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1. Youth parliament

2. Youth councils and/or youth advisory boards

3. Higher education student union(s)

4. School student union(s)

5. Other bodies

Youth parliament

Spain does not currently have a national youth parliament, nor is there any youth parliamentary structure recognised in its constitutional framework.

However, several regional and local initiatives exist to promote youth participation in policy-making, many under the label of parlamento joven (youth parliament). These initiatives vary in structure, scope, and level of institutionalisation, but share the goal of encouraging youth involvement in democratic processes.

Regional youth parliaments

The Youth Parliament of Navarre (Parlamento Joven Navarra) is a well-established regional model, It is considered one of Spain´s  pioneering youth participation bodies.

• Structural and legal basis: Created as a joint initiative by the Youth Council of Navarre and the Parliament of Navarre. It operates as a non-binding advisory body, not constitutional or statutory body.
• Composition: 30 youth representatives, elected by young people aged 14 to 30 residing in Navarre. Members serve one-year terms. Meets monthly in plenary session.
• Role: Discusses and adopts proposals, statements and opinions, which are submitted to the regional Parliament. It Acts as a non-binding advisory body. Its format draws from the Structured Dialogue methodology.
• Funding: Publicly funded by the Youth Council of Navarre and the Parliament of Navarre to cover organisational costs, training sessions, and participatory activities.

Local youth parliaments 

Several municipalities and provinces have developed youth parliament initiatives at the local level, often in partnership with schools, youth organisations, or provincial governments. These initiatives primarily serve an educational and consultative function.

For example, there are a number of local youth parliaments in Andalusia:

Youth councils and/or youth advisory boards

In Spain, there are multiple youth councils and advisory boards that provide platforms for youth participation in decision-making. These bodies can be found at the national, regional, and local levels, and they vary significantly in terms of structure, composition, and funding.

National Youth Council

Spain has a national youth representation body, The Spanish Youth Council (Consejo de la Juventud de España, CJE), which acts as the formal advisory and participatory platform for youth at State level. The CJE was established in 1983 and operates as an autonomous public body attached to the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumers and 2030 Agenda, functioning through the Youth Institute (INJUVE). 

Its main objectives are to:

1. Promote the participation of young people in Spanish political, social, economic, and cultural life
2. Channel their proposals, concerns, and demands to public institutions, social actors, and the media.
3. Play a consultative role in policymaking on youth-related issues.

Structure 

• The General Assembly: held every 2 years, gathers representatives from all the member organisations to set strategic priorities, review previous actions, approve financial accounts, and elect the Permanent Commission.
• The Executive Assembly: meets at least twice a year, to oversee implementation of the General Assembly´s decisions.  
• The Permanent Commission: the executive body, composed of nine youth representatives from different member organisations. Members must be under 31 years of age when taking office. Works in tandem with the Specialized Commissions and the working groups established by the Assembly, as well as the representation of the CJE in the institutions and organizations with which they maintain or initiate relations.
• The work of the Youth Council is supported by six Specialized Commissions: Socioeconomics, Participation and Associative Promotion, Integral Education, Rights and Equal Opportunities, External Relations and Institutional Development and International Relations. They are responsible for preparing the documents and proposals for concrete actions that serve as the basis for the decisions of the Council.

Funding and legal status

The CJE is publicly funded through an agreement with INJUVE. In the most recent funding cycle, this agreement provided €1 million to support its operations. The Council enjoys legal and administrative autonomy, while remaining under the umbrella of the Ministry of Social Rights.

The CJE represents Spain’s youth in various international bodies and networks, including the European Youth Forum, and maintains active cooperation with youth organisations in other countries and with European institutions.

Regional youth councils

Many Autonomous Communities in Spain have their own youth councils, which act as representative bodies for youth organisations within the region. These councils are involved in shaping local and regional youth policies and serve as consultative bodies to regional governments.

These councils play a significant role in promoting youth engagement in regional policy-making, representing youth interests, and facilitating intergovernmental collaboration on youth-related matters.

Local youth councils

Local youth councils exist in municipalities across Spain, and they provide a space for youth to engage with local governments, discuss issues, and influence policy decisions affecting young people at the local level.

Higher education student union(s)

School student union(s)

In Spain, there is no specific national legislation regulating school student unions as distinct legal entities.

However, the right of association for students is recognized by the Organic Law on the Right to Education (LODE 8/1985) and the Organic Law on Education (LOE 2/2006), establishing the legal basis for students to organise and participate in school life.

The most prominent organization at the national level is the Student Union (Sindicato de Estudiantes), which  represents students in secondary education, baccalaureate, vocational training and university. It includes students from public, private and semi-private (concertado) education centres. 

Legal and Institutional Role

Although it is not regulated by a specific student union law, the Student Union operates as a registered association under general legal provisions. It participates in national education policy discussions and holds four out of eight student seats on the State School Council (Consejo Escolar del Estado) , the highest advisory body in the Spanish education system.

Structure and Activities

The organisation has a State Executive Commission and various local structures. It advocates for the right to strike for students, improved quality of public education, the secularization of education and abolishing university entrance examinations (e.g EBAU). It regularly organises student protests, assemblies, and awareness campaigns on education policy.

Funding

The Student Union receives public financial support through general aid schemes for associations. Additional resources may come from project-based grants or local/regional support depending on activity scope.

Other bodies

Aside from the above-mentioned bodies (youth parliaments, youth councils, and student organisations), there are currently no additional youth representation bodies in Spain with a formal legal status or a clearly defined consultative role at national, regional, or local levels.

While some local youth forums or participatory bodies may exist in specific municipalities or Autonomous Communities, their activity and influence vary widely, and many do not have a stable structure, legal recognition, or long-term funding. These local initiatives are often project-based and dependent on local political will or civil society organisations.

For this reason, no other organisations are currently highlighted at the national level in terms of formal youth representation or policy participation