Youth policy defines the goals and methods of ensuring youth participation in public affairs.
Youth policy is primarily regulated by the Youth Law. It governs persons involved in the implementation of youth policy and their areas of competence, youth participation in the development and implementation of youth policy, and the basic principles for granting funding to youth initiatives, for youth participation in decision-making, and for youth work. These basic principles include, but are not limited to:
- the principle of participation
- the principle of availability of information
- the principle of equal opportunities
- the principle of respecting the interests of youth
- the principle of mobility and international co-operation
Local governments are especially involved in implementing youth policy. In particular, the Youth Law requires that the local government should ensure that youth organisations and initiative groups are able to participate in discussions regarding decisions of the local government affecting youth policy prior to the taking thereof.