Governance

The governance and promotion of volunteering in Luxembourg is managed by the Ministry of Family Affairs, Solidarity, Living Together and Reception of Refugees, within a framework that involves government bodies, non-profit organisations, and community groups. The Conseil Supérieur du Bénévolat, established in 2002, serves as an advisory board that influences volunteer policies and strategies, ensuring that volunteer services are recognised and that volunteers' rights and responsibilities are well defined and protected. Although there is no specific legal status for voluntary workers in Luxembourg, organisations are obligated to adhere to certain requirements, including social security provisions for volunteer activities.

The Youth Voluntary Service is coordinated by the Service National de la Jeunesse (SNJ, National Youth Service), which operates under the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth. This ensures that youth volunteering initiatives align with educational objectives. The division « Soutien à la transition vers la vie active » of the SNJ is responsible for the coordination of the National Youth Service, focusing on facilitating transitions for young people towards active societal participation and employment or studies. The SNJ offers administrative simplification and support for all the “sending agencies”/host organisations who propose volunteering activities in Luxembourg or abroad, through the European Solidarity Corps or outside of this framework. The SNJ also plays a key role in advising the Minister on granting accreditations to organisations seeking to offer volunteer services. For volunteer activities happening in Europe in the framework of the European Solidarity Corps, The SNJ collaborates with Anefore, a body that serves as Luxembourg's National Agency for Eramsus+ and ESC program. Whereas the SNJ is the main coordination structure for youth volunteer activities, Anefore is responsible for managing and allocating the necessary funding to support these initiatives, thus ensuring that the volunteer projects are successfully implemented in line with the objectives of Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps.

There are other specific volunteering activities such as the integration of young volunteers into emergency services. The Corps Grand-Ducal d'Incendie et de Secours (CGDIS) oversees these activities, ensuring training, compliance with safety standards, and effective integration of young volunteers into various roles, such as firefighting, rescue operations, and emergency medical services. This structured governance helps maintain high standards of safety and efficiency while providing valuable real-world experience to young volunteers.

While regional or local authorities do not directly participate in the development of national policies concerning volunteer activities, various local organisations actively engage young volunteers across multiple sectors such as citizenship, social integration, culture, human rights and peace, education, environment, humanitarian aid and international solidarity, religion, health, assistance, sports, and tourism. Many of these organisations are also affiliated with the “Agence du Bénévolat”, enhancing their capacity to mobilize and manage volunteers effectively.

Cross-sectoral cooperation

Due to the broad scope of activities covered by the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth and the Ministry of Family Affairs, Solidarity, Living Together and Reception of Refugees, there are instances where their initiatives and policies for youth volunteering overlap. This overlap can be seen in joint efforts to engage young people in volunteering that supports both educational and social development goals, thereby enriching the overall impact of youth volunteering in Luxembourg.

Concerning the Youth Voluntary Service, a cross-sectoral entity known as the "Commission d'accompagnement du service volontaire", consisting of members from several ministries and youth representatives, serves as an independent advisory entity since 1999. According to the Grand-Ducal Regulation of December 18, 2007, regarding its composition, the commission consists of seven full and seven deputy members representing various ministries and governmental services (youth and education, employment, development cooperation, and culture), as well as the Higher Youth Council, with the Director of the National Youth Service chairing the Commission. It operates within the National Youth Service, under the authority of the Ministry of Education, Children, and Youth. While ensuring coordination with ministry policies, it functions as an independent advisory entity. The responsibilities of the commission include making recommendations for the implementation of the voluntary service law, proposing training guidelines for young volunteers, and mediating disputes between volunteers and host organisations. 

On an international level, the Directorate for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs, under Luxembourg's Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, manage and coordinate international cooperation and development efforts, which can include overseeing projects involving volunteer components, particularly those aimed at developmental aid and humanitarian assistance. It organises regular meetings with national actors, such as the Luxembourgish cooperation circle of development NGOs and fosters a cohesive policy on volunteering, ensuring these initiatives support Luxembourg’s commitment to global solidarity. By guiding and facilitating international volunteer programs, the Directorate enhances their impact, contributing to sustainable development, peace, and cooperation worldwide.