Governance

Key actors involved in policymaking

Youth social inclusion in Austria is governed through a multi-actor approach involving both public and non-public entities. The Department for Families and Youth at the Federal Chancellery (Bundeskanzleramt, Sektion für Familie und Jugend) is the main governmental authority responsible for youth social inclusion. It coordinates, develops and implements policies targeting young people. The Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection spearheads broader social inclusion initiatives related to social security and welfare, while the Federal Ministry of Education prioritises educational initiatives that foster inclusion.

Other key public actors include regional and local authorities, specialised agencies and various public institutions. Non-public actors also play a crucial role: social partners such as the Chamber of Labour (Arbeiterkammer), the Austrian Trade Union Federation (Österreichischer Gewerkschaftsbund, ÖGB), the Austrian Economic Chambers (Wirtschaftskammer Österreich, WKÖ) and the Austrian Chamber of Agriculture (Landwirtschaftskammer, LKO) are consulted on legislative proposals and actively contribute to policy development. The Austrian National Youth Council (Bundesjugendvertretung) represents the interests of young people and must be consulted on all laws affecting youth. Additionally, private associations and organisations provide essential support and services in the field of youth social inclusion.

General distribution of responsibilities

Responsibilities for youth social inclusion and broader social security are distributed across different levels of government. At the federal level, the central government is primarily responsible for social security and general benefits, as well as overarching policy frameworks. The federal provinces (Länder), municipalities and cities are responsible for implementing a wide range of social services, including healthcare, housing, childcare facilities and means-tested minimum benefits. This multi-level governance system ensures that policies are adapted to regional needs while maintaining national coherence. Due to the cross-sectoral nature of social inclusion, cooperation between federal, provincial and local authorities is essential for the effective implementation of policies and delivery of services.

Cross-sectorial cooperation

A central pillar of Austria’s national youth strategy is its commitment to the four fields of action and associated youth goals that address the social inclusion of young people (see Chapter 1.3). This commitment is realised through a cross-sectoral approach involving all levels of government and a wide range of stakeholders (see Chapter 1.5). Each federal ministry is required to define and pursue youth-related goals relevant to its area of responsibility. These include improving access to education and basic skills (Youth Goal by Ministry of Education), supporting entry into the labour market, ensuring adequate housing, establishing supportive environments that enable young people to confidently navigate crises and strengthen their self-efficacy and resilience (Youth Goal (Jugendziel) by Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism), encouraging active participation in society. Particular focus is given to reducing the risk of exclusion for the most vulnerable young people.

These goals are implemented through coordinated efforts at federal, provincial and municipal levels. While multiple ministries may collaborate to address complex youth issues, provincial youth departments (Landesjugendreferate) adapt national strategies to local circumstances. They manage youth centres, support mobile youth work and oversee youth information services. They also provide essential funding to local organisations and municipalities. Youth organisations and open youth work are indispensable in this landscape as they can reach disadvantaged groups, including those from challenging family backgrounds, those with migrant backgrounds, those experiencing economic difficulties, and those with disabilities. They achieve this by offering access to non-formal education, promoting social rights, and encouraging societal participation. They are also increasingly providing targeted support for labour market integration, such as assistance with CV writing and formal education certification. 

Cross-sectoral cooperation is further strengthened by committees and working groups that bring together stakeholders from all levels of government and civil society. Notably, the National Working Group on Youth Dialogue and Youth Participation (Nationale Arbeitsgruppe Jugenddialog und Jugendbeteiligung, NAG) serves as a central platform where federal and provincial authorities, alongside other key youth policy stakeholders, collaborate on youth-related issues and promote the societal participation and inclusion of young people in all aspects of Austrian life.