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1. Existence of a national strategy to increase young people's political and civil society participation

2. Scope and contents

3. Responsible authority for the implementation of the strategy

4. Monitoring and evaluation

5. Revisions/ Updates

Existence of a national strategy to increase young people's political and civil society participation

There is no specific strategy for increasing young people’s participation in Sweden. Instead, youth participation is integrated as a component of the Swedish youth policy objective, approved by Parliament in 2014:

‘All young people should have good living conditions, the power to shape their own lives and influence over the society society’s development.

Moreover, initiatives to foster young people's political participation are streamlined in the national democracy policy. The communication, ‘Policy for a living democracy’ (En politik för en levande demokrati), outlined measures to increase young people's political participation. These are presented in 'Scope and contents' below. 'Policy for a living democracy' is based on research, reports and evaluations, not on involvement of youth or other stakeholders.

Scope and contents

The communication ‘Policy for a living democracy’ from 2013 has five points of departure:

1. A high and more equal voter turnout

According to the communication, voter turnout is an expression of the rootedness of democracy in society. Moreover, a higher turnout also means a more equal turnout, so election results more accurately reflect the diverse interests and views expressed in society.

2. Broader and equal participation in elected assemblies

The main argument is that it is crucial to the vitality of democracy that there is widespread interest in holding elected office and participating in elected assemblies. According to the Communication, it is also important for decision-making political assemblies to reflect the composition of the population, above all with respect to sex, age and country of birth. In the policy it is reported that young people are underepresented in elected assemblies.

3. Strengthened opportunities for influence, transparency and participation between elections

The communication emphasised all individuals being able to make their voices heard in ways other than voting during general elections. A continuous dialogue between decision-makers and voters is a significant factor in the rootedness of democracy in society. Furthermore, the Communication argued that it is particularly important to create opportunities for influence among those who otherwise participate to a lesser extent. Although emphasised in the policy no national mechanism available for all has been introduced. On the local level authorities volontarily offer mechanisms like hearings, web-panels or petitioning systems.

4. Increased democratic awareness

Awareness of the fundamental principles of democracy and knowledge of the rules of democracy are a prerequisite for a functioning democratic form of government.

5. Safeguarding democracy against violence-promoting extremism

According to the Communication, ideological violence directed at society’s institutions, its representatives or at private citizens is a challenge for democracy and social cohesion in society. Furthermore, a society that does not clearly distance itself from violence promoting extremism and ideologically motivated violence risks becoming polarised. It is reported in the policy that the government has commissioned to a research officer to produce an education material addressing relevant occupational groups including teachers.

Responsible authority for the implementation of the strategy

The Government, specifically the Ministry for Culture, is responsible for actions within its domain. For each action of the strategy, the Government commissions a responsible authority or organisation. In general, a final report is presented for the Government after the task has been implemented.

Revisions/Updates

In 2018, the Government highlighted the challenges facing democracy and set priorities for democracy policy for the years 2018-2021, in a renewed strategy and action programme (Strategi för en stark demokrati – främja, förankra, försvara). The strategy draws attention to the fact that in 2021 it is 100 years since democracy was established in Sweden with universal and equal suffrage for both women and men.

The strategy contains three priority areas:

• Promote - more people should be involved in democracy
• Anchor - more people should have knowledge of democracy
• Defend - more people must stand up for democracy

The strategy does not contain any major innovations or tasks targeting young people which creates a gap between the strategy and the possiblities of young people to participate.