Spain continued to focus on enhancing social inclusion for its youth through various policy developments and public debates. 

Forthcoming Policy Developments

Youth Law

Spain is in the process of developing its first Youth Law, which aims to establish a legal framework that strengthens young people's rights and guarantees their active participation in political, social, economic, and cultural life. 

It seeks to address key areas such as youth employment, housing, education, and civic engagement while reinforcing institutional support for youth policies. 

Announced in January 2024, this law is being drafted through a participatory process involving youth organizations and stakeholders. Several key steps in the legislative process have already been completed, including public consultation, the formation of a working group, and, most recently, the conclusion of territorial meetings aimed at gathering input from different regions of Spain (INJUVE).

Once enacted, the Youth Law is expected to provide a more structured and rights-based approach to youth inclusion and empowerment in Spain.

Youth Strategy 2030

The Youth Strategy is being implemented through tree triennial action plans:

• First Action Plan (2022-2024): focusing on immediate measures to support youth development. This includes two hundred measures aimed at the empowerment and emancipation of young people, with a budget of 33,330 million Euros.
• Second Action Plan (2025-2027): building upon previous efforts, addressing emerging challenges and reinforcing successful initiatives.
• Third Action Plan (2028-2030): Planned for future implementation to achieve the long-term goals of the Youth Strategy 2030.

These action plans aim to coordinate activities of the General State Administration (AGE), the Spanish Youth Council (CJE), civil society, and autonomous communities to promote youth inclusion.

Research-based analysis of European youth programmes 

The RAY Network (Research-based Analysis of European Youth Programmes) periodically publishes reports evaluating the impact of European youth work initiatives, including those in Spain. These reports provide evidence on the effectiveness of programs in fostering social inclusion and youth engagement. The latest RAY report (2021-2023) includes an analysis of Spanish initiatives, offering valuable insights into their outcomes and guiding future policy decision. Full reports are available at: RAY Network Reports.

Ongoing Debates

• Digital inclusion of disadvantaged young people: Their inclusion in the information society and communication to avoid social gaps that lead to economic gaps
• Integration, cohesion and social and democratic participation: Channelling the political, social and cultural participation of youth
• Meeting the demographic challenges: Reverting the trend of population aging in Spain and favouring the increase of the birth rate among young Spaniards
• Strengthen the European identity of young Spaniards and their democratic spirit.
• Migration and youth inclusion, especially of unaccompanied minors. 

Social media regulation to combat misinformation, hate speech, and cyber harassment and safeguard user mental health, creating a safer environment for youth online.