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1. Policy legal framework

2. Funding

3. Cooperation

Policy legal framework

An important law regulating the quality aspects of youth service structures was introduced in 1998 (loi du 8 septembre 1998 réglant les relations entre l'État et les organismes œuvrant dans les domaines social, familial et thérapeutique). Together with the 1999 grand-ducal regulation (règlement grand-ducal du 28 janvier 1999 concernant l'agrément gouvernemental à accorder aux gestionnaires de services pour jeunes), it sets a frame for the relationships between the state, as an enabling agency, and non-public actors who provide social, family and therapeutic work. Every institution offering hosting, counselling, help, care, assistance, social training, activities or vocational guidance is eligible for state support. Financial support by the state will be granted to these institutions after signing a mutual agreement with the state, which outlines the services to be provided by the institution and the rules of payment, accounts and control.

The objectives of youth work provided by services for young people (Services pour jeunes) are defined by the 1999 grand-ducal regulation (règlement grand-ducal du 28 janvier 1999 concernant l'agrément gouvernemental à accorder aux gestionnaires de services pour jeunes).

As stated in Art. 6.4, one of their five objective is to 'participate in the development of a socio-cultural policy of democratisation by the provision of tools for participation by giving particular attention to social groups whose economic, social and cultural conditions are not favourable'. This regulation introduced also a system of governmental recognition to be granted to organisations implementing services for young people. This includes financial support granted to institutions on signing an agreement with the state which determines the services to be provided by the institution and the rules of payment, accounts and control.

The grand-ducal regulation of 28 July 2017 on the introduction of a national framework on non-formal education of children and young people defines a system of quality assurance and a systematic monitoring in the field of youth work.

Youth work particularly focuses on young people at risk of poverty or social exclusion and thus aims to ensure that all young people gain the opportunities and resources necessary to fully participate in economic, social and cultural life in Luxembourg.

Funding

Financial support for youth work is provided by the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth. It is not possible to provide a comprehensive overview of funding of youth work because the field is very differentiated and youth work is funded by different schemes in terms of institutions and degree of professionalisation (professional and voluntary youth work).

The most reliable data on funding is available for the field of professional youth work under the legal framework of the 1999 grand-ducal regulation. All youth services for young people (Service pour jeunes) which have an agreement (in accordance to this regulation) are funded by public budget. The total budget was € 13 111 234 in 2018 and has increased to € 19 742 955 in 2023. To become eligible for an agreement and to get funding, the services have to fulfil specific requirements regarding activities or offers (animation, open space, consultation, training) but also infrastructure (facilities, educational staff). 

Youth centres are funded by the state and the municipality. Each of these fund always half of the total personnel costs of the youth centre. Buildings are provided or funded by the municipality and furnishings are funded by the state. The total budget of the National Youth Service was € 19 982 436 in 2018 and has increased to € 40 298 769 in 2023. Other youth initiatives (e.g. political youth parties) are funded by the budget line 'Subsides pour activités dans l'intérêt des jeunes' with a total amount of € 105 000 (in 2023).

Luxembourg is involved in the Erasmus+ programme and the European Solidarity Corps which are the most important international funding sources for youth work activities in Luxembourg.

Cooperation

There are four cooperation structures between youth work stakeholders:

• The 'Daachverband vun de Lëtzebuerger Jugendstrukturen' (DLJ), the national umbrella NGO of 18 supporting youth services and 61 local youth centres, supports youth work. The main tasks of the DLJ include the promotion of exchanges, coordination and cooperation between members, support for the work of youth centres and services, increasing the awareness of open youth work and the representation of members' interests abroad in the relevant political bodies
• The commission of the national framework on non-formal education of children and young people (commission du cadre de référence national) is composed of representatives from different ministries (e.g. education, sports, culture, health) and other public bodies (2016 grand-ducal regulation, Art. 1). It is in charge of elaborating and evaluating the national framework on non-formal education of children and young people
• The commission for lifelong learning (Commission de la formation continue) is composed of representatives from different ministries (e.g. education, sports, culture, health) and other public bodies (2016 grand-ducal regulation, Art. 10). It is in charge of the validation and recognition of lifelong learning activities of youth workers
• The Higher Youth Council (Conseil Supérieur de la Jeunesse) is composed of 22 representatives from several organisations and administrations that are concerned with youth issues (including eight young representatives from youth organisations, four representatives from youth services, four representatives from organisations which work on behalf of young people, two student representatives, one representative of Syvicol, one representative from the National Assembly of Young People, one representative from the ministry in charge of youth policy and one representative from youth research) (2015 grand-ducal regulation on youth, Art. 1).

There are further ad hoc cooperations between youth work stakeholders. For example, in the form of a round table and workshops on media use and consumption, jointly organised by the DLJ and the National Centre for the Prevention of Substance Abuse, or the campaign Social Boys which aims at encouraging boys to engage in youth work, organised by the DLJ in cooperation with infoMann and the Ministry of Equality between Women and Men.