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1. Governance

2. Cross-sectoral cooperation

Governance

From the perspective of public administration and public policies in the youth sector, the area is under the jurisdiction of the Minister of Youth and Modernisation. With the XXIV Constitutional Government, the youth area now has a Minister dedicated to youth and modernisation.

The Portuguese Institute of Sport and Youth (IPDJ) is the main public structure for national policy coordination, having central services in Lisbon and regional structures all over Mainland Portugal in the 5 regions and 18 sub-regions of the territory, and in close cooperation with the autonomous administrations of the archipelagos of Madeira and Azores.

Having the Ministry of Youth and Modernisation as the national authority, the National Agency for Erasmus+ Youth/Sports and European Solidarity Corps Programme also plays a decisive role in the international European youth policy field.

The policies are developed and managed in strict connection with the youth representatives from the National Youth Council (CNJ) and the National Federation of Youth Organizations (FNAJ), and also within the framework of the Ministry of Youth and Modernisation advisory council, the local municipalities’ advisory councils, and IPDJ’s advisory council, that include youth organisations and other organisations working with youth, apart from a general public consultation practice.

This management is also made in close correlation with the other governmental structures, as was the case of the National Youth Plan (which combines the coordinated action of all public services), and in specific cases, like the youth worker professional profile and its legal recognition profile of competences (RVCC), with ANQEP – the National Agency for Qualification and Vocational Education.

Soon after the publication of the youth worker’s professional profile, several training courses were run by youth organisations and technical schools, since the profile has, like we’ve seen before, the so-called double certification, both technical and secondary school qualification. Meanwhile, other interesting developments occurred within civil society, such as the creation of the Associação de Promoção de Públicos Jovens em Risco (APPJ - National Association of Youth Workers), a youth organisation aimed at creating a professional consciousness and developing youth workers' training and opportunities.

The contribution of the third sector to youth work is very relevant, both working with and for youth. The National Youth Council (CNJ) is an umbrella organisation that represents nationwide youth organisations of different areas (cultural, environmental, scout, parties, students, workers unions, confessional, etc.) and youth interests. It promotes non-formal education, its principles, and practices, and has a pool of trainers since 2006, which has been a reference in this field.

The organisations that work with youth on a local level are organised under the umbrella organisation National Federation of Youth Associations (FNAJ).

The National Association of Youth Workers is an organisation that gathers professionals who work in the field of youth, in all sectors mentioned above, to represent those professionals in an organised manner and contribute to policy shaping.

Cross-sectoral cooperation

Considering the broad scope of modern youth policies, there is close cooperation within the public sector and between the public and private sectors. Since the first National Youth Plan (PNJ) in 2018, this cooperation has been organised and increased. Cross-sectoral cooperation is ensured at the municipal level through municipal youth plans, which are not mandatory and depend on each municipality's priorities.

Long-term programmes like the Choices Programme (Programa Escolhas), coordinated by IPDJ, benefit from non-formal education and cooperation with youth organisations and workers. IPDJ collaborates closely with civil society organisations through its Regional Directorates. The Lisbon Youth Centre, awarded the Council of Europe's quality label in 2015 and renewed for 2023-2027, serves as a hub for innovation and cooperation in youth work and human rights training.

On 11 April 2024, the Braga Youth Centre also received the Council of Europe's Quality Label for Youth Centres, recognising its role in non-formal education, youth work, and international cooperation. This label, valid until 2026, acknowledges the centre's contributions to youth policies and activities in Braga.

Many towns have municipal youth centres that support youth-led organisations and promote public-private cooperation. IPDJ's Algarve Regional Directorate is developing the Faro Youth Centre to meet the Council of Europe's quality criteria, enhancing its educational and social impact. A consultation process with youth workers and young people in the region led to recommendations for hiring experienced youth workers, creating training programmes, and improving professional experiences.

The Algarve Regional Directorate also established the "house of associations" to host youth organisations and provide activity spaces. The "Algarve Youth Meeting" (EJA), organised by regional youth organisations and IPDJ, fosters intermunicipal collaboration, dialogue, and youth participation, making the youth sector a positive change agent in the region.