Youth Policy in Hungary

As there is no youth law in Hungary, the term 'youth' is not set in stone and is therefore defined differently in the various legislations and policy areas. The National Youth Strategy 2009-2024 provided a strategic framework for youth policy between 2009 and 2024. However, in its final years, it was less referenced in policy-making (the last action plan referred to 2016 and 2017), and no new strategy was adopted to replace it. Consequently, the main directions are currently shaped by the background work of the ministry responsible for youth policy and, to some extent, the EU Youth Strategy.

In Hungary, youth policy belongs to the Ministry of Culture and Innovation (Kulturális és Innovációs Minisztérium). In the ministry, the Deputy State Secretariat for Young People, under the State Secretary Responsible for Families, coordinates the Department of Young People and the Department of Talents, (For more information see sub-chapter 1.4 Youth Policy decision-making.)

The two most important umbrella youth organizations of Hungary are the National Youth Council (Nemzeti Ifjúsági Tanács), founded in 2012 acting as an institution for supporting young people and representing youth organizations of Hungary, as well as the Hungarian Youth Conference (established in 1999) – a forum of Hungarian youth and their organizations in Hungary and the neighbouring countries.