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1. Existence of a National Youth Strategy

2. Scope and contents

3. Responsible authority for the implementation of the Youth Strategy

4. Revisions/updates

Existence of a National Youth Strategy

The national youth strategy has been outlined in the Second National Youth Plan (Plano Nacional de Juventude – PNJ II), which was approved on 13 September 2022 through Resolution of the Council of Ministers No. 77/2022 and it was in force until December 2024. The PNJ II built upon the foundations set by the First National Youth Plan (PNJ I), which was established in September 2018 through Resolution of the Council of Ministers No. 114-A/2018. The PNJ I was Portugal’s first comprehensive youth strategy, focusing on the intersectoral coordination of youth policy to ensure its transversal nature and strengthen the special protection of young people's rights, as enshrined in Article 70 of the  Constitution of the Portuguese Republic.

The PNJ II represented a significant evolution, expanding on the initial framework by incorporating a broader and more ambitious set of 425 measures, reflecting a 70% increase compared to its predecessor. This second iteration reinforced the commitment to universal youth policies while maintaining targeted measures for young people facing fewer opportunities, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds, vulnerable groups, and individuals living in rural, remote, and outermost regions.

Scope and contents

As a continuation and enhancement of the first plan, the PNJ II maintained a balance between consultation-driven insights and an evidence-based approach to address the evolving challenges and opportunities facing young people in Portugal. The strategy was structured around five key priority areas, each designed to promote youth empowerment, autonomy, and participation across different dimensions of life:

I. Key Priority Areas

Emancipation and Autonomy – Strengthening youth access to employment, housing, and social protection to foster sustainable pathways towards independence and autonomy.

Education and Science – Ensuring the fulfilment of compulsory education and higher education access, promoting lifelong learning, and reinforcing the importance of scientific knowledge and innovation.

Civic Engagement and Participation – Encouraging youth involvement in decision-making processes, fostering active citizenship, and reinforcing equal opportunities in social, economic, and political spheres.

Health and Well-being – Promoting mental and physical well-being, advocating for healthy lifestyles, and improving youth access to healthcare services tailored to their specific needs.

Culture and Creativity – Expanding access to cultural and creative opportunities, fostering youth-led artistic expression, and strengthening their role in the cultural sector.

II. Investment and Implementation

The PNJ II was backed by a three-billion-euro investment over three years (2022-2024), with 44% of the funding sourced from European funds. This financial commitment underscores Portugal’s strategic focus on enhancing youth policies, reinforcing institutional collaboration, and ensuring effective policy implementation.

III. Strategic Vision and Future Outlook

Building on the legacy of PNJ I, the PNJ II addressed contemporary and emerging challenges such as demographic decline, rural depopulation, and socio-economic disparities affecting young people. The plan reflected a commitment to youth empowerment, ensuring that policy development remains adaptive and responsive to the needs of young people in Portugal.

Responsible authority for the implementation of the Youth Strategy

The National Youth Plan 2018-2021 was coordinated by the Portuguese Institute for Sport and Youth (Instituto Português do Desporto e Juventude - IPDJ, IP), which was responsible for monitoring the implementation of its measures. The Institute submitted annual reports (including midterm reports) to the Government member responsible for youth affairs and provided a final report upon the conclusion of the Plan’s validity period, while the execution of each measure falled under the responsibility of the designated state entity, ensuring alignment with national youth policy objectives.

Revisions/updates

The National Youth Plan II was subjected to assessment via an annual midterm report and a final report is being drawn up.

IPDJ is currently preparing the next national youth plan, named National Youth Agenda which will integrate the vision and perspectives of the various stakeholders in the youth field.