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1. Mechanisms and actors

Mechanisms and actors

The National Youth Policy Strategy 2015-2020 (hereafter: Youth Strategy 2015-2020) was developed according to a cross-sectorial approach. However, in the absence of an action plan, the interventions planned by different ministries and institutions have been implemented in isolation and without a clear coordination. The delay in adoption a new Youth Strategy, between 2021 and 2024, has further hindered the cross-sectorial approach of the youth policy. 

A common policy was implemented until 2020 by the Ministry of Labour and Social Solidarity in cooperation with the Ministry of European Investments and Projects, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Tourism, providing the framework for funding the policy of youth employment, including the Youth Guarantee and the Youth Employment Initiative. Since 2021, the action plan for the reinforced Youth Guaranty is included in the National Strategy on Employment 2021-2027 (Strategia Nationala pentru Ocuparea Fortei de Munca 2021-2027) The cross-sectorial cooperation continues under the new employment strategy, but a more significant role is provided in the new period for another important stakeholder: the local authorities. 

There is a permanent inter-ministerial council for education, culture, research, youth and minorities mentioned in the Youth Law and working based on the Government Decision no. 750/2005. However, this council is not focused on youth policies, but rather on education and research. As a result of this lack of focus, there is not a clear distribution of responsibilities between departments, ministries or agencies in regard to youth policy making. Each ministry is focused on its own regulations and responsibilities and coordination in the field of youth is rather week. For instance, policies on youth volunteering can be developed by the Ministry of Family, Youth and Equal Opportunities and/or by the Ministry of Labour and Social Solidarity, without a clear distribution of responsibilities between them.

In 2017, cross-sectorial cooperation between all Ministers involved in the drafting of the new Youth Law generated the Coordination Committee of Public Polices in the Field of Youth. The council included: the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Finances, the Ministry of National Education, the Ministry of Labour and Social Justice, the Ministry of Regional Development, Public Administration and European Funds, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Truism, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Public Consultation and Social Dialogue. This Coordination Committee of Public Polices in the Field of Youth continued its work in 2018, but not in afterwards. It ended its activity when the Youth Law draft proposal was adopted by the Government and sent to the Parliament for approval.

No cross-sectorial cooperation council has been established in the context of the development of the new Youth Strategy, post 2021.