Forthcoming developments

For the 2024–2029 term, the Minister for Youth has launched the “Youth Pathway” initiative. It sets out four thematic workstreams:

Theme 1: Promote and enhance the visibility of young people’s voluntary engagement.
Theme 2: Equip frontline youth workers and organizations with tools to support young people’s mental health and well-being.
Theme 3: Support the opening and availability of campsites and camp facilities.
Theme 4: Raise awareness of media literacy and media education.

Ongoing debates

Advocacy for a Cross-Sectoral Youth Strategy

The Youth Forum (the official youth representation body) is calling for a genuine, coordinated action plan. The debate focuses on the need to involve young people more meaningfully in political decision-making and to improve coordination across areas such as social support, employment, and education, which are often fragmented across different levels of government. 

End of subsidies for political youth organisations

In the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, the announced end of subsidies for political youth organisations has sparked intense debate. The government (MR–Les Engagés) has decided to abolish their recognition and funding in order to combat “double financing” of political parties and achieve budget savings. This measure not yet implemented is heightening political tensions.

Restructuration of Educational secondment (détachement pédagogique)

Educational secondment allows a teacher (permanent staff member) to temporarily leave their classroom in order to carry out another assignment (media education, project coordination, training, etc.), while retaining their employment status, seniority, and teacher’s salary. Educational secondment has long benefited youth organisations. The Government plans to restructure this mechanism in order to address the shortage of teachers in schools. (Draft decree – programme decree containing various provisions relating to Education, Culture, School Buildings, University Hospitals, Youth, Public Administrative Bodies, Equal Opportunities, and Scientific Research.)