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EACEA National Policies Platform
Latvia

Latvia

1. Youth Policy Governance

1.7 Funding youth policy

Last update: 23 November 2020

On this page

  1. How Youth policy is funded

  2. What is funded?

  3. Financial accountability

  4. Use of EU Funds


How Youth policy is funded

National level

According to the 2018 Budget, the public expenditure allocated to the field of youth is 720 684 EUR: Direct allocations are listed in section below for specific youth policy measures.

During the previous years, the budget allocated for youth has been gradually increased: 

2012 – 152225 EUR 

2013 – 315856 EUR

2014 – 330520 EUR

2015 – 328520 EUR 

2016 – 328520 EUR

2017 - 332 353 EUR

2018 - 720 684 EUR

Regional level

The municipal budget allocation for youth differs according to the availability of funding in each municipality. There is no estimated amount known, as no survey has been carried out to calculate the amount that is allocated in the field of youth at the municipal level.

As in many other countries, Latvian youth policy is funded by several ministries and it is not possible to put precise figures on each individual contribution.

Altogether, the budget for youth policy was continually increased, underlining the growing significance of this policy area. However, this amount needs to be considered relative to others, as the funds are supposed to cover (among many other things) cost-intensive activities like the establishment of youth initiative centres, as well as a youth information system and youth research activities.

What is funded?

According to annualy Youth programme specific youth policy measures are:

Work with young people in municipalities – 167 000EUR, Support for youth organizations – 440 000 EUR, Information support and research work in the field of youth – 95 684 EUR, International cooperation – 18 000 EUR.

Financial accountability

The main responsible institution for the annual National Youth programme funding is Ministry of Education and Science. 

From the National Youth Programme every year is provided support to local authorities, municipalities and youth organizations, the allocation of this money is responsible National Youth Agency.

The funding available to the youth field from other ministries and institutions, is in charge of each institution.

Use of EU Funds

Erasmus+ is the EU Programme in the fields of education, training, youth and sport for the period 2014-2020 and European Solidarity Corps.        

Agency for International Programmes for Youth implements both these programmes.

The State Education Development Agency (SEDA; VIAA in Latvian) implement the national policy in the field of development of higher education and science, lifelong learning system, vocational education system and general education system and to implement and monitor projects financed by European Union (EU) Structural Funds, education innovation projects and EU programmes (Erasmus+) and projects and initiatives.

The State Education Development Agency and Agency for International  programmes for youth is a direct administration institution which is subordinated to the Ministry of Education and Science.