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1. Policy Framework

2. Formal learning

3. Non-formal and informal learning

4. Quality assurance/quality guidelines for non-formal learning

5. Educators' support

Policy Framework

The Youth Strategy 2030 (Estrategia Juventud 2030) serves as Spain's guiding framework for youth policies, aiming to address challenges and opportunities for the youth population. This strategy aligns with the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan (Plan de Recuperación, Transformación y Resiliencia - PRTR), ensuring that youth-related initiatives contribute to broader national goals.

Also, in the Organic Law 3/2020, which amends the previous Organic Law 2/2006 on Education (Ley Orgánica 3/2020, de 29 de diciembre, por la que se modifica la Ley Orgánica 2/2006, de 3 de mayo, de Educación - LOMLOE), incorporates measures to develop social and civic competencies among young people in a transversal way. These measures are integrated across various educational stages, emphasizing personalized attention, prevention of learning difficulties, and the promotion of critical thinking and personal initiative.

Formal learning

Spain's education system emphasizes the development of social and civic competencies through its curriculum (Ley Orgánica 2/2006):

• At the primary education level, the curriculum focuses on educational inclusion, personalized attention, and the prevention of learning difficulties.
• In Compulsory Secondary Education, objectives include fostering entrepreneurship, self-confidence, participation, critical thinking, personal initiative, and decision-making skills.
• Professional Training aims to equip students with the necessary skills for professional performance and active participation in social, cultural, and economic life.

Non-formal and informal learning

While Spain has a rich tradition of non-formal and informal learning opportunities, particularly in sports, arts, and religious activities, these structures are not as systematically developed as formal education. 

The Spanish Youth Council (Consejo de la Juventud de España - CJE) plays a pivotal role in collecting and disseminating information about these activities, promoting youth participation, and offering training courses related to youth policies and participation. Their annual training plan includes courses such as "Participation Management", "Youth Information" and "Local Youth Policies", each comprising 12 hours of instruction.

Moreover, Ministry of Social Rights, Consumers and Agenda 2030 provides both face-to-face and online training programmes. For instance, in September 2023, they offered a 30-huor course titles  "Participation of Children and Adolescents", aimed at enhancing understanding and practices related to youth participation.

Quality assurance/quality guidelines for non-formal learning

Currently, there is no standardized framework or strategy in Spain specifically dedicated to quality assurance in non-formal learning. The absence of a reference programme or strategy means that quality guidelines are not uniformly established across various non-formal learning initiatives.

Educators' support

Official initiatives to support educators in the field of youth participation are limited.

While some university manuals and private blogs led by teachers offer guidance and proposals there is a lack of centralized, formalized support structures. 

However, international training modules, such as the "Municipalities4Democracy" programme, are available to municipal youth policy officers and decision-makers, focusing on designing and implementing youth participation in municipal decision-making . For example, the Municipalities4Democracy - Youth participation in municipal decisions training course, open to municipal youth policy officers in Segovia in June-July 2025.