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1. Existence of a national strategy

2. Scope and contents

3. Responsible authority

4. Revisions/ updates

Existence of a national strategy

Youth volunteering in Luxembourg is governed by distinct national strategies under the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth and the Ministry of Family Affairs, Solidarity, Living Together and Reception of Refugees. The Ministry of Education focuses on integrating the National Youth Service into broader youth policies that enhance educational and developmental opportunities. Concurrently, the Ministry of Family oversees general volunteering activities, termed "bénévolat," promoting civic engagement across a broader demographic. While each ministry operates independently, their respective strategies collectively contribute to the comprehensive support and development of young individuals in Luxembourg.

The youth policy strategy on a national level is under the competency of the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth. This policy is defined in Luxembourg National Youth Action Plan (2012 Youth Pact, Youth Pact 2017-2020, Youth Pact 2022-2025), or Jugendpakt, which is anchored in the amended law of July 4, 2008, on youth. It is a cross-sectional policy based on understanding the situation of young people and actively consulting them on issues that concern them. Current political objectives are also defined in the coalition agreement (2023–2028).

The National Youth Service (SNJ), an administration under the authority of the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth, is partly responsible for the implementation of the National Youth Action Plans. As the SNJ is legally responsible for the coordination of the Youth Voluntary Service, it defines biannual objectives for these activities in its work programme.

Furthermore, SNJ’s programs in the field of transition are part of a national strategy to address school dropouts, integrating it with the Youth Voluntary Service. This approach uses volunteering as a means to reintegrate young people into society and potentially back into the school system by developing their skills in non-formal settings. The strategy involves mandatory meetings with dropouts, personalised guidance, and support to help them engage in suitable activities, including youth volunteering.

Scope and contents

The current National Action Plan for Youth, Youth Pact 2022-2025, primarily focuses on enhancing the well-being of young people but does not directly address volunteering activities. However, youth volunteering received significant emphasis in previous action plans, especially in supporting individuals who have dropped out of the school system or are in transition phases in their life, to help them develop skills and competencies in non-formal settings. For these individuals, it is mandatory to receive tailored counselling from SNJ agents, and participation in volunteering activities, such as the Youth Voluntary Service, is consistently recommended as an active measure of support.

In the SNJ work program for 2025-2027, there is an increased focus on promoting international youth mobility through volunteering, facilitated by the Youth Voluntary Service.

Responsible authority

The national strategy for the youth sector is overseen by the Ministry of Education, Children, and Youth. Within this ministry, the National Youth Service (SNJ) is the responsible authority for the implementation of the youth policy, and the coordination and monitoring of youth programmes at national level. It is responsible for defining strategic objectives and monitoring the implementation of actions, positioning it as the primary authority on youth matters in the country.

In Luxembourg, every administration is required to write a work program. The SNJ's work program outlines its strategic plan for the coming 3 years and must be approved by the Ministry of Education, Children, and Youth. This process ensures that the SNJ's activities align with broader governmental objectives for the youth sector.

Revisions/updates

The national youth strategy is updated every five years. The work programme of every administration is updated every three years.