It is one of the EU Youth Strategy's core priorities to fight the social exclusion and poverty affecting large numbers of young people in Europe. In this view, European countries have committed to ensure that those young people at risk of poverty and social exclusion gain the opportunities and resources necessary to participate fully in economic, social and cultural life. Governments have engaged to put in place policies supporting youth work and youth centres, reducing homelessness, housing and financial exclusion, promoting access to quality services, and supporting the development of intercultural awareness and competences for all young people.

This chapter presents information on the efforts made by each country to increase the inclusion of young people in society by describing:

4.1 General context

The main challenges to youth social inclusion, and specific concepts useful to understand countries' approaches in fighting it

4.2 Administration and governance

The way policy making in the field of youth social inclusion takes place

4.3 Strategy for the social inclusion of young people

Whether strategies to foster the social inclusion of young people are implemented

4.4 Inclusive programmes for young people

Whether specific programmes have been created for addressing different sorts of vulnerability and reducing marginalisation of young people

4.5 Initiatives promoting social inclusion and raising awareness

How social inclusion and the European values of tolerance, freedom and non-discrimination are promoted

4.6 Access to quality services

Whether housing, health, social or financial services promoting the social inclusion of young people are established

4.7 Youth work to foster social inclusion

What support is available to youth work activities helping the social inclusion of young people

4.8 Current debates and reforms

Brief information on emerging policy developments