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1. Legal/policy framework for the functioning and development of youth organisations

2. Public financial support

3. Initiatives to increase the diversity of participants

Legal/policy framework for the functioning and development of youth organisations

Support to youth organisations in Luxembourg is based on the 2008 Youth Law and on the Law of 8 September 1998 on relations between the State and youth organisations, which defines the legal framework for recognition, cooperation and public support. This law establishes youth organisations as key partners in the implementation of youth policy and reflects the subsidiarity principle.

Youth organisations operate mainly in the field of non-formal education and on a voluntary basis. Their activities contribute to the personal development, social inclusion and active citizenship of young people, in line with national youth policy objectives.

Recognition by the State is a prerequisite for public support. Recognised youth organisations and services must comply with the principles and quality standards defined in the National Framework for Non-Formal Education of Children and Young People, which sets out common educational principles such as voluntary participation, inclusion, empowerment and youth participation.

The National Youth Service (Service national de la jeunesse – SNJ) is currently preparing a revised reference framework. This new framework is intended to be more normative and will require recognised services to specify how youth participation is implemented in practice within their structures and activities, thereby strengthening accountability and quality assurance in the field.

Public financial support

Public financial support to youth organisations is mainly provided by the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth (MENJE) through multiannual agreements (conventions). These agreements can cover all or part of the organisations’ operating costs, including staff, infrastructure and the implementation of activities. More than one hundred such agreements are currently in place across the youth sector. The conclusion of such agreements depends on strategic priorities and identified sectoral needs, as well as on compliance with the applicable legal and quality requirements.

In addition to structural funding, project-based subsidies are available to support specific initiatives, for example in the fields of social inclusion, participation, innovation in youth work or international cooperation.

The Service national de la jeunesse (SNJ) is responsible for implementing and monitoring these support mechanisms. It accompanies organisations in the recognition process, ensures compliance with the quality framework and supports the professional development of the youth sector.
In addition to structural and project-based funding mechanisms, Luxembourg provides targeted support to innovative initiatives in the youth sector through the Incubator for social and youth projects (Incubator).

The Incubator supports project holders in developing, testing and consolidating innovative initiatives with a social or youth-related impact, including projects led by or targeting young people. It provides financial support, combined with coaching and methodological guidance, to help transform project ideas into sustainable initiatives.

Youth organisations can also apply for grants to organise projects in the framework of the Erasmus+ programme.

Initiatives to increase the diversity of participants

Increasing the diversity of young people participating in youth activities is a key objective of youth policy in Luxembourg. Public support to youth organisations is designed to facilitate access for young people who are underrepresented or face barriers to participation, including young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The National Framework for Non-Formal Education requires youth organisations to take diversity and inclusion into account in their action concepts. This includes adapting activities to the needs of different target groups and promoting equal opportunities in access to non-formal education. The ongoing revision of the Framework by the National Youth Service (Service national de la jeunesse – SNJ) is expected to further strengthen this approach by introducing more explicit requirements regarding how services ensure inclusive participation and reach non-organised or underrepresented young people.

In addition, training and professional development opportunities for youth workers support inclusive practices and contribute to creating welcoming environments for young people with diverse backgrounds. Cross-border and European cooperation further contributes to intercultural learning and the diversification of participation in youth activities.