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1. How Youth policy is funded

2. What is funded?

3. Financial accountability

4. Use of EU Funds

How Youth policy is funded

Each year, the Flemish Government prepares a draft budget for the forthcoming year. This budget proposal is submitted to the Flemish Parliament and examined in the relevant parliamentary committees. The Flemish Parliament must approve the budget before the government can proceed with its expenditures. The approved budget also includes the financial resources allocated to youth policy. 

In 2026, the proposed budget for the youth programme is about 72,5 million euros. This is about 0,1% of the total budget of the Flemish Government. 

As indicated in the decision of the Flemish Government regarding the Youth and Children’s rights Policy Plan for the Period 2025-2029, the plan had a budget of 777.000 euro in 2025. From 2026 onwards, it has a yearly budget of 1,325 million euros (+ 71%).  

What is funded?

The policy priorities selected in the Youth and Children’s rights Policy Plan for the Period 2025-2029 are: well-being and resilience, space to be young, the path to adulthood and living together in solidarity (see 1.4 Youth policy decision-making).

Financial accountability

Youth organisations play a key role in implementing youth policy in Flanders. They are generally funded through specific subsidy regulations or grant schemes, with the eligibility criteria and types of organisations that may receive funding clearly defined in legislation.

Youth organisations receiving an operational grant under the Youth Decree of 23 November 2023 are required to submit an annual financial report and an auditor’s report to the Flemish administration. The auditor must be a member of the Institute of Auditors. The deadlines and formal requirements for these reports are determined by the Flemish Government.

Use of EU Funds

The Youth and Children’s rights policy Plan (JKP) sets out the Flemish Government’s vision for policies concerning children and young people aged 0 to 30. However, the JKP does not (directly) use funds of the European Union (EU).  

Some youth organisations or youth associations are (partly) supported through the EU funds. As foreseen in the Youth Decree of 23 November 2023, JINT is the intermediary organisation to implement European youth programs (Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps), promote international exchange and cooperation for young people and youth workers, and support the development of youth work and the Flemish youth and children’s rights policy in alignment with European frameworks (cf. see section on the Youth Decree under 1.2 National Youth Law).