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1. Existence of a National Youth Strategy

2. Scope and contents

3. Responsible authority for the implementation of the Youth Strategy

4. Revisions/updates

Existence of a National Youth Strategy

Since the 2000-2004 term of office, the Flemish Government has been bundling its efforts for children and young people across the policy areas in youth policy plans. From the outset, children's rights have formed one of the foundations of these youth policy plans. In response to the concluding observations of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, the Flemish Government adopted separate Flemish Children's Rights Action Plans in 2004 and 2011. From the 2015-2019 term of office onwards, the efforts for children and young people in all policy areas of the Flemish Government were bundled together into an integrated youth and children's rights policy plan.

The Flemish Youth Decree of 23 November 2023 regulates the instruments for implementing a Flemish youth and children’s rights policy and for supporting Flemish and supra-local youth work. Regarding the main elements and objectives, the Flemish Youth Decree of 23 November 2023 sets four major policy objectives for all children and young people, i.e. equal opportunities for all children and young people; ensuring broad developmental opportunities; creating digital, physical and mental space; and increasing the formal and informal involvement of children and young people in society. One of the instruments to obtain the objectives is the Flemish Youth and Children’s rights policy Plan (Vlaams Jeugd- en Kinderrechtenbeleidsplan, hereafter JKP), submitted by the Flemish Government and approved by the Flemish Parliament. The JKP describes how the four major policy objectives shall be implemented within the framework of three to five priority strategic objectives, selected in the beginning of each new legislative period.

The JKP is coordinated by the Minister for Youth, who also serves as the coordinating minister for the transversal topic of children’s rights. The JKP sets out the Flemish Government’s vision for policies concerning children and young people aged 0 to 30. Within a maximum of six months after taking office, the Flemish Government selects three to five cross-cutting priorities. The plan is structured around these priorities, which are operationalized in objectives, and concrete actions. 

To enable an informed selection of priorities, several steps are taken (which are explained in more detail later-on). The coordinating administration, the Department of Culture, Youth and Media, prepared a context analysis and recommendations, which the Minister for Youth and the Flemish Government used to select the priorities for the 2025–2029 period. In addition, an extensive participatory process was carried out involving the contact persons for youth and children’s rights policy in the departments and agencies of the Flemish Administration, the youth sector, civil society organizations, local authorities, experts including youth researchers, and children and young people themselves.

The JKP is based on cooperation with other Flemish policy domains, as the living conditions of children and young people cannot be divided into isolated themes. The plan emphasizes priorities and seeks connections between different themes to develop an ambitious, robust, and coherent policy. The JKP is also aligned with other transversal policy plans of the Flemish Government, such as the Flemish Action Plan on Poverty Reduction and the Horizontal Equal Opportunities and/or Integration Policy Plan. In this way, a coherent and effective policy framework is created to address the challenges faced by children and young people. The combination of these steps results in the final JKP, each term of office, every five years.

The current Flemish Youth and Children's Rights Policy Plan 2025-2029 (Vlaams Jeugd- en Kinderrechtenbeleidsplan 2025-2029) is the third combined youth and children's rights policy plan and covers the 2025-2029 policy period.

Scope and contents

The JKP tries to serve as an example of participatory policy with extensive involvement from children, young people, their organisations and experts. This JKP policy plan preparation process provides inspiration for future policy processes. Therefore, the preparatory process towards the current JKP 2025-2029 will be outlined in five steps.   

Step 1: the Context Analysis and recommendations in preparation of the JKP

The Context Analysis 2024 – Children and Young People in Flanders and Brussels is a non-exhaustive compilation of recent data and research on Flemish children and young people, prepared by the Department of Culture, Youth and Media. The Youth Research Platform (JOP) and the Children’s Rights Knowledge Centre (KeKi; now STEKR) made substantial contributions based on their respective areas of expertise. This document served as the starting point for the process of drafting the Flemish Youth and Children’s Rights Policy Plan (JKP) 2025–2029. It functions as the reference document for identifying major priority challenges in the lives of children and young people by the Flemish Government.

A next step in this process was taken during a consultation day of relevant stakeholders on December 12^th, 2023. This meeting brought together the members of the recurrent stakeholder meeting between the agencies and departments of the Flemish Government (‘horizontaal overleg’, literally: horizontal consultation) on youth and children’s rights policy, expanded to include additional partners. During this session, challenges were identified based on the context analysis, and participants were given the opportunity to propose adjustments to or further elaboration of that analysis. The Department of Culture, Youth and Media used this input to prepare a final version of the context analysis and translated the identified challenges into initial recommendations.

Based on the context analysis, children’s and human rights frameworks, and other international policy frameworks on the one hand, and two extensive consultation moments with stakeholders on the other, a range of final recommendations were formulated. These recommendations were subsequently submitted to the Flemish Government and the Minister for Youth.

On March 25^th, 2024, an extended horizontal consultation gathered again to assess the recommendations against the following criteria: impact, potential for cross-sectoral cooperation, and urgency. Based on the input of the participants, the recommendations were further refined and finalized. Based on the context analysis, a review of memoranda from various civil society organizations, and the two consultation moments, the department had formulated eight priority themes accompanied by policy recommendations. These themes were subsequently assessed within the framework of the horizontal consultation on youth and children’s rights policy in terms of their potential for cross-sectoral cooperation, impact, and urgency. The following eight (preliminary) themes for the JKP 2025-2029 emerged: a voice for and by young people; well-being and mental health; living together in solidarity; the path to adulthood; space to be young; tailored leisure time; media literacy; and growing up safely.

Step 2: the JKP participation process, for and by young people

As stipulated in the Youth Decree of 23 November 2023, the JKP is developed with the participation of "youth themselves”. To organize this participation, the Department of Culture, Youth and Media designed an intensive policy participation process covering the preparation, implementation, and evaluation of the plan. This process involves not only the contact points for youth and children’s rights policy, intermediary youth organizations, youth workers, local authorities, experts, and researchers, but also gives children and young people a full and meaningful voice. The Participation circle of STEKR (the children’s rights intermediary organisation) was used as a guiding framework to shape the process. It is a low-threshold methodology for systematically and meaningfully integrating the participation of children and young people into policy development. This process is carried out in close cooperation with the Minister for Youth.

The participation process was founded on a shared vision of participation. Deliberate efforts were made to develop a common language, align expectations, and build strong support within the department and the wider network. A “dual-track approach” was adopted, combining both direct and indirect participation. 

• Indirect participation: the voice of children and young people addressed to the Flemish Government, represented by experts and professionals in working groups and meetings.
• Direct participation: the voice of children and young people addressed to the Flemish Government, communicated directly to policymakers through workshops or other methods.

The approach was tailored to the context, target group, and, above all, the specific phase of the process. In the phase leading up to and immediately following the formation of a new Flemish Government, relevant input was gathered to inform the recommendations. These recommendations were formulated at a general level and are intended to support and guide the Flemish Government in selecting priorities for the future Youth and Children’s Rights Policy Plan. This phase was grounded in practice, current needs, and a forward-looking focus on sustainability. Prior to the selection of priorities, the decision was made to concentrate on indirect participation. Direct engagement with children and young people was not pursued at that stage, as it could not be guaranteed that their input would be incorporated into the JKP (because, in the end, the priorities are selected by the Flemish Government). The Department of Culture, Youth and Media organized several consultation moments with professionals and relevant stakeholders working with and for children and young people. As representatives of children and young people, they were asked to contribute their knowledge and expertise to shaping the recommendations. These consultations included meetings with the Youth Information Commission of De Ambrassade, the Broad Youth Policy Commission of Bataljong, the Flemish Youth Council, the Youth Work Commission, and a consultation session during an event on inclusive leisure for youth on December 5^th, 2024. In parallel, a survey was launched targeting Flemish government staff, youth work professionals, youth officers, researchers, and others, to assess the relevance of the themes and recommendations, to identify gaps, to suggest areas for research, and to explore potential target groups for specific actions.

The department compiled the input from this process into an extensive briefing note for the minister’s cabinet. In this way, the minister was informed and a broadly supported and well-substantiated decision on the priorities for the JKP was reached. 
The direct participation with children and young people will be discussed in step 4.

Step 3: the selection of four final priorities for the JKP

The Flemish Government selected four priorities, which form the pillars of the Youth and Children’s Rights Policy Plan (JKP) 2025–2029:

• Well-being and resilience: within this priority, a strong emphasis is placed on the resilience and adaptability of children and young people in a constantly changing world. As the social lives of children and young people also take place online, this priority includes attention to the digital living environment.
• Space to be young: children and young people should be able to thrive in a safe and healthy environment that they can explore freely. This has a positive impact on their well-being and development. The focus is on sustainable, traffic-safe, and liveable spaces that meet their needs.
• The path to adulthood: choosing a field of study, entering the labour market, finding quality housing, and growing independence all pose significant challenges. This priority aims to better support young people through these major transitions, across policy domains. It pays particular attention to young people in socially vulnerable situations, such as young people leaving youth care or with a disability.
• Living together in solidarity: children and young people need inclusive leisure opportunities and social connection in our superdiverse society. Every child and young person has the right to fully develop and express their own identity.

Step 4: concretising the objectives and actions of the JKP (within the four priorities)

After the Flemish Government selected the priorities, a new phase was launched. In this phase, two tracks were pursued—one of direct participation and one of indirect participation—tailored to the context and target groups. 

For each priority, working groups were established, composed of representatives from various policy domains, local authorities, and (intermediary) organizations. These working groups supported the horizontal consultation, which played a key role throughout the entire process in terms of input and coordination

In addition, children and young people themselves were given the opportunity at this stage to contribute to the further development of the priorities. This was organized in cooperation with the Children’s Rights Knowledge Centre (KeKi; now STEKR). Together with the department, KeKi (now STEKR) developed a methodology based on the previously established Participation circle. At this point, the priorities to be included in the JKP had been clearly identified, making it possible to engage in focused dialogue based on the selected themes.

The JKP is grounded in a children’s rights reflex. As a result, particular emphasis is placed on realizing the rights of children and young people in socially vulnerable situations. Within the direct participation track, special attention was given to underrepresented or “less-heard” groups of children and young people. These groups were selected based on input from the previous phase. This resulted in the identification of ten target groups of children and young people who are often underrepresented in policy. Where possible, an intersectional approach was applied, recognizing that identity consists of multiple, intersecting dimensions. For each of these target groups, the department collaborated with a civil society partner. An interactive workshop was organized for each group of children and young people:

• (Chronically) ill children and young people and/or those with care needs
• Unaccompanied children and young people on the move, with a focus on minors
• Children and young people in or leaving youth care (including residential and closed institutions)
• Children and young people in situations of homelessness
• Children and young people identifying as LGBTQIA+ (including gender identity), with an intersection with ethnicity/migration background
• Children and young people living in poverty, with an intersection with ethnicity/migration background
• Children and young people with disrupted school trajectories, with an intersection with ethnicity/migration background
• Children and young people on the move, with a focus on Roma communities
• Very young children: third year of kindergarten and third grade of primary education
• Children and young people with disabilities: children and youth in residential settings

The perspectives shared by children and young people during these workshops and the input from the indirect participation (working groups) were formulated into objectives and actions within the four established priorities.

Step 5: feedback to stakeholders about the JKP process and final JKP

An important part of the process consisted of providing feedback about the JKP process to all stakeholders involved, including children and young people. All stakeholders were kept informed throughout, in ways appropriate to their role and to the specific phase of the process.

• Contact points for youth and children’s rights policy in each Flemish policy department or agency:
  • were invited to the horizontal consultation for updates on the JKP (process);
  • were informed of key milestones by email;
  • were invited to the JKP launch event.
• Intermediary organizations, sector representatives, civil society actors, and other experts:
  • were invited to working groups to further elaborate on the priorities;
  • were informed of key milestones by email;
  • were invited to the JKP launch event.
• Children and young people:
  • received, via partner organizations, a video in which the minister expressed her appreciation and thanks for their contributions;
  • were informed, via partner organizations, about the further progress of the process and invited to the JKP launch event;
  • were informed, via partner organizations, about the final JKP and its content;
  • were offered, via partner organizations, an explanation of the process and how their input was ultimately used.

By systematically following the steps of the Participation circle of KeKi (now STEKR), the Department of Culture, Youth and Media was able to develop a policy plan, based on the consultation of all relevant stakeholders. On September 19th, 2025, the JKP received political validation. This marked the starting point for the next four years of implementation, translating the objectives and actions into practice. Policy participation and feedback to all stakeholders will remain an important focus throughout the further implementation of the JKP.

The current Flemish Youth and Children's Rights Policy Plan 2025-2029 (Vlaams Jeugd- en Kinderrechtenbeleidsplan 2025-2029) is the third combined youth and children's rights policy plan.

Responsible authority for the implementation of the Youth Strategy

The public authorities taking part in the implementation of the youth strategy are the Flemish Government, the Ministry in Charge of Youth, the Department of Culture, Youth and Media (more specifically the Department of Youth), other ministries and offices, as well as local authorities at municipal level and – although technically not ‘authorities’ - a wide variety of stakeholders and organisations in policy, practice and research (e.g., organisations subsidised by the Youth Decree of 23 November 2023).

The entire Flemish Government is responsible for implementing the Flemish Youth and Children’s Rights Policy plan (JKP). Some of its most important tasks regarding youth policy and youth work are the preparation, execution and evaluation of policy, following legislation, and the regulation and financing of youth work (cf. Youth Decree of 23 November 2023). The Flemish Government consists of ten ministers, who are in office for a five-year term. Youth governance and policy are under the competence of the Flemish Minister Melissa Depraetere who is in office since 30 September 2024. She is also the vice-Minister-President of the Flemish Government and Flemish Minister of Housing, Energy and Climate, Tourism (and Youth). Since 2004, the Flemish Government has allocated the ‘coordination of the children’s rights policy’ (now including the coordination of the Flemish Youth and Children’s Rights Policy Plan) and responsibility for ‘youth’ to the minister of youth.

There are also other national public bodies directly involved in youth governance and policies, such as the JKP. For instance, there is the Parliament Commission in charge of youth issues, namely the Commission for Culture, Youth, Sport and Media. In the area of youth, this commission is responsible for: 1/ youth policy and film classification; 2/ continuous education and cultural development; 3/ leisure activities (except for tourism); and 4/ the coordination of children’s rights policy.

The Department of Culture, Youth and Media - including Team Youth (cf. 1.4 Youth Policy Decision Making; the National Youth Agency) - is responsible for implementing the Flemish government's youth and children's rights policy and for the evaluation of the Youth and Children’s Rights Policy Plan. The Department supports youth associations through operational and project subsidies. They coordinate the development of the Flemish youth policy plan and closely monitor international youth and children's rights policy. The Department of Youth supports the subsidization of the youth sector, the recognition of youth organizations, the training and certification of staff, the (inexpensive) rental of camping equipment, the development of cultural and youth infrastructure, cultural education, and the provision of projects and tools for the youth sector. 

Besides the Department of Culture, Youth and Media, all the Flemish policy departments and the internal and external independent agencies of the Flemish Administration must appoint an official Point of contact with regards to policy on the rights of youth and children (cf. Youth Decree of 23 November 2023, Article 6). The role of these contact persons for the youth and children's rights policy is as follows: 1/ to contribute to the creation of future Flemish youth policy plans; 2/ to provide monitoring and reporting on the implementation of the International Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Flemish Youth Policy Plan (JKP); and 3/ to estimate the impact on children and young people and their rights of the policy prepared or implemented by their department or agency. This is an example of how the Youth Strategy is integrated in overall Flemish Policy.

In addition to the Points of contact, also the Flemish Youth Council and four intermediary organisations (De Ambrassade, STEKR, Bataljong, JINT) have an important contribution to the implementation of the national youth policy.(cf. Youth Decree of 23 November 2023, Article 9-13).

Finally, local public authorities also have competences in the youth field. Five provinces and 300 local authorities fall within the administrative supervision of the Flemish Region. Since the Flemish Parliament Act on local and provincial youth (work) policy came into force in 1993, steps were taken towards a decentralised and complementary youth policy. Most local authorities nowadays have youth services or at least one officer who is responsible for youth matters. Bataljong supports children’s and youth participation in local youth policy, assists local youth officers and aldermen, and promotes knowledge, quality, and innovation in the field (cf. Youth Decree of 23 November 2023, Article 12). The Youth Decree also supports the subsidisation of inter-municipal partnerships on the one hand and local youth councils on the other hand.
 

Revisions/updates

The current Flemish Youth and Children's Rights Policy Plan 2025-2029 (Vlaams Jeugd- en Kinderrechtenbeleidsplan 2025-2029) is the third combined youth and children's rights policy plan. The priorities of the previous youth and children's rights policy plan (2020-2024) were:

• Well-being and positive identity development
• Healthy and livable neighbourhoods
• Engagement in society (voluntary commitment)
• Inclusive and high-quality leisure time
• Media literacy and critical citizenship