the  cycle.  NWGs  may  adapt  the  guiding 
questions  to  take  account  of  national  situations  and  report  the  outcomes  of 
consultations to the ESC.  

Outcomes  are  collated  and  serve  as  a  basis  for  debates  conducted  at  EU  Youth 
Conferences  organised  by  each  presidency  country,  where  selected  youth  delegates 
and  policy-makers  representing  national  authorities  and  EU  institutions  will  draw 
conclusions (in the form of joint recommendations) aimed, in most cases, at Member 
States and the European Commission. The conclusions are subsequently reflected in 
Council resolutions/conclusions adopted by youth ministers. 

At  the  end  of  the  first  cycle  (on  youth  employment)  of  Structured  Dialogue,  a  Council 
Resolution was adopted to provide an overview of the process and its outcomes.  

HUNGARY 

Compendium on Structured Dialogue 

In early 2012, the outgoing Hungarian Presidency published a compendium on the first cycle 
of  Structured  Dialogue.  The  Compendium  provides  an  overview  of  the  Structured  Dialogue 
conducted  on  the  theme  of  ‘youth  employment’, with  contributions  from  the  main  actors  in 
the process. It contains facts and figures relating to the first cycle and lists its main outcomes 
and  achievements.  It  is  a  useful  reference  point,  which  may  inspire  those  entrusted  with 

83 

The  implementation  of  Structured  Dialogue  is  detailed  in  annex  III  of  the  Council  Resolution  on  a 
renewed framework for European Cooperation in the youth field (2010-2018), OJ C 311, 19.12.2009, 
p. 11,  and  in  the  annex  of  the  Council  Resolution  on  the  Structured  Dialogue  with  young  people  on 
youth employment, OJ C 164, 2.6.2011, p. 4. 

91 

 
 
 
 
                                                 
ensuring the successful conduct of Structured Dialogue in the years to come. The Commission 
has made this compendium available on the European Youth Portal84. 

NWGs were established in all Member States during the first cycle of Structured Dialogue. In 
the second cycle of Structured Dialogue (on youth participation in democratic life85), NWGs 
in  all  Member  States  organised  consultations  of  young  people  and  youth  organisations  and 
reported on their outcomes. 

Table 11-A: Structured Dialogue with Young People and Youth Organisations 

Structured Dialogue enables young people and youth organisations to contribute to policy-making. Its cycles of 
18 months coincide with the terms of office of Trio Presidencies. 

Overall thematic priorities are set by the Council and may be supplemented by national priorities of individual 
presidency  countries.  The  priorities  are  reflected  in  guiding  questions  set  for  each  phase  of  the  cycle  of 
Structured Dialogue (18 months). The European Steering Committee for the Structured Dialogue (ESC) sets 
the  guiding  questions  which  form  the  basis  of  consultations  in  Member  States.  ESC  consists  of  three 
representatives (national authority, National Agency for Youth in Action programme, National Youth Council) 
of each of the Member States of the Trio Presidency, the European Commission and the European Youth Forum 
(YFJ). The latter chairs the ESC and provides most of its secretarial functions. 

National  Working  Groups  (NWG)  manage  consultations  of  young  people,  youth  organisations  and  other 
stakeholders. NWGs may adapt the guiding questions to take account of national situations. 

84 

85 

Ministry of National Resources of Hungary, 2011. Compendium of the Structured Dialogue with Young 
People and Youth Organisations on Youth Employment during the Spanish, Belgian and Hungarian EU 
Presidencies. Available here. 

The first part of the second cycle finished with Council Conclusions, OJ C 372, 20.12.2011, pp. 10-14. 

92 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
Background  documents  for  EU  Youth  Conferences  are  drawn  up  on  the  basis  of  a  consolidated  report  of 
outcomes  of  national  consultations.  EU  Youth  Conferences  are  organised  by  each  Member  State  holding  the 
Council Presidency, where nominated youth delegates and policy-makers, representing national authorities and 
EU institutions, conduct debates and draw conclusions (in the form of joint recommendations). 

Joint  recommendations  are  generally  aimed  at  Member  States  and  the  European  Commission  and  are 
subsequently reflected in Council resolutions/conclusions adopted by Youth Ministers. 

With a view to developing and refining the process, and as an integral part of the 5th European 
Youth  Week  in  May  2011,  the  Commission  took  the  initiative  to  host  Structured  Dialogue 
devoted to the conduct of the Dialogue itself. This Dialogue took stock of the process on the 
basis of experiences gained from the conduct of its first cycle. Youth delegates representing 
all  NWGs  and  policy-makers 
joint 
recommendations on the future conduct and development of Structured Dialogue. 

from  most  national  authorities  adopted  45 

Dedicated pages have been added to the European Youth Portal to promote and enhance the 
visibility of the process. 

GERMANY 

Online procedure for Structured Dialogue 

Together  with  the  NWG  the  National  Co-ordination  Unit  developed  an  online  procedure  to 
compile the dialogue results. In a first phase, the demands, concerns, desires and results of the 
dialogue processes are compiled. These contributions are published immediately on a website 
for  all  to  see.  Compilation  is  followed  by  a  second  phase  during  which  the  participants 
prioritise  the  input  and  thereby  determine  which  content  will  flow  into  the  National  Youth 
Report. 

For  the  purposes  of  this  online  procedure,  a  special  tool  (the  ‘participation  tracker’)  was 
developed  to  offer  the  young  people  low-threshold  access  to  participation  and  at  the  same 
time provide all participants with the highest degree of transparency. With the ‘participation 
tracker’, a nationwide eParticipation procedure was used for the first time and it also serves as 
a pilot project for further developments in this area. For more information, click here. 

Although  Structured  Dialogue  is  only  conducted  in  Member  States,  youth  delegates  and 
government officials from EU Candidate Countries, European Economic Area (EFTA-EEA) 
and  other  non-EU  Youth  in  Action  programme  countries  have,  at  the  discretion  of  Member 
States holding the Presidency, been invited to participate in EU Youth Conferences. 

The first two cycles of Structured Dialogue on employment and youth participation fed into 
Council  documents  and  were  actively  used  by  the  Commission  to  further  their  policies  in 
these  areas.  Worth  mentioning  are  take  up  of  recommendations  in  the  several  of  the 
Commission's policy initiatives to fight youth unemployment and the opening of an Eastern 
Partnership  Window  in  the  Youth  in  Action  programme  aimed  at  cooperation  with  eastern 
European neighbouring countries. The results of these efforts are described in further detail in 
the relevant chapters addressing employment, participation and youth in the world. 

11.2. 

Summary of initiatives and action at national level 

Responses in National Youth Reports 

93 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Has your government carried out any specific measures or is it planning to do so based 
on  the  conclusions  from  the  European  Youth  Week,  which  present  a  number  of 
recommendations on how the structured dialogue can be improved at the national and the 
European levels? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

YES, the government has implemented specific measures responding to 
recommendations from the European Youth Week in May 2011. 

▼ 

16 

3 

NO, but we plan to take concrete measures in this field in 2012.  ▲ 

NO, we do not have any current plans to carry out measures in this field. 

♦ 

8 

9 

1 

3 

13  

7  

6 

Most Member States have responded actively to the recommendations on how to improve the 
Structured  Dialogue.  The  ESC  for  the  Structured  Dialogue  and  the  Commission  also 
responded  to  relevant  recommendations  from  the  conclusions  drawn  during  the  2011 
European Youth Week.  

Germany  believes  that  it  has  only  limited  means  of  exerting  influence  on  the  conduct  of 
Structured Dialogue at EU level, but relies on contacts with the ESC to present proposals for 
improvements.  Some  Member  States,  including  the  Netherlands  and  Lithuania  comment 
that efforts to improve the conduct of Structured Dialogue at national level are undertaken by 
the NWG, rather than the Government, which does not play a leading role in NWG.  

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Has your Government supported the establishment of a National Working Group? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

Yes  ▼ 

No 

◊ 

29 

4 

3 

4 

26  

0  

All  Member  States  demonstrated  their  commitment  to  Structured  Dialogue  by  actively 
supporting  the  setting  up  of  a  NWG  during  the  first  cycle  of  the  process.  NWGs  in  all 
Member States contributed to the consultations of young people undertaken prior to the EU 
Youth Conferences organised by Poland and Denmark, which completed the first two phases 
of the second cycle on ‘youth participation in democratic life’. 

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Does the National Youth Council play a leading role in the National Working Group? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

Yes  ▼ 

No 

◊ 

24 

9 

3 

4 

21  

5  

NYCs  do  not  exist  in  all  Member  States,  but  they  have  the  leading  role  in  most  NWGs. 
Slovakia  reports  that  in  line  with  the  recommendations  adopted  during  the  2011  European 
Youth Week, the leading role of the NWG was transferred to the Slovak Youth Council. In 
Bulgaria and Hungary, where there are no NYCs, other youth representatives are members 
of  the  NWG.  In  France,  CNAJEP,  as  the  national  representative  of  organised  youth,  is 
performing the leading role in the NWG during the second cycle of Structured Dialogue. In 
Romania  the  leading  role  is  assumed  by  the  national  ministry,  and  in  Greece  the  General 
Secretariat for Youth plays the leading role in the absence of cooperation with the NYC. 

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Does the competent national ministry play an active role in the National Working Group?  Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

Yes  ▼ 

No 

◊ 

28 

5 

3 

4 

25  

1  

94 

 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
The competent ministry for youth affairs plays an active role in all NWGs with the exception 
of  Finland.  Although  the  Finnish  Ministry  is  represented  in  the  NWG  and  finances  its 
activities, the Ministry has chosen not to play an active role. 

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Is the competent national ministry aware of the process of consultations, and subsequent 
results,  undertaken  by  the  National  Working  Group  in  response  to  guiding  questions 
issued by the European Steering Committee for the structured dialogue with youth? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

Yes  ▼ 

No 

◊ 

28 

5 

3 

4 

25  

1  

The competent ministry for youth affairs is aware of the tasks and achievements of NWGs in 
all  Member  States.  Finland,  however,  reports  that  whereas  the  Ministry  is  aware  of  the 
consultations  and  results,  it  is  difficult  to  estimate  to  which  extent  it  has  taken  these  into 
consideration. 

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Given  the  cross-sectoral  character  of  the  EU  Youth  Strategy,  have  other  national 
ministries played an active role in the National Working Group? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

Yes  ▼ 

No 

◊ 

6 

27 

3 

4 

6  

20  

In  Bulgaria,  Latvia,  Hungary,  the  Netherlands  and  Portugal  ministries  responsible  for 
employment  issues  participated  in  the  first  cycle  of  Structured  Dialogue.  The  active  role  of 
other national ministries in NWGs will inevitably depend on the relevant thematic priority of 
the  Structured  Dialogue,  but  the  potential  for  their  involvement  may  increase  in  the  future 
given the cross-sectoral character of the EU Youth Strategy. 

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Does  your  Government  provide  financial  or  other  support  for  the  National  Working 
Group? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

Yes  ▼ 

No 

◊ 

25 

8 

3 

4 

22  

4  

A significant majority of Member States' governments provides financial and other means of 
support  for  the  activities  of  NWGs.  Financial  support  is  often  given  in  the  framework  of 
subsidies to the NYC (e.g. Spain, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Sweden), regular national 
grant  schemes  (e.g.  Denmark,  and  Estonia),  or  the  Youth  in  Action  programme  (e.g. 
Latvia). 

The German-speaking Community of Belgium, Ireland, Cyprus, and Lithuania refer to the 
provision of venues. For political support of the NWG, in the Czech Republic there is a civil 
servant in charge of close cooperation with its Chair. 

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Does your Government consider the National Working Group already established in your 
country  to  be  sufficiently  inclusive  in  its  composition  to  ensure  a  participatory  process 
open to all young people? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

Yes  ▼ 

No 

◊ 

19 

14 

1 

2 

4 

18  

8  

Although  the  majority  of  governments  consider  their  NWGs  to  be  sufficiently  inclusive, 
others express suggestions for broadening outreach in future. Latvia reminds of the necessity 
to involve more young people, who are ready to be active. Cyprus argues that creative and 
innovative ways of reaching out to young people should be further explored, while Sweden 

95 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
reports on the difficulty, as in other European countries, in reaching young people who are not 
part  of  an  organisation.  Although  Ireland  considers  its  NWG  to  be  inclusive,  its  verdict  is 
qualified by a reference to ‘in as far as it is practicable’. 

Belgium  established  three  NWGs  (French  Community,  German-speaking  Community  and 
Flemish Community) to reflect its federal structure. 

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Has  your  Government  taken  any  initiatives  to  follow  up  the  points  that  were  raised  as 
priority  areas  in  the  conclusions  of  the  structured  dialogue  on  youth  employment,  as 
outlined in the Council Resolution on the structured dialogue? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

No, but we intend to take relevant initiatives/measures in 2012  ▲ 

No, we do not have any current plans for a follow-up 

♦ 

Yes  ▼ 

12 

12 

9 

2 

1 

1 

3 

10  

11  

5  

A majority of Member States responded positively to the outcomes of the Structured Dialogue 
on youth employment and have already, or are in the process of so doing, taken initiatives to 
ensure a follow-up of outcomes. 

Several Member States refer to national strategies, which include some of the conclusions. In 
Germany the conclusions were picked up both by the federal and state governments. Namely 
the  ‘Recognition  of  non-formal  education’  is  integrated  into  their  work  and  influenced  also 
the discussion regarding the development of an ‘Independent Youth Policy’. Ireland followed 
the  conclusions  mainly  by  establishing  the  ‘JobBridge’  national  internship  scheme.  Italy  in 
contrast undertook a reform of apprenticeships. 

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Would  your  Government  support  a  structured  dialogue  with  young  people  and  youth 
organisations  in  other  fields  than  those  covered  by  the  overall  thematic  priorities,  and 
individual Presidency priorities, agreed at European level? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

Yes  ▼ 

No 

◊ 

26 

7 

3 

1 

3 

22  

4  

A significant majority of Member States have embraced the concept of Structured Dialogue to 
the  extent  that  they  would  support  its  extension  at  national  level.  Some  Member  States  
(the  Czech  Republic  Greece,  Spain,)  argue  such  developments  are  already  being 
implemented, whereas Austria feels that any extension should be partly funded by EU funds. 
Sweden  reports  that  regular  consultations  with  young  people  and  youth  organisations  are  a 
natural part of national youth policy. France explains that the means for having a continuous 
consultation process between the government and organised youth do not exist. 

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Do  youth  researchers  and  those  engaged  in  youth  work  play  a  role  in  carrying  out  the 
structured dialogue in your country? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

Yes  ▼ 

No 

◊ 

26 

7 

2 

1 

1 

3 

23  

3  

A  significant  majority  of  Member  States  report  that  researchers  and  youth  workers  are 
involved  in  the  Structured  Dialogue  process,  either  as  members  of  the  NWG  or  as  active 
participants in consultations – or both. 

Portugal  puts  emphasis  on  the  involvement  of  experts  in  workshops  and  the  provision  of 
information at the infopoint network ‘Lojas Ponto JA’. In Germany, scientific support comes 
from the research group ‘Youth and Europe’ at the Centre for Applied Policy Research. 

96 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
Responses in National Youth Reports 

Would  your  Government  support  efforts  to  enhance  the  visibility  and  transparency  of 
structured dialogue at national level? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

Yes  ▼ 

No 

◊ 

30 

3 

3 

1 

3 

26  

0  

All Member  States  support  efforts to  enhance the national visibility of  the process. Austria 
reports  that  this  is  one  of  the  core  aims  of  its  NWG,  while  Spain  seeks  greater  ‘social 
visibility’. Lithuania emphasises the need to promote Structured Dialogue on the websites of 
important  stakeholders.  At  EU  level,  the  European  Youth  Portal  now  provides  dedicated 
pages on Structured Dialogue and optional online functionalities are being added to support 
the conduct of future national consultations. 

97 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Responses in National Youth Reports 

Based on the experiences gained since 2010, does your Government feel that the format 
and  working  methods  employed  at  EU  Youth  Conferences  contribute  to  a  successful 
conduct of structured dialogue? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

Yes  ▼ 

No 

◊ 

23 

10 

1 

2 

1 

3 

21  

5  

Hungary argues that the final outcome of the first cycle of Structured Dialogue proves that 
the working methods of three (linked) conferences are useful and can lead to a well prepared 
result.  Germany  calls  for  a  greater  role  to  be  played  by  the  outcomes  of  consultations  and 
perceives that there is not sufficient time allowed for debates in workshops. Estonia feels that 
EU  Youth  Conferences  should  provide  for  more  sharing  of  experiences  and  good  practices 
between national youth organisations. Spain emphasises the importance of ensuring that non-
organised youth and young people with fewer opportunities are represented, whereas Finland 
argues for continuity in the process and recommends that young participants be experienced 
in the field of EU policy. The French Community of Belgium reports that the language barrier 
is a major problem and obstacle, and Austria calls for new technology tools to be employed to 
give  more  young  people  a  chance  to  participate  in  Conferences.  Parts  of  the  EU  Youth 
Conferences  organised  in  Poland,  Denmark  and  Cyprus  were  made  available  to  a  larger 
audience through the use of web-streaming. 

Responses in National Youth Reports 

Based on the experiences gained from the first two cycles of the structured dialogue, does 
your  Government  have  particular  recommendations  for  the  further  development  of  the 
structured dialogue? 

Total  Belgium  

Non-EU 
countries 

EU countries 
excl. Belgium 

Yes  ▼ 

No 

◊ 

23 

10 

3 

4 

20  

6  

Structured  Dialogue  is  an  on-going  and  developing  process.  Building  on  the  positive 
experience gained from the 2011 European Youth Week and the organisation of a Structured 
Dialogue with the main actors in the process, the Commission will ensure that such dialogues 
are conducted regularly to facilitate any future improvements of the Structured Dialogue. 

NETHERLANDS 

Local Structured Dialogue 

In the Netherlands the NWG chaired by the NYC (NJR) has started a pilot project with Dutch 
local authorities/municipalities (‘gemeenten’) to organise the Structured Dialogue at the local 
level. This involves one kick-off meeting and five intensive local dialogue sessions between 
local policy-makers, professionals and young people to discuss how the Structured Dialogue 
can  be  implemented  on  a  structural  basis  on  the  local  level  and  to  promote  the  European 
Youth  Strategy  with  local  administrators.  For  more  information  please  contact  the  Dutch 
National Youth Council NJR at: info@njr.nl; jacqueline.baljeu@njr.nl. 

Several  Member  States  are  developing  and  defining  their  contribution  to  the  Structured 
Dialogue. Portugal revised and redefined its execution of the process in cooperation with its 
NYC, and the NWG set up ambitious regional and national consultations in accordance with 
the joint recommendations issued during the 2011 European Youth Week. By adopting a new 
Public  Interest  in  the  Youth  Sector  Act,  Slovenia  defined  Structured  Dialogue  as  ‘an  open, 
transparent,  long-term,  continuous  and  systematic  dialogue  between  young  people  and  the 
holders  of  power  at  the  national  and  local  level’.  The  Youth  Department  of  the  Czech 

98 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
Republic identified Structured Dialogue as a priority area in the 2012-13 Action Plan on the 
Concept  of  Czech  Youth  Policy.  Discussions  were  initiated  with  the  National  Council  of 
Children and Youth to shape the functioning of the NWG and change its primary mission of 
responding  to  tasks  set  by  the  Trio  Presidencies  into  one  of  being  an  equal  partner  to  the 
Ministry in the preparation of a new concept for youth policy after 2013. 

Some  Member  States  are  also  reporting  developments  in  the  methodology  employed  when 
conducting  Structured  Dialogue  at  national  level.  In  Hungary  the  joint  recommendations 
issued  during  the  2011  European  Youth  Week  were  taken  into  consideration  during  the 
process  of  establishing  a  new  NWG,  which  has  created  its  own  Facebook  site,  ‘Have  Your 
Say’ to be able to address and communicate directly with young people and to enable youth to 
keep an eye on the process. In the Netherlands, the NYC makes a particular effort to involve 
unorganised  youth  as  much  as  possible.  Lessons  and  debates  in  schools  organised  by 
representatives  of  the  NYC,  as  well  as  online  questionnaires  and  polls,  are  among  the 
consultation methods that have been employed. 

The  majority  of  Member  States  are  satisfied  with  the  format  of  the  EU  Youth  Conferences 
organised during the first cycles of Structured Dialogue, Sweden reports that it nominates the 
same  two  youth  representatives  to  participate  in  all  three  EU  Youth  Conferences  organised 
during  a  cycle.  Both  the  youth  representatives  and  the  NWG  feel  that  this  is  a  successful 
method to sustain consistency in the national consultations and the EU Youth Conferences. 

POLAND 

Infopack for Structured Dialogue 

At  the  end  of  2011  a  new  Infopack  on  Structured  Dialogue  was  prepared  by  the  National 
Agency of the Youth in Action programme and the Polish Council of Youth Organisations. 
That short guide on the Dialogue shows how the process works and how to implement it on a 
local  level  including  advice  on  meetings  at  schools,  universities  or  how  to  facilitate  the 
dialogue in a youth organisation by creativity techniques. Find the InfoPack here. 

Most Member States issued  recommendations for the further development of  the Structured 
Dialogue, based on the experiences gained from the completion of its first two cycles. These 
recommendations include: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

A single overall thematic priority should be the focus of Structured Dialogue during 
each of its cycles, covering all three Presidency terms of office (the Flemish and the 
French Communities of Belgium, the National Youth Council of the Netherlands) 

A clear link between the three consultation cycles and the overall thematic priority is 
essential (Hungary and Portugal) 

More  transparency  is  required  to  illustrate  the  follow-up  to  the  outcomes  of  the 
consultation processes (Germany) 

New  methods  should  be  used  to  reach  a  larger  number  of  young  people,  e.g.  by 
consulting European Youth Card holders (Finland) 

Member States should explain to young people the importance of participating in a 
Structured Dialogue consultation (Cyprus) 

99 

 
 
 
 
• 

• 

• 

• 

The  Youth  in  Action  programme  and  its  successor  must  be  construed  to  meet  the 
needs  of  Structured  Dialogue,  in  terms  of  application  deadlines,  eligibility  of 
expenses  and  recognition  of  in-kind  contributions  and  volunteering  time  as  eligible 
elements of co-funding (National Youth Council of Austria) 

A  consistency  in  the  nomination  of  youth  representatives  attending  EU  Youth 
Conferences (Sweden) 

The  term  ‘Structured  Dialogue’  needs  to  be  explained,  as  young  people  do  not 
understand what it means (Estonia) 

Solicit the opinion of young people before setting thematic priorities for Structured 
Dialogue (French Community of Belgium) 

As the Structured Dialogue only involves Member States, questions relating to this ongoing 
process have not been answered in National Youth Reports submitted by non-EU countries. 

11.3.  Youth-led initiatives and action 

The YFJ regards the Structured Dialogue as one of the most important developments for EU 
cooperation  in  the  youth  field  since  2010.  It  has  created  a  direct  communication  channel 
between  young  people  and  decision-makers  at  European  level,  as  well  as  in  all  Member 
States. From the very beginning, the YFJ has been one of the key stakeholders and played a 
leading role in the implementation of the process within the ESC. 

Since 2009, the YFJ has been involved in preparing and developing the process and defining 
the structures needed for its implementation, namely NWGs and the ESC. Holding the Chair 
and secretariat of the ESC, the Forum has until today been in charge of communication with 
NWGs. 

During  the  first  and  second  cycles  of  Structured  Dialogue,  the  YFJ  selected  a  group  of 
facilitators  to  ensure  continuity  and  efficiency  in  the  preparation  and  methodology  of  EU 
Youth Conferences. Likewise, it contributed to the organisation of the European Youth Week 
2011,  in  which  an  interim  assessment  of  the  process  was  made  and  a  set  of  joint 
recommendations regarding its future was drafted. 

After  each  phase  of  national  consultation,  the  YFJ  collected  reports  from  NWGs  and 
synthesised  them  thematically.  These  compilations  were  used  as  background  documents  for 
the discussions at the consequent EU Youth Conferences. The YFJ additionally used NWGs' 
feedback  to  put  together  an  overview  of  methodologies  used  for  consultations  in  Member 
States,  allowing  NWGs  to  build  on  each  other's  experience.  This  was  also  used  to  identify 
challenges NWGs face and address them within the ESC. 

During  these  two  cycles,  the  YFJ  has  been  successful  in  engaging  NYCs  to  take  part  in 
Structured  Dialogue,  and  is  now  working  towards  more  involvement  of  international  non-
governmental  youth  organisations.  In  addition  to  broadening  the  scope  of  the  process,  the 
Forum also worked on the visibility of Structured Dialogue, by publishing information on it 
on its webpage. 

the 
After  each  EU  Youth  Conference, 
recommendations  put  forward  during  the  process,  both  within  the  youth  field  and  in  other 
fields, for example the employment field during the first cycle of Structured Dialogue.  

the  YFJ  ensured  political  follow-up  of 

100 

 
 
 
 
Table 11-B: Overview of responses contained in National Youth Reports – Structured Dialogue 

Has your government carried 
out any specific measures or 
is it planning to do so based 
on the conclusions from the 
European Youth Week, which 
present a number of 
recommendations on how the 
structured dialogue can be 
improved at the national and 
the European levels? 

Has your 
Government 
supported the 
establishment 
of a National 
Working 
Group? 

Does the 
National Youth 
Council play a 
leading role in 
the National 
Working 
Group? 

Does the 
competent 
national ministry 
play an active 
role in the 
National 
Working Group? 

Is the competent national ministry 
aware of the process of 
consultations, and subsequent 
results, undertaken by the National 
Working Group in response to 
guiding questions issued by the 
European Steering Committee for 
the structured dialogue with youth? 

EU Member 
States 

Belgium 
German-
speaking 

Belgium 
Flemish 

Belgium 
French 

Bulgaria 

Czech 

Denmark 

Germany 

Estonia 

Ireland 

Greece 

Spain 

France 

Italy 

Cyprus 

Latvia 

Lithuania 

Luxembourg 

Hungary 

Malta 

Netherlands 

Austria 

Poland 

Portugal 

Romania 

Slovenia 

Slovakia 

Finland 

Sweden 

United 

Non-EU 

Norway 

Switzerland 

Montenegro 

Croatia 
▼ Yes 
▲ No, but plans 2012 

 ◊ No 

▼ 

▼ 

▼ 

▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
◊
▼
▼

◊
◊
◊
◊

▼ 

▼ 

▼ 

▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
◊
▼
▼

◊
◊
◊
◊

▼ 

▼ 

▼ 

▼
▼
▲
▼
▲
♦
♦
♦
♦
▼
▼
▲
▲
▲
▼
▲
▼
▲
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
♦
♦
▼

♦
♦
♦
▲

▼ 

▼ 

▼ 

▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼

◊
◊
◊
◊

▼ 

▼ 

▼ 

◊
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
◊
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
◊
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
◊
▼
◊
▼
▼
▼

◊
◊
◊
◊

 ♦ No, without plans 

101 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Given the cross-
sectoral character 
of the EU Youth 
Strategy, have 
other national 
ministries played 
an active role in the 
National Working 
Group? 

Does your 
Government 
provide 
financial or 
other support 
for the 
National 
Working 
Group? 

Does your Government 
consider the National 
Working Group already 
established in your country 
to be sufficiently inclusive 
in its composition to 
ensure a participatory 
process open to all young 
people? 

Has your Government 
taken any initiatives to 
follow up the points that 
were raised as priority 
areas in the conclusions of 
the structured dialogue on 
youth employment, as 
outlined in the Council 
Resolution on the 
structured dialogue? 

Would your Government 
support a structured 
dialogue with young 
people and youth 
organisations in other 
fields than those covered 
by the overall thematic 
priorities, and individual 
Presidency priorities, 
agreed at European level? 

EU Member 
States 

Belgium 
German-
speaking 

Belgium 
Flemish 

Belgium 
French 

Bulgaria 

Czech 
Republic 

Denmark 

Germany 

Estonia 

Ireland 

Greece 

Spain 

France 

Italy 

Cyprus 

Latvia 

Lithuania 

Luxembourg 

Hungary 

Malta 

Netherlands 

Austria 

Poland 

Portugal 

Romania 

Slovenia 

Slovakia 

Finland 

Sweden 

United 

Non-EU 
Members 

Norway 

Switzerland 

Montenegro 

◊ 

◊ 

◊ 

▼
◊ 

▼
◊
◊
◊
◊
◊
◊
◊
◊
▼
◊
◊
▼
◊
▼
◊
◊
▼
◊
◊
◊
◊
◊
◊

▼ 

▼ 

▼ 

◊
▼ 

▼
▼
▼
▼
◊
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
◊
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
◊

▼ 

◊ 

◊ 

▼
◊ 

▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
◊
▼
▼
◊
◊
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
◊
▼
◊
◊
▼
◊
▼

◊
◊
◊
◊
 ◊ No 

◊
◊
◊
◊

Croatia 
▼ Yes 
■ Yes, before the EU Youth Strategy came into force in January 2010  
● Yes, after the EU Youth Strategy came into force in January 2010 
▲ No, but plans 2012 

 ♦ No, without plans 

◊
◊
◊
◊

102 

♦ 

▼ 

▼ 

▼
▲ 

▲
▼
▼
▼
▲
▲
♦
▼
▼
▼
▲
▲
▼
▲
▼
▼
▲
▲
▲
▲
♦
♦
♦
♦

♦
♦
▲
♦

▼ 

▼ 

▼ 

▼
▼ 

▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
◊
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
◊
▼
▼
▼
◊
◊

◊
◊
◊
▼

 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
EU Member 
States 

Belgium 
German-speaking 

Belgium 
Flemish 

Belgium 
French 

Bulgaria 

Czech Republic 

Denmark 

Germany 

Estonia 

Ireland 

Greece 

Spain 

France 

Italy 

Cyprus 

Latvia 

Lithuania 

Luxembourg 

Hungary 

Malta 

Netherlands 

Austria 

Poland 

Portugal 

Romania 

Slovenia 

Slovakia 

Finland 

Sweden 

United Kingdom 

Non-EU 
Members 

Norway 

Switzerland 

Montenegro 

Croatia 

▼ Yes 

Do youth 
researchers and 
those engaged in 
youth work play a 
role in carrying out 
the structured 
dialogue in your 
country? 

Would your 
Government support 
efforts to enhance 
the visibility and 
transparency of 
structured dialogue at 
national level? 

Based on the experiences 
gained since 2010, does 
your Government feel that 
the format and working 
methods employed at EU 
Youth Conferences 
contribute to a successful 
conduct of structured 
dialogue? 

Based on the experiences 
gained from the first two 
cycles of the structured 
dialogue, does your 
Government have particular 
recommendations for the 
further development of the 
structured dialogue? 

▼ 

▼ 

▼ 

◊
▼
◊
▼
▼
▼
◊
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
◊
▼
▼
◊
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
◊

◊
◊
◊
◊

◊ 

▼ 

▼ 

▼
◊
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
◊
▼
◊
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼

◊
◊
◊
▼

 ◊ No 

◊ 

◊ 

▼ 

▼
▼
▼
◊
▼
▼
▼
◊
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
◊
▼
▼
▼
◊
▼
▼
▼
▼
◊
▼
▼
▼

◊
◊
◊
▼

▼ 

▼ 

▼ 

▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼

◊
◊
◊
▼

103 

 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
12. 

ANNEX 

12.1.  ANNEX 1: Table of abbreviations 

EU Member States86 
BE 

Belgium 

BG 

CZ 

DK 

DE 

EE 

IE 

EL 

ES 

FR 

IT 

CY 

LV 

LT 

LU 

HU 

MT 

NL 

AT 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SI 

SK 

FI 

SE 

UK 

Bulgaria 

Czech Republic 

Denmark  

Germany  

Estonia  

Ireland  

Greece  

Spain  

France  

Italy  

Cyprus  

Latvia  

Lithuania  

Luxembourg  

Hungary  

Malta  

Netherlands  

Austria  

Poland  

Portugal  

Romania  

Slovenia  

Slovakia  

Finland  

Sweden  

United Kingdom 

Non-EU Member States 

86 

Alphabetical order according to country's name in national language. 

104 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
HR 

ME  

NO  

CH  

Croatia 

Montenegro  

Norway  

Switzerland  

Other Abbreviations 

CoE 

Council of Europe 

EACEA 

Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency  

EEA 

EFTA 

European Economic Area 

European Free Trade Association 

EKCYP 

European Knowledge Centre on Youth Policy 

EQF 

ESC 

ESF 

EU 

EU-27 

EVS 

GP 

ICT 

ILO 

MS 

NEET 

NGO 

NQSF 

NWG 

NYC 

OECD 

SALTO 

European Qualifications Framework 

European Steering Committee for the Structured Dialogue 

European Social Fund 

European Union 

27 Member States of the EU 

European Voluntary Service 

General practitioner 

information and communications technology 

International Labour Organisation 

Member State(s) 

Not in Employment, Education or Training 

Non-governmental organisation 

National Quality Standards Framework  

National Working Group 

National Youth Council 

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development  

Support,  Advanced  Learning  and  Training  Opportunities  within  the 
European YOUTH programme – a network of eight resource centres 

South Med 

Southern Mediterranean region 

TFEU 

UN 

Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union 

United Nations 

UNICEF 

United Nations Children's Fund 

VET 

WHO 

YFJ 

Vocational education and training 

World Health Organization 

European Youth Forum 

105 

 
 
 
 
 
12.2.  ANNEX 2: Council Resolutions/Conclusions on youth (2010-2012) 

11 May 2010 

Resolution  of  the  Council  and  of  the  Representatives  of  the  Governments  of  the  Member 
States,  meeting  within  the  Council,  on  the  active  inclusion  of  young  people:  combating 
unemployment and poverty 

OJ C 137, 27.5.2010, pp. 1-6 

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:C:2010:137:0001:0006:EN:PDF 

19 November 2010 

Resolution  of  the  Council  and  of  the  Representatives  of  the  Governments  of  the  Member 
States, meeting within the Council, on youth work 

OJ C 327, 4.12.2010, pp. 1-5 

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:C:2010:327:0001:0005:EN:PDF 

19 November 2010 

Council Conclusions on access of young people to culture 

OJ C 326, 3.12.2010, pp. 2-3 

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:C:2010:326:0002:0003:EN:PDF 

19 November 2010 

Council Conclusions on the European and International Policy Agendas on Children, Youth 
and Children's Rights 

OJ C 326, 3.12.2010, p. 1 

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:C:2010:326:0001:0001:EN:PDF 

19 November 2010 

Council  Conclusions  on  the  Youth  on  the  Move  initiative  –  an  integrated  approach  in 
response to the challenges young people face 

OJ C 326, 3.12.2010, pp. 9-11 

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:C:2010:326:0009:0011:EN:PDF 

19 May 2011 

106 

 
 
 
 
Resolution  of  the  Council  and  of  the  Representatives  of  the  Governments  of  the  Member 
States,  meeting  within  the  Council,  on  the  structured  dialogue  with  young  people  on  youth 
employment 

OJ C 164, 2.6.2011, pp. 1-4 

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:C:2011:164:0001:0004:EN:PDF 

19 May 2011 

Resolution  of  the  Council  and  of  the  Representatives  of  the  Governments  of  the  Member 
States, meeting within the Council, on encouraging new and effective forms of participation 
of all young people in democratic life in Europe 

OJ C 169, 9.6.2011, pp. 1-5 

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:C:2011:169:0001:0005:EN:PDF 

28 November 2011 

Council Conclusions on the Eastern dimension of youth participation and mobility 

OJ C 372, 20.12.2011, pp. 10-14 

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:C:2011:372:0010:0014:EN:PDF  

11 May 2012 

Council Conclusions on fostering the creative and innovative potential of young people 

OJ C 169, 15.6.2012, pp. 1-4 

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:C:2012:169:0001:0004:EN:PDF 

107