On this page

1. How Youth policy is funded

2. What is funded?

3. Financial accountability

4. Use of EU Funds

How Youth policy is funded

The funding of public youth policies in Portugal is derived from three primary sources: the Portuguese State Budget, Community Funds, and own revenue generated by the Portuguese Institute of Sport and Youth (Instituto Português do Desporto e Juventude – IPDJ, I.P.), the national body responsible for the implementation of youth policies.

The specific budget allocated for youth policy, managed by IPDJ, I.P., is as follows:

• 2021: approximately 3.011.500,00 euros;

• 2022: approximately 3.735.498,00 euros;

• 2023: approximately 2.870.688,00 euros;

• 2024: approximately 2.927.920,00 euros;

• 2025: approximately 3.205.146,00 euros.

What is funded?

All projects and programmes developed within the following areas receive funding: youth associations, volunteering, creativity and culture, health, leisure, citizenship and participation, mobility, and non-formal education.

Financial accountability

IPDJ ensures transparency by publicly providing annual information on its activities. This is detailed in its Annual Report, which includes qualitative and quantitative indicators across all fields of youth policy. Additionally, specific financial data is regularly published, including details on funding allocations to youth organisations. IPDJ Portal also provides access to the list of registered youth associations under the National Register of Youth Associations.

Within the competencies of IPDJ Advisory Council, the Plan and the Activity Report are disseminated, analysed, and reviewed by its members. These include representatives from the National Youth Council, the National Federation of Youth Associations, the higher education students' associations, and the basic and secondary education students' associations. The Advisory Council convenes at least twice annually to fulfil this role.

The Youth Advisory Council, chaired by the Minister of Youth and Modernisation, further contributes to policy oversight. This body comprises youth organisations, youth political parties, municipal and parish associations, trade unions, and other stakeholders. It meets quarterly to discuss youth policies, programmes, and initiatives, including matters related to civic participation and the socio-economic integration of young people. Part of the agenda includes the review of measures and results achieved in the preceding quarter.

Use of EU Funds

The Portuguese Institute of Sport and Youth (IPDJ, I.P.) used European Union (EU) funds to support national programmes and activities, as well as cross-border projects.

Among the projects financed, it is important to highlight:

1. Project “Eurocity 2030 – New approaches in the governance of cross-border cooperation in Eurocity Chaves-Verin” (EUROCIDADE 2030) – started on 01/01/2023 and ended in 12/31/2024. Budget: €87,164.00 - POCTEP Program (Interreg Spain-Portugal Cross-Border Cooperation Program). 

2. Rural Youth Future Project “Improving the role of youth policies for rural sustainable development” – started in 2023 and will end in 2027. Budget: €195,420.00 - Interreg Europe Program (Interreg is a series of programs to stimulate cooperation between regions inside and outside the European Union, financed by the European Regional Development Fund). 

3. Youth Challenges Project - Cross-border cooperation, with a view to favouring and enhancing the inclusion of young people in the labour market in the Euro Region of Galicia and Northern Portugal - Started in May 2024 and will end in 2027. Budget: €107,584.61 - POCTEP Program.

4. Youth Wiki. IPDJ has been, since 2024, the national correspondent for the Youth Wiki in close cooperation with the National Agency Erasmus + Youth, Sports and the European Solidarity Corps and with the main actors, public and private, operating in the field of Youth. The financing covers the period between April 2024 and March 2026, and the amount for this period is €58.104,00€.

5. Escolhas Programme. Financed by the transfer of tax revenues from the State Budget and by the European Structural and Investment Funds through the People 2030 Programme and the Algarve 2030 Programme. The programme started in 2023 for a period of three years. Budget: €26,119,713.06, corresponding to a maximum of 85% of the total cost of the project. The project consortium is responsible for the remaining 15%.