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YouthWiki

EACEA National Policies Platform
Denmark

Denmark

1. Youth Policy Governance

Last update: 6 December 2024

In Denmark, the government defines the overarching political strategies, and the legal framework is passed by the parliament. 

The two lower levels of government, the regions and the municipalities, are responsible for providing a broad spectrum of social services.

Denmark does not have a youth law, a youth minister, or a national agency for youth. Instead, youth policy in Denmark is integrated into other relevant policy areas, where several strategies target the youth population. Youth related legislation is implemented in a range of ministries. For instance, the Ministry of Children and Education has the responsibility for lower and upper secondary education, as well as vocational education and training. The Ministry of Higher Education and Science is responsible for short, medium-term and long higher education.  The Ministry of Culture is responsible for strategies and legislation making libraries, media and art accessible for young people. The ministry is also responsible for an extensive support system within sports and leisure activities. The Ministry of Justice is responsible for drafting legislation and developing policy proposals on crime prevention and prosecution related to young people. The Ministry of the Interior and Health is responsible for strategies and legislation related to health promotion among young people, including mental health. The Ministry of Social Affairs, Housing and Senior Citizens is responsible for legislation targeting disadvantaged and socially excluded young people, and housing. The Ministry of Employment is responsible for legislation related to working conditions and social security for unemployed young people. The Ministry of Immigration and Integration develops strategies for the integration of young people of foreign descent, including prevention of integration combative social control.

The five regions are responsible for coordinating the provision of youth education. They coordinate the supply of vocational education and upper secondary education, to ensure that there is a varied range of educational opportunities throughout the country.

At the local level, the 98 municipalities must develop a coherent youth policy that contributes to young people’s development, well-being and independence  (The Child’s Act; Barnets lov). Furthermore, it is a requirement that the municipalities establish a coherent, coordinated youth effort across the education, employment and social areas for young people under the age of 25 without a youth education.

The youth policy must ensure a connection between the general and preventive measures and the measures aimed at young people with special needs. The youth policies include secondary schools, healthcare, leisure activities, including leisure clubs and the leisure-based Youth School, support of sports- and leisure activities provided by the voluntary sector, and special needs measures.

As municipalities fix and levy local taxes themselves, they have various options in adjust­ing their social services to local conditions. This means that in some areas, welfare services may differ because of different priorities and available funding. In others, the standard is set by national legislation.