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1. Legal/policy framework for the functioning and development of youth organisations

2. Public financial support

3. Initiatives to increase the diversity of participants

Legal/policy framework for the functioning and development of youth organisations

The legal framework for the functioning and support of all types of organisations in Denmark is described in section 2.1. There is no single legal framework specifically for youth organisations in Denmark. Youth organisations operate as independent, non-governmental associations under the general principles of Danish association law (“den almindelige foreningsret”), which derive from constitutional rights, case law, and customary practice rather than from a specific statute.

Youth organisations that receive public funding are regulated by additional legislation and ministerial orders that specify their financial reporting and eligibility criteria. The main frameworks include The Act on the Distribution of Profits from the National Lottery and Football Pools (Udlodningsloven, LOV nr 1532 af 19/12/2017), which regulates how public lottery funds (“udlodningsmidlerne”) are distributed to youth and sports organisations through the Danish Youth Council (DUF). Act on Auditing of Grants to DUF and Youth Initiatives (BEK nr. 1753 of 21/12/2006) sets the financial control standards for youth organisations receiving public grants. The Executive Order on Operational Support to National Children and Youth Organisations (BEK nr. 495 of 29/05/2016) defines eligibility and documentation requirements for national youth organisations applying for operational support.

In addition, some sector-specific acts mention youth organisations explicitly provides funding rules for local youth associations offering non-formal education or leisure activities through municipalities, for example the Act on Public Information and Civic Education (Folkeoplysningsloven).

The Danish Youth Council (DUF) distributes national funding to children and youth organisations. See section 5.3.

Public financial support

See section section 2.1

Initiatives to increase the diversity of participants

A range of national and civil society initiatives aim to increase the diversity of young people participating in associations, leisure activities and non-formal education in Denmark. Several of these initiatives focus on reaching young people who are underrepresented in organised communities, including ethnic minorities, socially marginalised youth, and young people with fewer opportunities.

In 2020, the Danish Youth Council (Dansk Ungdoms Fællesråd, DUF) and the Tuborg Foundation entered into a three-year strategic partnership titled “All young people included in the community”. The partnership focused on developing new methods to strengthen inclusion in DUF’s member organisations. As part of this collaboration, DUF and the Tuborg Foundation launched a national campaign in August 2020 highlighting the value of youth associations and addressing which groups of young people are included in organised communities and which are underrepresented. Young people from different youth organisations shared their experiences and reflections, with particular attention to ethnic minority youth and socially marginalised young people.

At the national level, the Ministry of Culture has supported initiatives aimed at broadening participation in non-formal education and leisure activities. In November 2019, the Ministry of Culture launched a national pool of funding for non-formal general adult education projects (folkeoplysning) projects seeking to engage new participants. Funded projects were required to reach new target groups, for example by making activities more relevant to a wider audience or by organising activities in new formats or settings. The total funding allocated to this pool amounted to DKK 2.8 million.

Diversity is also a strategic focus area within the Association of the Danish Folk High Schools. Its diversity efforts include the collection and sharing of knowledge and experiences, the establishment of networks among folk high schools, cooperation with organisations, educational institutions and businesses, the integration of diversity as a pedagogical theme, and targeted communication. These initiatives particularly target young people with a migrant background, refugees with legal residence in Denmark, and young people at risk of early leaving from education and training (ELET).

In the field of sport and physical activity, the Danish Gymnastics and Sports Associations (DGI) published an inclusion strategy in 2020. The strategy focuses on people with minority backgrounds, vulnerable children and young people, and individuals with fewer opportunities. As part of the strategy, DGI provides local sports associations with inspiration for outreach activities and offers financial support to reduce economic barriers. Children and young people under the age of 25 may, for example, receive financial support to cover membership fees and participation in sports camps.

The Ministry of Culture has also supported cultural inclusion initiatives. In 2019, the ministry established the fund “The Cultural Bridge” which supports projects enabling children and young people living in socioeconomically disadvantaged housing areas to participate in art and cultural activities. The aim of the fund is both to develop new methods in the cultural field and to strengthen cooperation between relevant actors. In addition, the ministry set up a dedicated fund to promote the inclusion of people with special needs or socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds in local sports associations, with total funding amounting to DKK 19.2 million.

At the local level, some municipalities offer a leisure pass (fritidspas) to young people who would otherwise be unable to participate in leisure activities. The leisure pass provides financial support for expenses such as membership fees, equipment, participation in camps, and transportation. The annual support typically amounts to DKK 1,000 per young person.

Several civil society organisations also play a key role in promoting inclusive participation. Broen Danmark (Bridge Denmark) supports marginalised children and young people by covering participation fees and providing sports equipment, enabling them to take part in organised leisure activities alongside their peers. Dfunk Sport, run by Dansk Flygtningehjælp Ungdom (the youth section of the Danish Refugee Council), organises sports teams, tournaments and outdoor activities that bring together young people with refugee or migrant backgrounds and young people with Danish backgrounds.

Finally, Game Denmark, founded in 2002, works to create lasting social change through youth-led street sports and culture. GAME establishes innovative facilities and trains young volunteers, known as Playmakers, who act as instructors and role models. Through activities such as street basketball, street football, street dance and parkour, GAME engages young people in underserved communities in Denmark and internationally.