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1. Existence of a national strategy to increase young people's political and civil society participation

2. Scope and contents

3. Responsible authority for the implementation of the strategy

4. Revisions/ updates 

Existence of a national strategy to increase young people's political and civil society participation

Luxembourg does not have a single, standalone national strategy specifically dedicated to increasing youth participation. Instead, youth participation is addressed as a cross-cutting objective embedded in the legal, strategic and operational framework of youth policy.

The 2008 Youth Law establishes participation and consultation of young people as core principles of youth policy. As stated in Article 1(3), youth policy aims to contribute to the education of young people as responsible and active citizens who respect democratic values, fundamental rights and social cohesion. This legal framework provides the basis for promoting youth participation across policy areas rather than through a separate participation strategy.

Youth participation is further strengthened through the National Youth Action Plans (Jugendpakt), which define medium-term priorities for youth policy. While the Jugendpakt does not constitute a dedicated participation strategy, it integrates youth participation as a transversal principle and as a method for policy development, implementation and monitoring.

Furthermore, other National Action Plans and European frameworks address youth participation in a transversal perspective and complements the Jugendpakt.

Scope and contents

Previous National Youth Action Plans (Jugendpakt) in Luxembourg placed varying degrees of emphasis on youth participation over time:

• The Jugendpakt 2012–2014 identified participation as a dedicated action field, aiming to establish young people as stakeholders in youth policy by promoting participation opportunities, access to culture, gender equality and inclusion, as well as combating discrimination
• The Jugendpakt 2017–2020 continued to address youth participation as a core dimension of youth policy, alongside priorities related to transitions from school to work and access to housing. It emphasised structured dialogue, inclusive participation and networking between stakeholders, while leaving implementation largely to sectoral actors
• The Jugendpakt 2022–2025 marked a shift towards a stronger focus on young people’s well-being, based on evidence from the National Youth Report. While youth participation remained a cross-cutting principle, the plan no longer defined participation as a standalone priority area, instead embedding it across measures addressing well-being in schools and youth structures, as well as cooperation and networking between actors
• The current National Youth Action Plan, covering the period 2026–2030, builds on this evolution and reflects significant changes in the youth policy landscape. It emerges in a context where the National Youth Service (SNJ), at the request of the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth, has undertaken a sector-wide clarification of roles, responsibilities, funding mechanisms and institutional relations within the youth sector.

This sectoral work has increased transparency and coherence across youth policy structures and will be reflected in the Jugendpakt, which will provide an overview of priorities and measures for the coming period. The plan is based on a combined approach bringing together scientific evidence, consultation of young people and the expertise of youth workers, youth organisations and municipalities, with a strong emphasis on evidence-based policymaking and alignment with European youth policy frameworks.

Complementary to this sectoral approach to youth policy, a number of National Action Plans (PAN) address youth-related issues and foster youth participation from a transversal perspective, either directly or indirectly. Rather than treating youth as a standalone policy field, these plans embed participation, inclusion and equality within broader policy areas that shape young people’s social, cultural and political engagement.

These plans include:

• The aforementioned National Action Plan for the Rights of the Child
• PAN Digital Inclusion – Strengthens digital access and skills as key enablers of civic and democratic participation
• PAN Antiracism – Seeks to combat structural racism and discrimination that may hinder equal participation
• PAN Prevention and Fight against Poverty – Addresses socio-economic exclusion that can limit young people’s social and civic engagement
• PAN Implementation of the CRDPH – Promotes accessibility and removes barriers to enable inclusive participation
• PAN LGBTIQ+ – Advances equality and non-discrimination to ensure safe and inclusive participation for LGBTIQ+ people
• PAN Gender Equality – Works to reduce gender-based inequalities that affect equal participation opportunities
• PAN Gender-Based Violence – Aims to create safe environments as a prerequisite for meaningful engagement in public life
• PAN Living Together (“Vivre-ensemble”) – Promotes social cohesion, intercultural dialogue and democratic values
• PAN Integration – Supports the inclusion of people with a migration background in education, employment and civic life.

At European level, Luxembourg’s youth policy is informed by broader cooperation frameworks developed within the European Union and the Council of Europe. The EU Youth Strategy (2019–2027) and the Council of Europe Youth Sector Strategy 2030 both emphasise youth participation, democratic engagement and access to rights as key priorities. In addition, ongoing work within the Council of Europe on a Reference Framework on a Youth Perspective encourages the systematic integration of young people’s perspectives into policy-making. While these frameworks are not directly transposed into national legislation, they provide important sources of inspiration for the development and evolution of youth policy in Luxembourg.

Responsible authority for the implementation of the strategy

The implementation of measures related to youth participation involves several public authorities and stakeholders, reflecting the transversal nature of youth policy. Overall coordination lies with the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth.

The National Youth Service (Service national de la jeunesse - SNJ) plays a central role in coordinating and supporting the implementation of the Jugendpakt on behalf of the ministry. It contributes to the operationalisation of participation-related measures, supports consultation processes and facilitates cooperation between actors at national and local levels.

Revisions/updates

The National Youth Action Plan for the period 2026–2030 is currently being prepared by the National Youth Service (Service national de la jeunesse – SNJ) under a mandate from the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth. Its preparation builds on central findings from the National Youth Report 2025 and on consultation processes involving young people, youth organisations and other relevant stakeholders.