Implementation of the third Strategic Plan on Youth

On 1 January, 2023, the implementation phase of the third Strategic Plan on Youth (Dritter Jugendstrategieplan) has begun. The Strategic Plan on Youth is a policy document which has its legal basis in the Decree of 6 December 2011 on the Promotion of Youth Work (Dekret vom 06. Dezember 2011 zur Förderung der Jugendarbeit).

The thematic priorities of the third Strategic Plan on Youth are civic participation, digitalisation, emotions and self-image and the sustainable development of East-Belgium as a living space. To determine these focal points, as a first step, the situation of young people in the German-speaking Community had been analysed. The next step was the elaboration of an action plan with defined objectives, measures and projects. To this end, young people and relevant organisations had been invited to share their ideas, suggestions and needs. 

The whole process is being supported by a steering group made up of representatives of the Government of the German-speaking Community (Regierung der Deutschsprachigen Gemeinschaft), of the Ministry of the German-speaking Community (Ministerium der Deutschsprachigen Gemeinschaft), of the Youth Office (Jugendbüro), of the Council of the German-speaking Youth (Rat der Deutschsprachigen Jugend, RDJ) and of Youth Info (Jugendinfo). The task of the steering group is to draw up the priorities and measures for the Strategic Plan on Youth and then monitor their implementation.

For further information on the Strategic Plan on Youth, please also consult 1.3 - National youth strategy.

Youth Report

The Youth Report is a study on the life situation of young people between the ages of 10 and 30 in East Belgium. The study focuses on the current life situation, the everyday context and the problems faced by young people. Its aim is to recognise the current challenges and perspectives and to draw up recommendations for policy action on this basis.The results of the youth report influence the Strategic Plan on Youth. This defines the priorities of East Belgian youth policy and financially supports projects for young people in these areas.

The steering group for the youth report is made up of representatives from the Ministry of the German-speaking Community (Ministerium der Deutschsprachigen Gemeinschaft) and Government of the German-speaking Community (Regierung der Deutschsprachigen Gemeinschaft) as well as other representatives from the youth sector. The Council of the German-speaking Youth (Rat der Deutschsprachigen Jugend, RDJ) is also a member of the steering group for the Youth Report and can therefore contribute to the selection of topics and the development of content.

The first Youth Report covered youth-relevant topics and issues for which no data or research was previously available. This allows to enable regular and long-term reporting on the living situation of young people in East Belgium. It also identified topics and indicators that should be included in every Youth Report which should make it possible to compare data and facts over a longer period of time. The first Youth Report thus provided a broad analysis that serves as a basis for further studies.

The second Youth Report focussed primarily on the well-being of young people, more precisely in the areas of family, leisure, finances, health and school. It also took up aspects from the first youth report. It compared its figures with current ones in order to reveal changes in the lives of young people in East Belgium.

Youth Check

In 2008, the Government of the German-speaking Community commissioned the development of a Regional Development Concept (Regionales Entwicklungskonzept, REK). Based on a structured discussion with all interested groups and individuals, the aim of the concept is to develop a harmonised blueprint for the future of the German-speaking community and to set out the measures with which the Community can meet current and future challenges. 

The third implementation phase of the Regional Development Concept (Regionales Entwicklungskonzept III, REK III) runs from 2019-2024. The Youth 2025+ (Jugend 2025+) project, which is included in the third implementation phase of the REK, aims to further develop and more firmly anchor youth-related topics in all policy areas. The aim is to systematically improve the living conditions of young people in East Belgium. One of the defined goals of the ‘Youth 2025+’ project is the introduction of a youth check. This check is intended to enable more generation-appropriate policy-making. The aim is to put the topic of youth on the political agenda in all areas and raise awareness among decision-makers regarding the impact of potential measures on the younger generation. The Youth Check project is currently in the pilot and evaluation phase, which will expire at the end of 2024.