Forthcoming policy developments

Following the expiration of the National Youth Strategy 2009–2024, the primary debate among policy-makers and youth representatives, such as the National Youth Council (Nemzeti Ifjúsági Tanács), focuses on the creation of a new, comprehensive strategic document.

Two other issues are on the agenda for youth involvement in global affairs, according to the Ministry information:

• Mental and physical health: Young people's well-being is significantly influenced by mental and physical health factors, housing conditions and access to education, employment and leisure activities. The crises of recent years have had a particularly negative impact on the mental health of young people in the EU, especially among those in financial difficulties. Hungary is prioritising mental health support to reduce young people's isolation and strengthen their community links.
• Lack of opportunities in rural areas: Young people in rural areas are at increased risk of isolation, unemployment and mental health problems. Hungary aims at preventing people from feeling they have to leave their place of birth due to a lack of opportunities. In 2024, they held a national consultation with representatives of young people to represent the interests of rural youth at EU and global level.

Ongoing debates

As mentioned above, since the expiration of the National Youth Strategy 2009–2024, a significant debate has emerged regarding the priorities of its successor. Main actors are the Ministry of Culture and Innovation (Kulturális és Innovációs Minisztérium), National Youth Council and various youth-focused NGOs.

In 2025, the Department for Youth at the Ministry of Culture and Innovation participated in the drafting of Recommendation CM/Rec(2025)3 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on the social, economic, and political participation of rural youth. This recommendation highlights that young people in rural areas often face significant gaps in access to services compared to their urban peers. The document – which reflects current Hungarian policy priorities – emphasizes that equal access to education, employment, healthcare, and digital infrastructure is a prerequisite for active participation. It advocates for treating rural youth not merely as beneficiaries but as active partners in decision-making at local, regional, and national levels. This international framework is currently being integrated into domestic debates regarding the strengthening of local youth work and community spaces in Hungary's rural regions (source is the Ministry's information).