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1. Governance

2. Cross-sectorial cooperation

Governance

The governance of youth participation in global policy processes is characterised by a centralised model, in which strategic direction is set at the national level, while international representation and implementation are shared among specific ministries and public foundations.

Governmental authorities

Currently, the Deputy State Secretariat for Young People in the Ministry of Culture and Innovation (Kulturális és Innovációs Minisztérium) is responsible for youth affairs in the government. In addition, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Külgazdasági és Külügyminisztérium) is also involved (as it regularly concludes bilateral agreements that include cooperation in the youth field).

There are other deputy secretariats in the Ministry of Culture and Innovation that are relevant in the field of youth policy, such as the Deputy State Secretariat for Family Affairs; the Deputy State Secretariat for Vocational Training; the Deputy State Secretariat for Public Collections and Cultural Development and the Deputy State Secretariat for Arts and Community Cultural Affairs.

Main public actors

There are various important actors in the field of youth policy, such as the National Youth Council (Nemzeti Ifjúsági Tanács); the Hungarian Youth Conference (Magyar Ifjúsági Konferencia); the Tempus Public Foundation and the Educational Authority (Oktatási Hivatal).

Main non-public actors

The role of non-public actors is to represent the Hungarian students in higher education. The most important organisations are the National Organisation of Student Self-governing Bodies (Hallgatói Önkormányzatok Országos Konferenciája) and Association of Hungarian PhD and DLA Students (Doktoranduszok Országos Szövetsége). For more information on the public and non-public actors, see 5.3.

General distribution of responsibilities

The governance of youth policy in Hungary is characterised by a highly centralised, top-down structure. At the national level, the government manages the policy-making and the overarching legal framework, most notably the Volunteer Act (Önkéntes törvény). Currently, the Ministry of Culture and Innovation (Kulturális és Innovációs Minisztérium) (specifically the Deputy State Secretariat for Youth) is responsible for youth affairs. This level oversees the allocation of national grants and the management of international mobility schemes, such as Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps, typically through the Tempus Public Foundation.

At the regional and local level, while the Act XXXI of 1997 on Child Protection (1997. évi XXXI. törvény a gyermekek védelméről és a gyámügyi igazgatásról) and the Act CLXXXIX of 2011 on Local Governments of Hungary (2011. évi CLXXXIX. törvény Magyarország helyi önkormányzatairól) mandate municipalities to address youth-related duties, these responsibilities are generally localised. Local authorities primarily focus on operational tasks, such as maintaining youth community spaces, funding local sports clubs, or organising seasonal events.

Their engagement with global issues remains marginal. Participation in global processes is mostly restricted to traditional 'sister city' cooperation or acting as host partners for EU-funded mobility projects. There is a notable absence of dedicated regional administrative bodies focused specifically on global youth policy or international development education.

Cross-sectorial cooperation

In Hungary, cross-sectoral cooperation regarding youth participation in global issues is primarily thematic and project-based rather than governed by a single, permanent inter-ministerial body.

At the national level, the responsibilities and tasks of youth participation and engagement on global issues are divided between ministries, state secretariats, deputy state secretariats and the organisations mentioned above. Relevant rules, regulations and guidelines are integrated into existing policies on education, youth affairs, and volunteering.

Cross-sectoral cooperation plays an important role in the cooperation between the National Youth Council (Nemzeti Ifjúsági Tanács) and the government. The government coordinates the Council and runs programmes that give young people the opportunity to express themselves on these issues. However, it does not mean activities on global issues but provides the opportunity to discuss them. (For more information see 5.3.)

The National Working Group on EU Youth Dialogue is the most structured cross-sectoral mechanism. It is coordinated by the National Youth Council in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and Innovation.

UN Youth Delegate Programme requires active cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Külgazdasági és Külügyminisztérium) and the Ministry of Culture and Innovation. While the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade provides the diplomatic framework and access to UN events, the Ministry of Culture and Innovation (responsible for youth in general) and the National Youth Council (as a non-public actor) manage the recruitment and professional preparation of the delegates. (For more information about the UN youth delegates, see 9.3.)

Besides, cross-sectoral cooperation is observed on an ad hoc basis such as the preparation and implementation of the National Environmental Programme until 2026 (2026-ig szóló 5. Nemzeti Környezetvédelmi Program). Though the programme reaches its final stage in 2026, it remains the primary cross-sectoral framework for 'green' issues. It requires academic and educational institutions, local governments and civil organisations to work together with the government. There are also organisations that play an important role in environmental education and awareness-raising among young people, for example, public education institutions, civil organisations, churches, national parks, museums, libraries, media websites, operated by the environmental protection sector and society organisations.