European Youth Forum 8 standards for a quality youth policy
8 Standards for a quality youth policy

  1. Summary of the standards

    • 2 visuals in a wheel shape
    • 1 with only the 8 standards
    • Another circle with the 8 standards including the indicators

  2. Introduction to the matrix

    For each of the eight standards, the framework we are proposing includes the following elements:

    • A definition of the standard
    • A set of indicators to assess if the standard is reached. For this, you are invited to tick one of the 4 boxes: absent, fair, good, acquired
    • A list of criteria: this list is to help you by giving you specific examples of what can be put in place for the indicator to be reached. Therefore, before ticking the box of the indicator, go through the criteria list and try to assess whether this is in place or not!

  3. Liaison persons

    Lea Wisseler

    Lea Wisseler

    Lea Wisseler

    Lea Wisseler

    Country Germany
    Organisation YMCA Europe
    Email address leawisseler@hotmail.de

    Previous experience

    I have been a member of the YMCA since I attended a YMCA summer camp at the age of 9. Later on, I established my own weekly children and teenage groups in my local YMCA. During my internship in YMCA Palatinate I got involved in the global and European youth movement and started realizing the political impact of youth engagement. I have been involved in the Youth Empowerment Space of YMCA Europe for the last two years. As a member of the Youth Policy Group of YMCA Europe I am developing policy papers on various topics concerning youth. This year I also joined the „Young Mediterreanean Voices Plus“  Initiative.

    Besides my voluntary activities I am currently finishing my Bachelor’s degree in Middle Eastern Studies with major politics and want to continue with a Master’s degree in this field.

    Why expert groups on youth policy?

    Youth must be able to shape policy on every level. Young people must be given the space to express themselves and it needs to be common standard for stakeholders to consult young people on topics that affect them.

    Adrian Balutel

    Adrian Balutel

    Adrian Balutel

    Adrian Balutel

    Country Republic of Moldova
    Organisation National Youth Council of Moldova
    Email address Adrianbalutel@gmail.com

    Previous experience

    Dedicated JEF-er, Vice president of the National Youth Council of Moldova (2013-2015) and Vice President of the National NGO Council of Moldova (2015-2017). Coordinator of the Youth Working Group of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum. Also worked within OSCE Youth Ambassadors programmed and various expert commissions on youth matters at national and regional level.

    Why expert groups on youth policy?

    Because contributing to the youth policies development is interesting and enriching and gives the possibility to use your past experience and expertise fort he good. I believe in participative processes and such expert groups brings different views and perspectives tot he work oft he board oft he YFJ and increases the overall impact of the YFJ team. Beside this, it’s unbelievably exciting to create or improve the products of the Youth Forum, knowing that it will contribute to the youth policies around the Europe and beyond.

    Alexandra Mircheva

    Alexandra Mircheva

    Alexandra Mircheva

    Alexandra Mircheva

    Country Bulgaria
    Organisation National Youth Forum of Bulgaria
    Email address mircheva.alexandra@gmail.com

    Previous experience

    Alexandra Mircheva is а Vice-President of the National Youth Forum – Bulgaria responsible for International cooperation and Structured Dialogue. She has been actively involved in youth work and youth NGOs for the past 8 years as a youth activist and youth trainer in the fields of youth participation in decision-making processes, youth empowerment and building organisational capacity for advocacy. As a part of the National Youth Forum – Bulgaria she is currently involved in advocacy for quality youth policies on national level especially in the ongoing amendments on the Law on Youth, the National Youth Strategy and adoption of a Law on Volunteering.

    Alexandra is managing the project of the National Working Group on Structured dialogue (2017-2018) for national and local activities and engagement of all stakeholders in the process. She is also a part of the European Steering Committee for the current cycle of the Structure Dialogue under the Trio Presidency of Estonia, Bulgaria and Austria on behalf of the National Youth Forum – Bulgaria.

    Dana Pourkomeylian

    Dana Pourkomeylian

    Dana Pourkomeylian

    Dana Pourkomeylian

    Country Sweden
    Organisation LSU
    Email address dana.pourkomeylian@lsu.se

    Previous experience

    Although Dana Pourkomeylian doesn’t stand on any party political platform, she is still known as one of Sweden’s most prominent young politicians with many debates, media performances and a TED talk behind her. From starting her own political think tank for young people in 2014 to becoming Sweden’s Youth Representative in the European Union, she has gathered a large following, fighting for the rights of women, ethnic minorities and young people’s access to democratic influence.

    Ekaterine Tsvariani

    Ekaterine Tsvariani

    Ekaterine Tsvariani

    Ekaterine Tsvariani

    Country Georgia
    Organisation National Council of Youth Organizations of Georgia
    Email address Eka.ncyog@gmail.com

    Previous experience

    I have been active in the youth sector on both national and international levels since 2007. During these years, I have successfully accumulated practical and theoretical knowledge concerning all the aspects of youth work and Youth Policy development. Since 2010, I am actively engaged in the process of development National Youth Policy in Georgia. In 2010 Ministry of sport and Youth Affairs of Georgia with UNICEF started the formation of first National Youth Policy Document,  with Georgian youth NGOs I was engaged in developing position paper and recommendations, which later on were reflected in policy document and action plan. I have been supporting and actively engaged in the development of Eastern Partnership Youth Cooperation and Black Sea Regional Youth Cooperation through initiating and organizing various projects/ researches on youth policy and youth participation on the regional and local levels, establishing strong partnerships between relevant organizations and networks at national and international levels.

    Why expert groups on youth policy?

    My vision of  youth policy is that it should address youth needs at both individual and environmental levels. Creating enabling environment that promotes greater social inclusion and participation is an essential prerequisite for youth empowerment. It allows young people not only develop individually but as part of a bigger community bringing lasting positive change. I believe that encouraging active contribution of young people themselves is what going to make the  youth policy successful. I think that for the effective implementation of the youth policy, a broader approach that incorporates education, economic and social policies is necessary. As member of the Youth Policy Expert Group, I will dedicate myself to promoting main youth policy objectives such as enabling environment and active citizenship through projects and initiatives. Over the past years I have been actively encouraging and supporting non-formal learning opportunities and voluntary activities at local and national levels. A specific emphasis would be made on promotion of participatory youth policy and development of a dialogue between the youth and policy makers. My goal will be to support those initiatives that ensure that the voice of young people is heard and is taken into account.

    Lukas Stede

    Lukas Stede

    Lukas Stede

    Lukas Stede

    Country Germany
    Organisation DNK (German National Committee for International Youth Work), BDL (Rural Youth Germany)
    Email address lukas.stede1994@web.de

    Previous experience

    I started doing youth policy a few years ago as a member of the rural youth in my state. Right now I’m also a member of the young liberals and actively involved in representing youngsters especially from rural areas all over Germany and Europe. I have gained some experience in different committees in Germany.

    Why expert groups on youth policy?

    My aim is to give young people a strong and loud voice in politics especially in the European Union because I think that Europe is our future and we should be able to participate in decision-making on our future. However, young people are not only underrepresented in politics on the level of the European Union. Youngsters should be involved and heard in other countries on the different levels as well. Therefore I will support the Youth Policy Expert Group with my knowledge, my energy and my ideas.

    Marko Boko

    Marko Boko

    Marko Boko

    Marko Boko

    Country Croatia
    Organisation Advisory Council on Youth- Council of Europe
    Email address marko@mmh.hr

    Previous experience

    Marko Boko (27) is a member of the Bureau of the Advisory Council on Youth of the Council of Europe. Previously he has been acting as a president of the Croatian Youth Network (MMH) and of the Advisory Council on Youth of the Government of Republic of Croatia, where he has been following youth policy, youth rights and youth work development. He is currently employed as an PR consultant in Zagreb and organizer of the biggest regional graffiti and street art festival.

    Ville Majamaa

    Ville Majamaa

    Ville Majamaa

    Ville Majamaa

    Country Finland
    Organisation European Youth Forum
    Email address ville.majamaa@youthforum.org

    Previous experience

    I began my path in youth organisations in a local scout group in Helsinki back when I was 11. Since then, I have been active also in Finnish and European level student organisations, Young European Federalists and the Red Cross. In November 2016, I was elected to the board of the European Youth Forum; also responsible for youth policy. Besides volunteering, I just finished the first year of my MA in Russian politics in London and I’m looking forward to my year in Moscow from this September onward. Apart from serious stuff, my to-do list consists of musicals, second hand bookshops and a karaoke night with Les Mis songs.

    Why expert groups on youth policy?

    For me, quality, rights-based youth policy is the practical answer to the many challenges young people in Europe are facing and the ONLY way to ensure the sustainability and prosperity of our societies in the long term.

    Piotr Warzyszynski

    Piotr Warzyszynski

    Piotr Warzyszynski

    Piotr Warzyszynski

    Country Poland
    Organisation Polish Council of Youth Organisations
    Email address p.warzyszynski@europe4youth.eu

    Previous experience

    My adventure with youth policy started in 2007, when I got involved in a local NGO aiming to rise participation of young people in the local society. Since that time I was involved in different youth organisations working in the field of youth policy in Poland and in Germany. I am a founder of the Europe 4 Youth Association and coordinator of City Bound Europe Network. On the daily basis I am working as a freelance trainer and facilitator in the topic of European Youth Policy and strategic management of youth organisations.

    In 2015-2016 I was a board member of the Polish Council of Youth Organisations. Before joining the Youth Policy Expert Group I was involved in the Youth Work Recognition Network.

    Why expert groups on youth policy?

    I believe, that future of Europe is our responsibility. Young people, through youth organisations, ca make a positive change in society. Therefore my motivation to join the Youth Policy Expert Group is to support young people and youth organisations in their activities and actions.

    Ana Stromajer

    Ana Stromajer

    Ana Stromajer

    Ana Stromajer

    Country Slovenia
    Organisation MSS
    Email address ana.stromajer@mss.si

    Previous experience

    During my study times I was active in different youth organizations and associations. Later on I work as a Project Manager in different youth NGOs.

    In 2013 I start working at National Youth Council of Slovenia as a Project Manager where I currently works as a Policy Officer for Youth Participation. I am also responsible for Structure dialogue in Slovenia. I was youth delegate at EU Youth Conferences during the 5th cycle of Structured Dialogue and member of National Working Group on Structured dialogue. I am also actively involved in expert groups on youth participation in Slovenia.

    Why expert groups on youth policy?

    Youth participation and the creation of conditions for it, are important challenges in democratic  societies  and  are  key  requirements  for  the  society  to  prosper  and  to develop  in  a  sustainable  way.  Considering  that  it  touches  upon  different  areas, institutions and policies, youth participation cannot be regulated in one single place.

    A definition of youth says that one is young until one has reached the desired points  of  growing  up , and has thus become autonomous and independent. Youth policies intend to properly regulate these key transitions in the lives of individuals.

At the top of each section of a new standard, you can find the wheel. This is also a tool to help you to visualise the state of the youth policy in your context.

While you go through the indicators and the criteria, we invite you to colour the indicators as follows:

Once you have coloured the indicator, you can also colour the standard, according to the overall assessment.

Easy and fun, now it’s YOUR turn to have a go…

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Standard 1: Rights-based approach to youth policy

Youth policy should be based on the standards set out by the international human rights framework and follow the principles of equality and non-discrimination. A rights-based approach3 to youth policy urges policymakers to work towards the long-term fulfillment of youth rights, including the right to participate in defining those rights, and empowers young people by defining them as rights-holders.

Indicator 1

Youth rights as a concept is recognised in the relevant policy documents

Mark the appropriate category

Criteria list:

  • The term and concept of youth rights is being expressed within official legislation/strategies relevant for youth.
  • Youth policy acknowledges all youth rights with equal status: they cannot be ranked in hierarchical order.
Indicator 2

Youth policy is clearly anchored in the universal values or pluralist, democracy and human rights and addresses positively and equally all young people, regardless of their gender, race, ethic group etc

Mark the appropriate category

Criteria list:

  • Youth policy is non-discriminatory/universal: the target group for youth policy measures is inclusive and encompasses all young people.
  • Youth policy develops a positive approach towards young people, considering them as a resource rather than a problem.
Indicator 3

The national youth policy endorses the existing legal instruments on Human Rights

Mark the appropriate category

Criteria list:

  • The term and concept of youth rights is being expressed within official legislation/strategies relevant for youth.
  • Youth policy is non-discriminatory/universal: the target group for youth policy measures is inclusive and encompasses all young people.
  • Youth policy acknowledges all youth rights with equal status: they cannot be ranked in hierarchical order.
  • The national youth policy is in line with the European Social Charter of the Council of Europe.
  • The national youth policy is in line with the European Convention on Human Rights.
  • The national youth policy is in line with the Lisbon Treaty (Article 1a, Article 2).
Indicator 4

Youth policy recognises young people not as beneficiaries, but as participating rights bearers. Thus it establishes corresponding duty bearers like Member States and other public actors, who can be held accountable to the rights of young people.

Mark the appropriate category

Criteria list:

  • The government takes an action to ensure young people’s access to quality education and training, to decent work and living conditions.
  • The government takes action to ensure young people’s autonomy as well as their sense of responsibility and participation.
  • There are information and counselling services at local, regional or national level.
  • The government provides and supports actions and activities to promote awareness and understanding of rights amongst young people, including through formal and non-formal education.
  • Human Rights education is implemented in formal education curricula

Standard 2: Evidence-based youth policy

An evidence-based youth policy means that all stages of youth policy development use and are based on reliable, relevant, independent and up-to-date data and research, in order for youth policy to reflect the needs and realities of young people.

Indicator 1

Research is regularly conducted on the living conditions, aspirations and perceptions of representative groups of young people.

Mark the appropriate category

Criteria list:

  • Research is published or reviewed at least once a year.
  • The research used for policy-making reflects the situation of all young people. (Not only of specific groups)
Indicator 2

Research data is independent and not manipulated throughout all parts of the policy cycle.

Mark the appropriate category

Criteria list:

  • The result of the research is verified by the scientific community.
  • The research published mentions the sources of data that have been used.
  • The research published uses different sources of data.
  • There are independent and non-political researchers/institutions/think tanks working on youth.
Indicator 3

Appropriate resources (financial, human…) are allocated for youth-related research.

Mark the appropriate category

Criteria list:

  • There is sufficient budget made available for employing independent researchers
  • There is sufficient budget for an independent body on youth that focuses on research
  • There is sufficient budget for conducting different forms of research
Indicator 4

The policy is based on up-to-date information and research.

Mark the appropriate category

Criteria list:

  • Throughout the policy cycle up-to-date information and research is used.
  • Monitoring of the adopted policies is based on up-to date information and research
  • Youth policies must be based on a diverse range of evidence-based methods (data, focus groups, surveys etc.).

Standard 3: Participatory Youth Policy

Participatory youth policy involves all stakeholders, at all stages of the policy cycle, from creation and implementation to evaluation. Stakeholders are youth organisations, young people, and all other organisations as well as individuals who are influencing and/or are being influenced by the policy. Particular attention is paid to participation of vulnerable and marginalised groups among all stakeholders. Mechanisms to ensure that the policy development, implementation and evaluation are participative must be ensured and made transparent.

Indicator 1

All relevant stakeholders (civil society organisations, and other sectors of the society) are involved in all phases of the policy cycle.

Mark the appropriate category

Criteria list:

  • There is an open and user-friendly consultation process for stakeholders in the creation, implementation and evaluation phase, which is done through different communication channels to widen the reach of consulted groups (e.g. online, offline, face-to-face, etc.)
  • Policy makers publicly provide feedback to the participants after the consultation process.
  • Relevant stakeholders (depending on the policy area) are invited by the public authority for a face-to-face meeting to provide input to the discussion.
Indicator 2

Youth organisations are involved in all phases of the policy cycle.

Mark the appropriate category

Criteria list:

  • Young people are specifically consulted before a policy-making process starts.
  • There are regular online and offline consultations conducted between youth organisations and policy-makers to ensure a dialogue.
  • There is a co-management system (or other structural tools) in place at all levels, to enable young people to be represented in the policy process.
  • The involvement of youth organisations (youth-led and/or working for young people) occurs in all phases of the policy-cycle (not only in the implementation, but also in the development and in the evaluation)
  • Youth organisations are considered as key stakeholders when policies affecting youth are developed.
Indicator 3

Specific efforts are made by the public authorities to involve unorganised youth and young people with fewer opportunities throughout the policy cycle.

Mark the appropriate category

Criteria list:

  • Before the start of the process, there is a plan put forward to include the participation of non-organised young people and young people with fewer opportunities within the policy cycle.
  • Youth work or non-formal methodologies is used in all phases of engagement of young people.
  • The meetings, consultations and activities regarding the policy process are adapted and made accessible for young people with fewer opportunities.
  • Policy makers provide feedback on how the results of these consultations were used.
  • Participative mechanisms are thought through and developed with young people and the youth organisations who are facing the biggest barriers to participate, adapting to the rhythm, language, form and way of working of those organisations/young people.

Standard 4: Multi-level youth policy

Multi-level youth policy means that it is developed, implemented, and evaluated in a coordinated manner between all relevant public authorities from local, regional, national and European levels. The principle of subsidiarity is respected – policies are put in place at the level most effective and closest to people.

Indicator 1

The national youth strategy and youth policies acknowledge the existence of policy frameworks at other levels.

Mark the appropriate category

Criteria list:

  • The national youth strategy refers to the thematic priorities of the relevant European strategy (EU and Council of Europe)
  • The national youth strategy refers to the thematic priorities of the relevant global strategy (World Programme of Action for Youth – WPAY)
  • The national youth strategy recognises the existence of related frameworks in other public authorities levels
Indicator 2

The national, regional and local level youth strategy/policy objectives are coordinated and thus complementary and mutually reinforcing

Mark the appropriate category

Criteria list:

  • There is a body (department, committee, ministry) dealing with youth issues at each level of the public authority.
  • There is a clear division of competences and responsibilities amongst the different levels of public authority regarding youth policy.
  • There is a coordinating body on the appropriate level of public authority that monitors youth policies at all levels.
Indicator 3

Youth policy measures reflect the geographical and socio-economic diversity within and in between different administrative units (such as municipalities, regions, federal states or overseas territories et cetera).

Mark the appropriate category

Criteria list:

  • The youth strategy/youth policies recognise, identify and introduce measures to address the geographical and socio-economic disparities amongst young people.
  • The local youth policy measures reflect the specific conditions and challenges of the young people in the local area.

Standard 5: Strategic Youth Policy

Strategic youth policy is based on an overarching strategy or a legal framework built around a long-term vision and consisting of a set of measurable, resourced and time-lined objectives, identified target groups and a clear division of responsibilities amongst the different public authorities for its implementation and evaluation.

Indicator 1

There is an overarching youth strategy.

Mark the appropriate category

Criteria list:

  • The document exists.
  • The document is publicly available.
  • The target groups for the policy measures are defined within the strategy.
Indicator 2

The objectives of the youth strategy are measurable, resourced and time-lined.

Mark the appropriate category

Criteria list:

  • The strategy is accompanied by a separate implementation plan with specific objectives, key performance indicators and assessment criteria.
  • There is a budget planned and made available to implement the strategy.
  • The strategy has time-bound objectives and is subjected to periodical reviews by the appropriate public authority.
  • The youth strategy consists of both short and long term policy measures.

Standard 6: Availability of resources for youth policy

Sufficient resources, both in terms of funding and human resources are available for youth organisations, youth work providers as well as public authorities to develop, implement and evaluate quality youth policy. Supportive measures, from training schemes to funding programmes, are made available to ensure the capacity building of the actors and structures of youth policy.

Indicator 1

There are sufficient financial resources made available by the government for youth organisations, to support the implementation of youth policies.

Mark the appropriate category

Criteria list:

  • Grants (both administrative and project-based grants) and other resources are made available by the government to ensure that youth organisations can carry out their activities sustainably.
  • Grants (both administrative and project-based grants) and other resources are made available by the government to ensure that youth workers can carry out their activities sustainably.
  • There are publicly funded investments made into the development of youth work.
  • Youth organisations are involved in the management of funding and grants.
Indicator 2

Youth organisations and young people are supported with capacity building by public authorities.

Mark the appropriate category

Criteria list:

  • There are financial means to ensure sufficient human resources and capacity building within youth organisations.
  • There are programmes available to train youth leaders in order to ensure capacity building.
  • Knowledge and information on capacity building (such as guides on best practice and training programmes) is easily accessible for youth and their organisations.
Indicator 3

There are sufficient financial and human resources available for public authorities working on youth policy.

Mark the appropriate category

Criteria list:

  • There are financial means to ensure sufficient human resources and capacity building of public authorities.
  • There is a sustainable budget available for public authorities to ensure the commitment to their work on youth.
  • There are educational programmes available for civil servants working on youth issues.
  • Knowledge and information on youth (such as research and data) is easily accessible for public authorities working on youth.

Standard 7: Political commitment and accountability in youth policy

Political commitment and accountability means that decision makers are taking the appropriate measures to implement youth policy in a transparent way and ensure reporting on their actions in an objective way. Youth organisations and young people are an active part of the policy cycle and decision makers are held accountable for their actions.

Indicator 1

The various stakeholders in the policy making process take responsibility for their actions and can be held accountable for them.

Mark the appropriate category

Criteria list:

  • The responsibilities between the various stakeholders are clearly defined and publicly known.
  • There are clear development targets in place to measure the advancement of youth policy which makes it possible to hold policy-makers accountable.
  • The various stakeholders respond in a timely way to feedback addressed to them.
  • All relevant institutions working on youth issues are easily accessible for young people.
Indicator 2

There is public reporting done by policymakers throughout all stages of the policy cycle of youth policy on a regular basis.

Mark the appropriate category

Criteria list:

  • There is a public report published periodically by the government on youth policy.
  • Information on all stages of the policy cycle is easily accessible for youth through media and other information channels such as the internet, governmental information channels etc.
  • Information published is written in language accessible for all.
Indicator 3

Youth organisations are monitoring youth policy implementation in order to ensure that the needs and interests of young people are met.

Mark the appropriate category

Criteria list:

  • Youth organisations are participating in the monitoring of the implementation stage and their feedback is taken into consideration.
  • There is a continuous advocacy process around youth policy to inform and make young citizens aware, with the aim of ensuring the implementation and monitoring of youth policy.

Standard 8: Cross-sectorial youth policy

Cross-sectoral youth policy implies there is coordination among different ministries, departments and public bodies responsible for and working on issues affecting young people, jointly working on the creation, implementation and evaluation of youth policy.

Indicator 1

There is an effective and coordinated collaboration across sectors, ministries and other relevant entities.

Mark the appropriate category

Criteria list:

  • There is a structure that provides the possibility for consultations and coordination among different institutions (e.g. governmental advisory boards, coordination mechanisms, interministerial committee etc.)
  • There are regular meetings organised between actors from different sectors in order to review policies.
  • Institutions involved in youth policy by other than the youth ministry, receive training on youth issues from the government.
  • Youth authorities should not respond to only one department/ministry, but should have effective cross-sectoral responsibilities and means.
Indicator 2

Youth issues are mainstreamed throughout different relevant policy areas, hence acknowledging that youth issues are horizontal.

Mark the appropriate category

Criteria list:

  • Public authorities acknowledge that youth policy needs a horizontal approach (e.g mention in the youth strategy).
  • Youth issues are being dealt with by different ministries / departments of public institutions.
  • There is a person/team in charge of mainstreaming youth issues throughout different sectors (e.g. employment, health, education).
Indicator 3

The evaluation of youth policy is used as a mechanism of peer learning for different sectors of the government.

Mark the appropriate category

Criteria list:

  • There is an evaluation process within the institutions directly involved in youth policy.
  • The results are shared between relevant institutions.
  • Each sector of government is provided with results of the evaluation of youth policy implementation as a way of strengthening future policies.

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