There is no unequivocal understanding of young people in the French community of Belgium. There are many different conceptions due to the variety of sectors and decrees that have a bearing on the youth policy field.

Youth policies focus on the promotion of participation of young people by developing a responsible, active and critical citizenship, in a spirit of solidarity. This is implemented through youth associations working with and for young people. There are different kinds of youth associations with their own actions and objectives, working with different aged groups of young people.

With this in mind, 3 to 30 years old is the most commonly adopted age range. More specifically people aged:

• Between 12 and 26 years old are the main target group for youth centres and yputh information centres according to the decree of 20 July 2000; 
• Between 3 and 30 years old are the focus of youth organisations as stated in the decree of 26 March 2009;
• Youth is defined by the Youth Forum decree as the age range between 16 and 30 years old;
• Between 13 and 35 years old are eligible for international mobility programmes organised by the International Youth Office. This is a one-stop service for young people who would like to receive support to realise a project abroad.

Some policies are at the intersection of youth and childhood sector:

• Homework schools are dedicated to children and youngsters aged 6 – 15. They provide after-school spaces and activities to support school work, to promote social integration and to carry out socio-cultural projects according to the decree of 28 April 2004.
• Holiday centres welcome kids from 30 months to 15 years old. Their mission is to contribute to the supervision,  education and the full development of children during school holidays according to the decree of 17 May 1999.

Youth Welfare policies define young people as aged under 18 years old according to the decree of 18 january 20218. 

The inventory of childhood and youth in the French-speaking Community 2020-2022 (état des lieux de l'enfance et de la jeunesse en Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles) offers complete information about the rights, duties and participation opportunities of young people (with ages) in the French-speaking Community.