Legal/policy framework for the functioning and development of youth organisations

The Federal Youth Promotion Act (Bundes-Jugendförderungsgesetz, B-JFG), effective since 2001 and last amended 2018, forms the legal basis for national support of extracurricular youth education and youth work. It aims to promote initiatives that foster the comprehensive intellectual, emotional, physical, social, political, religious, and ethical development of children and young people outside the formal education system (§1). 

Youth organisations, as defined in the Federal Act (§2), are voluntary associations with their own legal personality whose members are predominantly young people and whose main purpose is to represent and promote the interest of young people. Out-of-school youth education and youth work encompasses all relevant educational and training initiatives that complement family upbringing or socialisation in the private sphere of young people’s lives. These initiatives are delivered outside the formal school education system or the services offered by public youth welfare organisations.

Principles of Youth Work

The law identifies as eligible for support those youth work initiatives carried out by youth organisation, initiatives, groups, and open youth work institutions that align with the following principles (§3): 

• Attending to matters of concern to young people and their interests;
• Co-determination and participation of young people in all areas of life;
• Responsibility, independence and promotion of democracy;
• Promotion of innovative processes and projects;
• Personal, physical, emotional and intellectual development of young people;
• Promotion of tolerance, communication, peaceful coexistence and mutual understanding among young people, both domestically and internationally;
• Support for education that promotes communities and human rights;
• Political and citizenship education, as well as religious and ethics-related education for young people;
• Development of young people’s social commitment;
• Promotion of:
  • Lifestyle and health education;
  • Vocational and career education;
  • Generation-related education;
  • Development of the creative powers of young people, in order to facilitate their; active participation in cultural life;
  • Equality between the sexes;
  • Integration of people with disabilities.  

Moreover, the Act sets out the framework for state funding of youth work, guided by federal regulations that define eligible activities (see below 5.6.2), reporting duties and quality standards (see Chapter 10.4). 

Public financial support

The Federal Youth Promotion Act provides public funding for youth organisations at a national level. Funding may be granted to youth organisations, initiatives, groups, and open youth work institutions that support the law’s objectives and principles, operate on a non-profit basis, and align with democratic and human rights values. There are three main types of funding (§5):

• Basic institutional funding for nationally organised youth associations,
• project funding for specific youth work initiatives, and
• funding for special youth-related objectives or projects of broad social relevance. 

Basic funding is granted to nationwide youth organisations that meet the following criteria (§6): 

• Operate in at least five federal provinces with a minimum of 3,000 young members;
• Provide holistic and high-quality youth work;
• Carry out national coordination and youth representation;
• Offer training for volunteers and staff;
• Implement ongoing quality assurance (see Chapter 10.4);
• Do not receive comparable federal funding from another source. 

The annual basic funding amount is membership-based, ranging from around €19,000 to €191,000. Organisations receiving basic funding may apply for additional project funding of the same amount. 

Funding for Party-Political Youth Organisations

Youth organisations affiliated with parties presented in the National Council are financed through a separate scheme linked to the number of parliamentary seats of the parent party, and the youth organisation’s membership numbers. At least 50% of the total funding must be spent on project-based activities. 

Project-Based Funding 

Project grants may also be awarded to:

• Youth organisations, youth initiatives and youth groups with nationwide relevance or pilot character;
• Open youth work providers;
• Projects focusing on priority areas such as:
  • Youth research;
  • International youth programme coordination;
  • Youth information;
  • Youth-specific prevention;
  • Projects of particular youth policy importance. 

The law does not create a legal entitlement to funding. 

Federal youth funding priorities (Bundes-Jugendförderung: Förderschwerpunkte) 

According to § 2(2) of the Guidelines for the Promotion of Out-of-School Youth Education and Youth Work, the federal youth funding programme for 2025-2026 focuses on three thematic priorities:

1. Competences and Qualifications: This priority supports initiatives that strengthen young people’s personal, social and professional skills. Out-of-school youth work contributes to education and career development by providing practical and social learning experiences. These activities promote lifelong learning and enhance preparedness for the working world. Links to Youth Goals: 4 (Information and Constructive Dialogue), 7 (Quality Employment for All) and 8 (Good Learning). Youth Strategy Field: Education and Employment

2. Strengthening Voluntary Engagement: This focus area promotes volunteering as a key form of social participation. Supported measures include training, recognition and awareness-raising activities for voluntary work. Projects aim to empower active volunteers and encourage more young people to participate in community service. Links to Youth Goals: 6 (Advancing Rural Youth), 9 (Spaces and Participation for All) and 11 (Youth Organisations and Programmes). Youth Strategy Field: Participation and Engagement

3. Digital Worlds and Media Competence: This priority addresses the growing relevance of digital literacy. Projects help young people use digital technologies responsibly, creatively, and critically, including understanding artificial intelligence, media functions, and online risks. The goal is to enable young people to benefit from digital opportunities while navigating challenges consciously. Links to Youth Goals: 4 (Information and Constructive Dialogue), 8 (Good Learning) and 9 (Spaces and Participation for All). Youth Strategy Field: Media and Information 

Projects funded under this programme should clearly align with one of these areas, apply sound pedagogical and methodological approaches, and promote participation, gender equality, and the inclusion of disadvantaged groups. The programme targets young people and multipliers up to the age of 30. 

Provincial Funding

Responsibility for extracurricular youth work lies with the federal provinces. Each province operates its own youth funding schemes through the provincial youth departments (Landesjugendreferate). These schemes typically finance:

• Regional and local youth organisations;
• Youth facilities and youth centres, including spaces for participation and project work;
• Outreach and mobile youth work services;
• Training and qualification of youth workers. 

European Funding

Youth organisations can also access European funding, in particular through the Erasmus+ Youth programme. EU funds support international youth exchanges, capacity-building, cross-border cooperation, youth worker training and youth participation projects, including activities under the EU Youth Dialogue.

Initiatives to increase the diversity of participants

Youth organisations address all young people and support and strengthen their development. The principles of youth work include attending to matters of concern to young people and their interests, promoting independence and personal development, supporting education, developing the social commitment of young people and integrating people with disabilities. All projects must be participatory, promote gender equality, and include marginalised or disadvantaged young people.