On this page

1. Structure of Decision-making

2. Main Themes

3. The National Agency for Youth

4. Policy Monitoring and evaluation

Other Institutional Actors involved in Youth Policy

Given the cross-sectoral nature of youth public policies, this area of intervention is developed through cooperation among various public and private stakeholders. The scope and involvement of these actors vary according to the specific projects and programmes implemented. Key ministries engaged in youth policy include the fields of Education, Health, Labour, Solidarity and Social Security, and Environment.

The mandates of these ministries are outlined in the Organic Law of Government (Decree-Law No. 32/2024, of 10 May), which assigns them responsibility for "designing, implementing, executing, and evaluating policies within their respective sectors." Each of these ministries operates through executive bodies responsible for policy implementation, including the General Directorate of Health, the Institute of Employment and Vocational Training, and the Portuguese Environment Agency, all of which collaborate with the youth sector.

At the local level, cooperation occurs between municipalities and third-sector entities, with particular emphasis on the youth associative movement. Local authorities play a crucial role in the implementation of youth-related initiatives, ensuring alignment with national policies while addressing regional and local needs.

The Portuguese Parliament also contributes to youth policy through specialised committees. One of the key parliamentary bodies in this regard is the Committee on Culture, Communication, Youth and Sports, which commenced its activities on 12 November 2015. This committee is responsible for overseeing youth-related policies and fostering dialogue with other specialised committees, thereby ensuring a comprehensive approach to youth policy development and implementation.

Main Themes

The conceptual foundation for intervention in the youth sector is established in the Constitution of the Portuguese Republic, which, in Article 70 – Youth, provides the overarching framework for all youth policies.

The key priorities of youth policies should include:

• The personal development of young people;

• The creation of conditions that facilitate their effective integration into the workforce;

• The encouragement of creativity and innovation;

• The promotion of a sense of community service and active citizenship.

 National Youth Plan II (adopted by Resolution of the Council of Ministers No. 77/2022)

• The National Youth Plan served as an instrument for the interministerial coordination of youth policies. It provided guidance for the design, implementation, and evaluation of measures in key strategic areas (see section 1.3.1)

Strategic Areas and Stakeholder Engagement

The identification of these strategic areas resulted from an extensive consultation process involving young people and key stakeholders in the sector, such as youth organisations, association leaders, youth workers, academic institutions, and local authorities.

In alignment with the political priorities established by the European Union, national public policy incorporates various programmes and projects that converge with European objectives. These are implemented through the Portuguese Institute of Sport and Youth (IPDJ) and partner organisations. Below are key initiatives within specific policy domains:

• Encouraging Associative Development (Programa IDA – Incentivo ao Desenvolvimento Associativo): Supports youth associations and federations with approved applications under the Internship and Employment Programme managed by the Employment and Vocational Training Institute (IEFP).

Education and Training

• Formar+ Programme: Provides training and financial assistance for leaders of youth associations registered in the National Register of National Associations (RNAJ). Additionally, it offers training for youth workers and members of youth organisations.

Participation and Citizenship

• Youth Parliament (Parlamento dos Jovens): encourages young people's engagement in civic and political affairs.

• EuroSchool Contest (Euroscola): selects schools to participate in the EuroSchool programme in Strasbourg.

Social Inclusion

• Choices Programme (Programa Escolhas): managed by IPDJ, this initiative focuses on promoting social inclusion.

Health and Well-Being

• Take Care of Yourself Programme (CUIDA-TE): aims to promote youth health and healthy lifestyles.

Volunteering

• Agora Nós Programme: encourages youth volunteering as a means of skill acquisition. It includes:

• Long-Term Action of Young Generation Z Volunteering;

• Long-Term Action of Young Volunteering Dating with Fair Play;

• Youth Volunteering for Nature and Forests Programme: Operates independently of the Agora Nós Programme.

Creativity and Culture

• Young Creators Programme (Programa Jovens Criadores): Provides opportunities for young creatives who lack access to mainstream cultural circuits. The programme includes:

• Young Creators Competition.

• National Showcase of Young Creators.

• Policy Development and Consultation.

Youth policy development follows structured dialogue procedures involving representative platforms such as the National Youth Council and the National Federation of Youth Organisations. Public consultation mechanisms include hearings and advisory councils, such as:

• Advisory Council of the Minister of Youth and Modernisation;

• Municipal Advisory Councils.

Additionally, youth public policy is informed by research studies and collaborations with the Permanent Youth Observatory at the Institute of Social Sciences of the University of Lisbon (ICS).

The National Agency for Youth

IPDJ plays a key role in the development and implementation of youth policies. Its specific responsibilities include:

• Supporting the development of public youth policies, particularly by adopting measures to encourage the civic participation of young people in social, economic, cultural, and educational activities.

• Monitoring the implementation of youth policies to ensure effectiveness and alignment with national objectives.

• Facilitating youth associations, maintaining and updating the National Register of Youth Associations (RNAJ) in accordance with legal requirements.

• Providing technical and financial support for programmes developed under the Youth Associations Law.

• Promoting initiatives tailored to young people, including those related to leisure activities, voluntary work, non-formal education, and training.

• Raising awareness and providing guidance on critical issues such as health, risk behaviour, child protection, and environmental sustainability to ensure young people's well-being and personal development.

• Encouraging youth exchanges and international cooperation, promoting young people's integration into community and international organisations and fostering social and economic development projects, alongside the National Agency Erasmus +, Youth, Sport and European Solidarity Corps.

• Developing partnerships with regional, national, and international entities—both public and private—to strengthen the implementation of youth policies.

In carrying out its functions, IPDJ may establish cooperative relationships with other public and private entities at the national and international levels. However, these collaborations do not imply delegation or sharing of official responsibilities.

Policy Monitoring and Evaluation

In Portugal, policies and programmes are subject to regular evaluation and monitoring, based on data collected at the conclusion of projects. This process considers not only data generated by participants but also by programme promoters. A comprehensive annual evaluation is conducted, assessing pre-defined physical and financial performance indicators alongside the results of consultations with participants and promoters/partners.

IPDJ undertakes systematic project monitoring visits and audits to ensure that project implementation aligns with programmatic objectives and initial proposals.

Additionally, regular meetings of advisory bodies, including the IPDJ Advisory Board and the Youth Advisory Council, chaired by the Minister of Youth and Modernisation provide a platform for partners to present their perspectives on relevant matters.

These mechanisms, particularly those involving advisory bodies, contribute to addressing disparities in programme content and resource allocation.

Finally, policy monitoring and evaluation at the highest political level is carried out by the Parliament. In this context, youth policy evaluation primarily occurs within the Commission of Culture, Communication, Youth and Sports, which includes parliamentary group representatives. As a permanent and specialised body, this commission has jurisdiction over youth policy matters. It may also establish sub-commissions and temporary working groups to monitor specific issues in greater detail.