Main inclusive Youth-Work programmes and target groups

Youth work, among other things, provides young people with opportunities to actively participate in society, helps them acquire and develop the skills necessary for everyday life, and promotes peace, tolerance, and intercultural learning (European Commission, 2017).

From 2025 onwards, youth work in Hungary operates through three main organisational models. These include grassroots ('bottom-up') youth communities, a wide range of civil society organisations—often supported by state or EU funding—and a centrally coordinated form of youth work overseen by the Ministry of Culture and Innovation (Kulturális és Innovációs Minisztérium).

In spring 2025, the National Youth Council (Nemzeti Ifjúsági Tanács) launched a nationwide consultation series called National Youth Strategy Roadshow ('Mit Szólsz Hozzá? Roadshow'). The roadshow events were closely aligned with youth work practices, creating informal spaces for dialogue between young people, youth workers, and decision-makers. These events contribute to strengthening participation, human rights, and civic and European values.

A ministerial decree established the Integrated Community and Service Spaces (integrált közösségi szolgáltató tér). These places offer opportunities for organising youth community programmes and can serve as youth information points and support local youth work (fore more information, see 10.3).

From September 2018, the Family and Child Welfare Centres should ensure the pre-school and school social services [Act XXXI of 1997 on Child Protection (1997. évi XXXI. törvény a gyermekek védelméről és a gyámügyi igazgatásról)]. The aim is to prevent the vulnerability of children. These centres cooperate with the nurseries and schools. The centres also provide a service of school social workers, whose role includes supporting the development of children; health development activities; preventing vulnerability of children; assisting in addressing the existing risk situation; and shaping and maintaining the cooperation between social, educational and health care actors. The social workers use psychological and social interventions for young people who are at risk or have problems.

School community service, which is a 50–hour compulsory social or environmental protection activity pre-requisite for graduation in secondary education (iskolai közösségi szolgálat), could be considered an effective form of inclusive youth work. (For more information on the school community service, see 9.4)