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1. Youth parliament

2. Youth councils and youth advisory boards

3. Higher education student union(s)

4. School student union(s)

5. Other bodies

There are several youth representations bodies that promote the interest of young people on national and local level. Together, these bodies provide complementary forms of youth representation, combining the representation of organised youth interests with participatory opportunities for individual young people.

Youth parliament

Structure

The National Assembly of Young People (Assemblée nationale des jeunes) was introduced by the 2008 Youth Law. The initial concept set out in the law was to establish a participatory body bringing together both delegates from youth organisations and NGOs active in the youth field, as well as individual young people (Art. 14).

In practice, this integrated model did not develop as originally envisaged. Instead, a Youth Parliament (Jugendparlament), addressing non-organised young people and providing a non-partisan space for individual youth participation at national level, was established. The National Youth Council (Jugendrot/CGJL) was tasked with developing and implementing the project in 2008.

The Youth Parliament is composed of a plenary assembly, an executive committee, an extended executive committee (bureau élargi), five permanent thematic commissions and a media group. The National Youth Council (CGJL - de Jugendrot) provides pedagogical and organisational guidance to the Youth Parliament, without intervening in the political content of debates or in the positions adopted by young participants. The Youth Parliament is not part of the constitutional structure, remains politically independent, and is funded by the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth.

A tripartite agreement between the Ministry responsible for youth policy, the National Youth Council (CGJL - de Jugendrot) and the executive committee sets out the roles and responsibilities of each party, while safeguarding the political independence of the Youth Parliament and providing the necessary educational and organisational support. Rules and regulations are defined by the Internal Regulation of the Youth Parliament.

Composition

Participation in the Youth Parliament is limited to a maximum of 100 members. All young people aged between 14 and 24 and living in Luxembourg are eligible to participate. Members are not elected but join through an open application process, ensuring that any interested young person can take part.

New participants are recruited annually through open calls and outreach activities aiming to reach young people from diverse backgrounds.

Role and responsibilities

The main objective of the Youth Parliament is to provide young people with a platform to express their views on political and societal issues at national level. It combines a participatory function with a civic education dimension, enabling participants to develop knowledge and skills related to democratic processes and policy-making.

The main outputs of the Youth Parliament are statements and resolutions, adopted by the plenary assembly in accordance with its Internal Regulations. Adopted positions represent the official stance of the Youth Parliament. They are published online, communicated to the media and presented to the Chamber of Deputies.

The Youth Parliament is not formally integrated into the legislative process and has no direct decision-making power. However, it is increasingly invited by political decision-makers and political parties to present its views on political and societal issues.

The work of the Youth Parliament is organised around five permanent thematic commissions covering Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, International Cooperation and Immigration; Economy and Employment; Education; Environment; and Equal Opportunities and Integration. 

Funding

Funding is provided through an annual funding convention between the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth and the National Youth Council. This funding covers the cost of the equivalent of one full time collaborator, as well as some operating costs.

Youth councils and youth advisory boards

a) Higher Youth Council (Conseil supérieur de la jeunesse)

The Higher Youth Council (Conseil supérieur de la jeunesse), established by the 2008 Youth Law, is conceived as an advisory body to the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth. It brings together representatives from youth organisations, youth services, organisations working on behalf of young people, student representatives, public authorities and youth research. Members are appointed by the minister responsible for youth policy for a mandate of three years, in accordance with the 2009 regulation on youth (règlement grand-ducal modifié du 9 janvier 2009 sur la jeunesse).

Under Article 12 of the 2008 Youth Law, the Council is mandated to examine youth-related issues, either on its own initiative or at the request of the government, and to formulate opinions and recommendations aimed at improving the situation of young people.

In practice, however, the Council has not been regularly convened in recent years. Its broad and heterogeneous composition has made it challenging to identify topics of common relevance and to ensure sustained engagement of all members. In this context, a review of the functioning and role of the Higher Youth Council is foreseen, with the objective of adapting its structure and working methods to better support effective and representative consultation within the youth sector.

b) National Youth Council (Jugendrot)

The National Youth Council (CGJL - de Jugendrot) is the umbrella organisation representing 37 youth organisations in Luxembourg. The member organisations are divided into four groups: political youth movements, trade union youth movements, scouts and guides, as well as socio-cultural, socio-pedagogical and leisure youth associations. Membership is subject to defined criteria related to age, organisational structure and objectives.

The National Youth Council (CGJL - de Jugendrot) is governed by an executive committee composed of representatives from its member organisations and is supported by a permanent staff. Funding is provided through an annual agreement with the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth covering operational costs and staff salaries, complemented by other sources such as Erasmus+ and membership fees.

The main objective of the Youth Council is to promote the active participation of young people in society. To this end, it implements and supports a range of activities and projects, including the coordination of the Youth parliament and the organisation of participatory events that enable young people to engage with political institutions and civic issues, such as the Jugendkonvent.

Higher education student union(s)

There are several bodies representing the interest of tertiary education students in Luxembourg. Since a large number of students study abroad, most members of the student unions are enrolled at universities abroad. With regard to legislation, there is neither a legal framework establishing the higher education student unions in Luxembourg.

a) Luxembourg National Union of Students (Union Nationale des Étudiant(e)s du Luxembourg - UNEL)

The Luxembourg National Union of Students (Union Nationale des Étudiant(e)s du Luxembourg – UNEL) is an interest group representing students at university level, as well as in secondary and vocational education. It advocates for a more democratic higher and secondary education system and for social justice and solidarity.

UNEL operates as a non-governmental organisation with a coordinating body and thematic working structures. Its activities address a broad range of issues related to education policy, student rights and socio-economic challenges affecting young people.

Most of UNEL’s activities are organised through digital platforms, allowing students studying abroad to participate. The organisation does not receive public funding and is financed through membership fees.

b)  Association of Luxembourg Student Circles (Association des Cercles d’Étudiants Luxembourgeois - ACEL)

The Association of Luxembourg Student Circles (Association des Cercles d’Étudiants Luxembourgeois – ACEL) is an umbrella organisation representing Luxembourgish student associations both at national level and within universities abroad. It brings together 45 student circles and represents the interests of Luxembourgish students at national and international levels.

ACEL focuses on networking students, providing information to current and prospective students, and advocating for students’ rights. Its activities contribute to supporting student participation and representation, particularly for students studying outside Luxembourg. It organises various events throughout the year, such as 'student for one day' or student proms. ACEL also contributes to the Réunion Européenne des Étudiants Luxembourgeois (REEL), an annual event organised in partnership with a host student committee. The event brings together Luxembourgish students from across Europe to exchange with political stakeholders and engage in networking opportunities, strengthening student participation and dialogue. Furthermore, ACEL drafts information leaflets (e.g. guides for students, information on student allowances, cookbook) and statements on political issues (e.g. increase of student allowances, free use of public transportation).

The organisation is managed by an elected committee and operates on a voluntary basis. It does not receive public funding and is financed through membership fees.

c) Luxembourg Association of Catholic University Students (Association Luxembourgeoise des Universitaires Catholiques - ALUC)

The Luxembourg Association of Catholic University Students (Association Luxembourgeoise des Universitaires Catholiques – ALUC) is a student organisation that represents its members’ interests in dialogue with public authorities and other student bodies. It contributes to public debate through educational and cultural activities grounded in its Christian orientation. The organisation does not receive public funding and is financed through membership fees.

d) Other student unions

In addition to these student organisations, the 2018 law on the organisation of the University of Luxembourg (loi du 27 juin 2018 ayant pour objet l'organisation de l'Université du Luxembourg) establishes formal student representation within the university through a student council (délégation des étudiants). This body represents students’ interests within the university’s governance structures and ensures student participation in institutional decision-making processes.

School student union(s)

a) Pupil's committee (comité d’élèves)

In Luxembourg, pupil’s committees (comités d’élèves) are established in all secondary schools and constitute the formal structure for pupil representation. Their legal basis is the Grand-Ducal Regulation of 28 June 2023 on the organisation of pupil’s committees (Règlement grand-ducal du 28 juin 2023 portant organisation des comités d’élèves).

Pupil’s committees are elected every two years by all pupils enrolled in the school, with participation in the vote being compulsory. All pupils may stand as candidates, subject to submitting an application to the school’s principal. Each council is composed of between 7 and 13 members, generally aged between 12 and 19, and meets at least twice per trimester. Certain operating costs may be covered by the school budget, subject to approval by the principal.

Pupil’s committees represent pupils in relations with school management and other school bodies, inform pupils about their rights and duties, organise cultural, social and sporting activities, and formulate proposals related to school life and learning conditions. They also ensure representation beyond the school level: each pupil’s committee appoints one full member and one substitute to represent the school in the National Pupil Conference of Luxembourg and in the school’s education council. 

b) National Pupil Conference of Luxembourg (Conférence nationale des Élèves du Luxembourg)

The National Pupil Conference of Luxembourg  (Conférence nationale des Élèves du Luxembourg – CNEL) is the national representative body for secondary school pupils. It brings together one full member and one substitute from each pupil’s committee (comité d’élèves) of secondary schools in Luxembourg and is established under the 2015 grand-ducal regulation on its organisation.

CNEL acts as an advisory body to the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth. It provides opinions and recommendations on issues affecting pupils and is consulted on legislative and regulatory initiatives that have a direct or indirect impact on secondary education.

The conference meets on a regular basis and is supported by an executive board elected by its members for a two-year mandate. Its members are generally aged between 12 and 19. CNEL is also represented in several national advisory bodies, including the Higher Educational Council, the Higher Youth Council and the Vocational Training Committee.

CNEL is funded through an annual agreement between the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth and the National Youth Council (CGJL - de Jugendrot). This funding covers operating costs and the equivalent of one full-time staff position.