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1. Governance

2. Main public actors

3. Cross-sectoral cooperation

Denmark is committed to complying with a range of international human rights conventions. Thus, Danish social inclusion policies may have their roots in international agreements, conventions, and treaties that Denmark has signed and ratified, for instance:

• The European Human Rights Convention (1953/1992)
• The European Social Charter (1965)
• The UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)
• The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989)
• The Salamanca Statement (1994)
• The UN Convention of the Right of Persons with Disabilities (2006)
• The UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (1979)
• The UN Convention on Civil and Political Rights (1966)
• The UN convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1966)
• The UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (1965)

Governance

When it comes to the social inclusion of young people, policymaking and implementation involve several sector ministries, agencies, and boards. The overall structure of policy development follows the general Danish model described in section 1.4  on policymaking.

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Housing holds overall responsibility for policy areas of particular relevance to young people, including disadvantaged children and youth, disability policy, civil society, family law, and housing policy. Under this ministry, the

The Danish Authority of Social Services and Housing (Socialstyrelsen) plays a central role in implementing social and welfare policies as intended by the Danish Parliament. The Authority supports municipalities in translating social legislation into practice, provides professional guidance to both municipalities and citizens, and offers specialist consultancy and assessments in complex individual cases. Its work covers a wide range of areas, such as children, young people and families, as well as disabilities, technical aids and psychosocial initiatives.

The Agency of Family Law (Familieretshuset) is also part of this structure and manages cases concerning adoption and child maintenance. Another actor, Kofoed’s School (Kofoeds Skole), provides job training and activation in accordance with labour market and social legislation. The school focuses on pre-rehabilitation and rehabilitation, preparing young people with special challenges to live independently and take part in apprenticeships. It also organises activities for other socially vulnerable groups and cooperates with social centres, job centres, district psychiatry centres, immigrant institutions, hospitals, prisons, and various other organisations.

Several national councils also contribute to policy dialogue and advocacy in the social field. These include The Danish Council on Socially Disadvantaged Adults  (Rådet for socialt Udsatte), the National Council for Children (Børnerådet) and The Danish Disability Council (Det centrale handicapråd) (see section 1.4 youth policy decision making). The Impartial Consultative Service for People with Disabilities (DUKH) provides advice and guidance for persons with disabilities and their families, while the The Social Appeals Board (Ankestyrelsen) functions as an independent state institution handling complaints in social and labour market matters and supervising municipalities and regions.

The Social Investment Fund (Den Sociale Investeringsfond) develops and promotes initiatives across major welfare areas to improve well-being and reduce public expenditure. One of its key priorities is improving the well-being of vulnerable children and young people. Additionally, The Danish Children’s houses (De danske børnehuse) operate as cross-sectoral collaborations between municipalities, hospitals, and the police in cases of suspected abuse of children and young people under 18.

The Ministry of Children and Education is responsible for primary and lower secondary education (ISCED 1 and 2), general and vocational upper secondary education (ISCED 3 and IVET), and adult and continuing education. The Danish Evaluation Institute (EVA) supports this work by evaluating and developing the quality of education from early childhood to higher education. See section 1.6. The Danish Centre for Teaching Environment (Dansk Center for Undervisningsmiljø) serves as a national knowledge centre focusing on learning environments.

Responsibility for equal opportunities lies with the Minister for Equal Opportunities, who coordinates government policies on equal rights and represents Denmark in international forums, including the UN, the EU, and the Nordic Council of Ministers. Each sector ministry is responsible for ensuring equal opportunities within its respective policy area.

The Ministry of the Interior and Health (Indenrigs- og sundhedsministeriet) oversees health policy. The Danish Health Authority (Sundhedsstyrelsen) a national agency under the ministry. The Authority works with local health services, civil society, and private actors to promote well-being, focusing on young people’s health, substance use, nutrition, and mental well-being.

The Ministry of the Interior and Health (Indenrigs- og sundhedsministeriet) is responsible for national health policy, including initiatives that promote the physical and mental well-being of young people. The ministry works to ensure equal access to health services and supports preventive measures addressing issues particularly relevant to youth, such as mental health, substance use, and healthy lifestyles. The Danish Health Authority (Sundhedsstyrelsen), an agency under the ministry, develops and implements programmes that strengthen young people’s health and social inclusion. This includes national campaigns on alcohol and drug prevention, sexual and reproductive health, nutrition, and mental well-being. The National Institute of Public Health (Statens institut for folkesundhed) contributes research and data to inform these policies. See section 7.2

The Ministry of Employment (Beskæftigelsesministeriet) is responsible for national employment policies, including efforts to ensure that young people have equal access to the labour market. Its work includes initiatives targeting youth unemployment, NEETs, and transitions from education to work. The ministry collaborates with municipalities and social partners to promote youth apprenticeships, internships, and early employment programmes, as well as to ensure fair working conditions and workplace safety for young employees.

The Ministry of Immigration and Integration (Udlændinge- og integrationsministeriet) focuses on inclusion and equal opportunities for young people with a migrant or refugee background. Its work supports language learning, civic education, and participation in community life, helping young newcomers integrate into Danish schools, youth education programmes, and the labour market. The Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI), which operates under the ministry, coordinates municipal integration measures and youth-oriented initiatives such as mentorship schemes, anti-discrimination campaigns, and programmes preventing negative social control. Furthermore, the Danish Centre for Prevention of Extremism (Nationalt Center for Forebyggelse af Ekstremisme), also part of SIRI, implements preventive and capacity-building activities for professionals and mentors working with at-risk youth. Its initiatives strengthen local cooperation between schools, youth clubs, and municipalities and aim to prevent radicalisation and social isolation among young people. The National Integration Council (Det Nationale Integrationsråd) provides policy advice to the minister on inclusion challenges affecting young refugees, immigrants, and second-generation youth in Denmark.

The Ministry of Justice (Justitsministeriet) oversees Denmark’s justice system, including the police, prosecution service, courts, and prisons, as well as legislation on foundations and data protection. Since 2019, the Youth Crime Tribunal has handled cases involving children and young people aged 10–17 suspected or convicted of criminal acts. The Tribunal determines appropriate social measures aimed at changing criminal behaviour and is chaired by a judge, with representatives from the police and municipalities. The Youth Prison and Probation Service (Ungekriminalforsorgen) monitors compliance with tribunal decisions and supports the rehabilitation of young offenders.
 

Main public actors

The municipalities have the full responsibility for supplying and financing measures on the social area. The local municipal council (kommunalbestyrelse) has responsibility for the assessment of citizens’ needs, ensuring relevant social measures, and the financing of the measures.

The Crime Prevention Council (Det kriminalpræventive Råd) is a publicly funded member organisation that is engaged in preventing crime and distributing information about crime. The council identifies current threats, develops evidence and knowledge-based solutions, and communicates these solutions to member organisations and local partners. Currently, the council deals with youth crime among other themes.

Other public actors are Centre for Alcohol and Drug Research (Center for rusmiddelforskning) and the Danish Centre for Youth Research (CEFU).

Main non-public actors in the area of social inclusion of young people in Denmark

In Denmark, a wide range of non-public actors are engaged in promoting the social inclusion of young people. These organisations work across areas such as mental health, disability, social support, equality, and youth participation. Among them are the National Association for People with Anxiety (Angst og stressforeningen), Support Base (Baglandet), Better Psychiatry Youth (Bedre Psykiatri) and Break the Silence (Bryd tavsheden). Other key organisations include the Joint Council for Child Issues (Børnesagens fællesråd), Children, Young People and Grief (Børn, unge og sorg), Children’s Welfare (Børns vilkår), and the Danish Children and Youth Psychiatric Society (Børne- og ungdomspsykiatrisk selskab).

The Danish Youth Council (DUF) represents youth organisations at the national level, while other associations such as Placed Children’s Conditions (Foreningen De Anbragtes Vilkår), Hope Young (Hope Ung), Novavi – Young Reverse (Novavi – Ung Revers) and Nest Youth (Reden Ungdom) focus on supporting vulnerable young people. Mental health initiatives are represented by the Danish Association for Mental Health Youth ((Sind Ungdom), the Student Counselling Service (Studenterrådgivningen), and TUBA – Therapy for Young People (TUBA). Likewise, Children and Young People’s Well-being (Foreningen Børn og Unges Trivsel), the Depression Association (Depressionsforeningen), and Headspace contribute to improving young people’s psychological and emotional health.

Other important actors include the RED Centre Against Honour-Related Conflicts (RED Center mod æresrelaterede konflikter), the Association of Greenlandic Children (Foreningen Grønlandske Børn), Girltalk, YMCA’s Social Work (KFUMs sociale arbejde), Equal Status (Ligeværd), and the National Association of Ex-Users of Psychiatry (LAP). Organisations focusing on specific groups include LGBT+ Youth (LBGT+ungdom), Lifeline (Livslinien), the National Association for Eating Disorders and Self-Harm (LMS), and the OCD Association (OCD-foreningen).

In addition, Save the Children (Red Barnet) and Save the Children Youth (Red Barnet Ungdom), Sabaah and SAND – the Danish National Organisation for Homeless People (SAND – De hjemløses landsorganisation) all play a significant role in supporting young people in vulnerable situations. Other actors include the Danish Family Planning Association (Sex og samfund), the Danish Red Cross Youth (Ungdommens Røde Kors), the Social Network (Det Sociale Netværk), and the Valve (Ventilen), all of which work to improve young people’s well-being and social inclusion.

Finally, several umbrella and advisory bodies contribute to promoting rights and inclusion for young people with disabilities or mental health challenges, such as the Danish Disability Organisations (Danske handicaporganisationer), the Central Disability Council (Det Centrale Handicapråd – DCH), the Danish Association for Mental Health (Landsforeningen for psykisk sundhed – SIND), and the Danish Institute for Human Rights (Institut for menneskerettigheder).

General distribution of responsibility

Social inclusion involves several ministries. Each ministry has its own separate remit. See above for a description of the relevant ministries.

The distribution of responsibility in the area of social inclusion resembles the distribution of responsibility on other sector areas. The ministry establishes the overall framework with laws passed in parliament, but the regions and municipalities are free to decide how local measures are designed. The local government (kommunalt selvstyre) in Denmark has a lot of room to manoeuvre for the municipalities as long as they live up to the legislation and ministerial objectives. 

Cross-sectoral cooperation

The risk of marginalisation among young people is often complex and multifaceted, requiring coordinated action across different sectors. For this reason, social inclusion in Denmark relies heavily on cross-sectoral cooperation between ministries. Ministries may, for example, develop joint campaigns or national strategies aimed at improving social inclusion and preventing exclusion.

At the municipal level, several structured forms of cross-sectoral cooperation have been established to ensure early intervention and coordinated support for vulnerable groups. In Denmark, local authorities operate an SSP cooperation (schools, social services and the police), aimed at preventing crime, substance abuse and social exclusion among children and young people. The KSP cooperation (Prison and Probation Service, social services and police) focuses on preventing reoffending and supporting the reintegration of young people who have been in contact with the criminal justice system.

The PSP cooperation (psychiatric services, social services and police) works to prevent crisis situations and ensure coordinated support for vulnerable individuals, including young people with mental health challenges or behavioural difficulties. Similarly, the SSD cooperation (schools, health services and day-care institutions) focuses on early prevention through cooperation between social services, schools, day-care and after-school care personnel, and municipal health staff. This model allows professionals to share relevant information about socially marginalised children and young people to ensure timely support.

 Finally, the PPR service (Educational Psychological Counselling) provides assessments, guidance and support to children and young people with special educational needs or psychological difficulties, in close cooperation with schools and families.