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1. Legal/policy framework for the functioning and development of youth organisations

2. Public financial support

3. Initiatives to increase the diversity of participants

Legal/policy framework for the functioning and development of youth organisations

There is a long tradition of awarding government grants to non-profit youth organisations in Sweden. In 1954, the Swedish Parliament decided on a policy of general grants to youth organisations. At that time, grants were allocated according to number of members between 12 and 25 years of age.

About 40 years later, in 1997, the number of youth organisations eligible for government grants was 62, and the total number of members was 592 000 persons between 7 and 25 years of age (National Board for Youth Affairs, 1998).

In 2024, 110 youth organisations received in total 22 million euros (262 million kronor) in government grants, compared to 114 organisations that received 22 million euros in 2023 (262 million kronor) and 114 organisations that received 27 million euros in 2022 (312 million kronor), according to MUCFs Annual report 2024.

Main principles and goals

According to the Ordinance on State Grants for Child and Youth Organisations, the purpose of the grant is to support children’s and young people’s independent organisation and influence in society.

The ordinance defines the formal requirements and conditions that organisations must meet. These conditions have been revised to ensure that grants are not awarded to organisations failing to respect democratic values, thereby safeguarding trust in the system. A grant may be submitted only to youth organisations that are non-profit with voluntary membership, independent and democratic, that respect democratic ideals (including equality and non-discrimination) and that have operated in Sweden for at least two years. 

Public financial support

Of the 2024 central government budget for the youth policy area, about 24 million euros (SEK 280 million) were allocated as a state grant to youth organisations, according to the Swedish Agency for Youth and Civil Society's 2025 appropriation directive.  Organisational grants may be provided to non-profit child and youth organisations that have at least 1 000 members between 6 and 25 years of age, and that have member associations in at least five counties.

Organisation grants may also be provided to:

• non-profit child and youth organisations representing national minorities in Sweden that have at least 200 members between 6 and 25 years of age and conduct community-based activities, with an adequate geographical distribution of member associations in line with their membership base.
• non-profit child and youth organisations representing disabled young people that have at least 200 members between 6 and 25 years of age, and member associations in at least three counties.

The grant may be used to cover costs for both ordinary activities and for other items. Among costs for ordinary activities, the following may be included: 

• grants to local member organisations
• costs for membership activities and board meetings
• cost for administration, rents and inventory
• cost for salaries and fees. 

There are no restrictions to how the grant is distributed between different costs. Costs for items other than ordinary activities may be costs for specific projects, for instance outreach activities.

Project grants to youth organisations, local level

Of the total 24 million euros (SEK 280 million) allocated for grants to youth organisations in 2024, the Government earmarked 1.5 million euros (SEK 18 million) in grants to local youth projects. Only non-profit child and youth organisations can apply for these grants. The planned project may last for a maximum period of 12 months. Support may be extended, upon renewal, for up to three years.

The applying organisations must be democratically structured and follow the ideals of democracy. The grant may not be used for regular activities or administrative costs of the organisation. 20 organisations were awarded grants in 2024 (MUCFs Annual Report 2024). Several projects aimed at providning cultural activities and several at offering meeting places for youth.

Swedish Inheritance Fund

The property of a deceased person goes to the Swedish Inheritance Fund (Allmänna arvsfonden), if there is no spouse, close relatives, or will. The Fund supports non-profit organisations and other voluntary associations wishing to test new ideas for developing activities for children, young people and the disabled. Applications are most often submitted by non-profit organisations engaged in voluntary work. Municipalities may receive grants to implement a project, in such cases the project should be innovative and be conducted in close cooperation with a non-profit organisation. A project may be supported from the Inheritance Fund for up to three years.

In 2024, 87 million euros (SEK 956 million) were distributed in project grants. About 25 million euros (SEK 274 million) for projects with target group children and 35 million euros (SEK 380 million) for projects targeting youth. Projects targeting persons with disabilities were allocated about 18 million euros (SEK 203 million). In this category, the main focus is on persons over 25 or on projects not tied to a specific age group (Annual Report 2024).

Initiatives to increase the diversity of participants

The Government commissioned MUCF (then the Swedish National Board for Youth Affairs) from 2010 to 2013, to distribute specific grants for outreach activities (engagemangsguider). The target group was both youth organisations and other civil society organisations, aiming to reach groups with low participation, particularly young people and women in disadvantaged areas.

A total of 65 projects received grants between 2010 and 2013, amounting to 40 million SEK (4.2 million euros). Both local clubs and national organisations participated. Sports activity was the most popular theme for the outreach activities. Towards the end of that period, the projects were more tightly focused on newly arrived immigrants and unaccompanied youth as a target group. The grant has ceased.

Since 2021 the government has commissioned the Swedish Agency for Youth and Civil Society, MUCF, to distribute a public grant for initiatives that promote venues for young LGBTI-persons. In 2024 the grant was 2.1 million SEK (0.2 million euros). 

In 2024 the Government started a public grant, Increased Engagement in Civil Society. This grant supports initiatives that develop competence, resources and tools within organisations in order to: 

• create new forms of engagement or
• reaches new target groups or
• in other ways supports measures to increase the engagement within civil society or
• arranges leadership training, mentorship programs or similar educational efforts for young people.

Projects with the strongest potential to boost civic engagement are prioritised, followed by those engaging people in socioeconomically challenged areas or those implemented in cooperation with municipalities.

In 2025 the Government is introducing a reform, the Leisure-time Card (Fritidskortet) The aim of the Leisure-time Card reform is to give more children and youth access to sports, culture, outdoor life and association life. Entitled to use the Leisure-time Card are children and youth between 8 and 16 years of age. The Leisure-time Card shall be used for payment of some charges för some leader led leisure activities. Youth organisations are welcome to organise such acitivities. A higher value for children and youth in socioeconomically vulnerable families will be available on the card. Until december 2025 more than 340 000 Leisure-time Cards has been granted and more than 5 400 organisations are offering activities.