Youth Policy in France

Youth policies in France aim to promote the social, professional and civic inclusion of young people, while supporting their protection, autonomy and educational development. These objectives have long been priorities of French public policy.

Although there is no single, permanent model of youth policy, youth remains a consistent priority of government action. Policy orientations evolve according to the priorities of successive governments, but they are based on a comprehensive approach involving the State, local and regional authorities, and stakeholders working directly with young people.

At the national level, youth policy falls under the responsibility of the ministry in charge of youth affairs. Within this ministry, the Directorate for Youth, Non-Formal Education and Voluntary Organisations (Direction de la Jeunesse, de l'Éducation populaire et de la Vie associative - DJEPVA) is responsible for the design, coordination, steering and evaluation of public policies relating to young people, civic engagement, non-formal education and voluntary organisations.

The interministerial dimension is a key feature of French youth policy. In this capacity, the Interministerial Delegate for Youth coordinates actions carried out by the various ministries for the benefit of young people and ensures their mobilisation within the framework of the Interdepartmental Youth Committee. This governance mechanism aims to ensure the coherence and complementarity of public policies affecting young people in a wide range of areas, including education, employment, health, housing, mobility and civic participation.

Furthermore, the implementation of youth policy relies on close cooperation between the national and territorial levels:

• State decentralised services are responsible for implementing youth policies throughout metropolitan and overseas France.

• At the regional level, the Regional Academic Delegations for Youth, Engagement and Sports (Délégations régionales académiques à la jeunesse, à l’engagement et aux sports - DRAJES), operating under the authority of the Regional Academic Rector, coordinate youth, civic engagement and sports policies. They also facilitate dialogue with institutional and civil society partners.

• At the departmental level, the Departmental Services for Youth, Engagement and Sports (Services départementaux à la jeunesse, à l’engagement et aux sport - SDJES), operating under the authority of the Academic Director of National Education Services (Directeur académique des services de l’Éducation nationale - DASEN), are responsible for supporting, coordinating and implementing youth policies in close cooperation with local stakeholders and communities.