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1. Governance

2. Cross-sectoral cooperation

Youth policies in Spain, including those concerning youth work, have predominantly been designed and implemented at a regional level since the 1980s.  Following the democratic transition, Spain’s autonomous regions assumed responsibilities for youth policy as outlines in their Statutes of Autonomy (enforced between and 1983). As a result, the central government holds limited competences in youth matters.

However, one of the key challenges in youth work governance is the lack of effective coordination between the national, regional, and local authorities. This has resulted in a fragmented approach to youth work policies, where different regions implement varied practices without a unified national strategy. While there are mechanisms for interministerial cooperation, the coordination between levels is still inconsistent, leading to inefficiencies in policy alignment and data sharing.

Governance

Since youth work in Spain is mainly carried out at the regional level, it typically takes place through regional youth institutes, regional youth councils, and municipal youth departments. While regional governments hold significant responsibility, the central administration retains certain competences and responsibilities in youth work.

Key public actors in youth work

• Ministry of Youth and Children (Ministerio de Juventud e Infancia) — established in November 2023, this Ministry is responsible for coordinating and developing youth policies across Spain, with a focus on enhancing the rights and well-being of young people, including the promotion of youth participation in public life
• Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and 2030 Agenda (Ministerio Derechos Sociales, Consumo y Agenda 2030) — Although youth policies are now primarily handled by the Ministry of Youth and Children (as of November 2023) some functions still lie with this Ministry, particularly regarding social rights and inclusivity.
• Spanish Youth Institute (Instituto de la Juventud, INJUVE) — attached to the Ministry of Youth and Children and plays a central role in coordinating national youth policies and supporting youth organizations across the regions.
• Spanish Youth Council (Consejo de la Juventud) — represents youth organizations nationwide and promotes youth participation in policy-making.
• Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (Federación Española de Municipios y Provincias) — represents Spain's local and regional authorities, fostering cooperation and sharing best practices in various public policy fields, including youth work and social inclusion at the municipal level.
• Regional Youth Institutes with coordinating and service-providing roles — the following are tasked with coordinating regional youth policies, promoting youth social inclusion, and offering a broad range of services for youth such as youth housing, employment advice, and mental health programs:
  • Andalusian Youth Institute (Instituto de Juventud Andaluz)
  • Aragonese Youth Institute (Instituto de Juventud de Aragón, IAJ)
  • Asturian Youth Institute (Instituto Asturiano de la Juventud, IAJ)
  • Balearic Youth Institute (Instituto Balear de la Juventud)
  • Canary Islands General Directorate of Youth (Dirección General de Juventud)
  • Cantabria General Directorate of the Youth  (Dirección General de Juventud de Cantabria)
  • Castilla La Mancha General Directorate of the Youth and Sport (Dirección General de Juventud y Deportes)
  • Castilla y León Youth Institute (Instituto de la Juventud de Castilla y León)
  • Catalan Agency for the Youth (Agencia Catalana de la Juventud, ACJ)
  • Ceuta Youth House (La Casa de la Juventud de Ceuta)
  • Extremadura Youth Institute (Instituto de Juventud de Extremadura)
  • Galicia General Directorate of Youth, Participation, and Volunteering (Dirección General de Juventud, Participación y Voluntariado de Galicia)
  • La Rioja Youth Institute (Instituto Riojano de Juventud)
  • Melilla Youth Institute: Currently under construction
  • Murcia General Directorate of Youth (Dirección General de Juventud de Murcia)
  • Navarrese Youth Institute (Instituto Navarro de Juventud)
  • Valencian Youth Institute (Institut Valencià de la Joventut)

The Youth Law, currently under development, is expected to improve coordination between national, regional, and local authorities. It will help clarify roles and responsibilities in youth work governance, addressing the lack of coordination that has been noted in the past.

Non-public Actors

Several NGOs and associations provide non-formal education and support for youth development. These organizations work to promote volunteerism, cultural exchange, and the integration of youth at risk of social exclusion. 

Examples of key youth-focused NGOs include: 

• Association for the Youth Training and Intercultural Activities (Asociación para la Formación y Actividades Interculturales para la Juventud) — created in 1999 is linked with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations through the International Cultural Youth Exchange (Federación ICYE). Its main objective is to promote the development of the youth and the volunteer work, through activities of social interest. These activities promote youth training, cultural exchange and international mobility.
• Anar Foundation (Fundación Anar) — devoted to the support of children and adolescents at risk of social exclusion. It was created in 1970 and it works in Spain and South America. Its values are based on the Convention on the Rights of the Child of the United Nations.
• FAD Foundation (Fundación FAD) — works to enhance the social development of the youth. This organization aims to achieve this goal through education and the development of critical thinking, to prevent the youth from risky behaviours. It works under the Objectives of Sustainable Development of the United Nations, therefore contributes substantially to the development of the youth and social justice.
• Exit Foundation (Fundación Exit) — created in 2000, it works with young people at risk of social exclusion. This organization intends to prevent the early school dropout ensuring better labour market integration.
• YMCA (Asociación YMCA) —  created in 1980, it is a non-profit, non-denominational and non- political organisation, run by volunteers, which aims to improve society through the integral development of young people, creating opportunities, reducing their vulnerability and strengthening their environment.

Cross-sectoral cooperation

Although youth work  decision-making happens mostly at the regional level, some  regions delegate responsibilities to local government, fostering cross-sector cooperation between national, regional and local authorities. 

Two main bodies focus on fostering cooperation:

1. Interministerial Commission for Youth (La comisión interministerial para la juventud). Initially formed in 1986 (Real Decreto 658/1986), this committee plays a key role in shaping national youth policy. It was restructured in 2008 and currently operates under the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and 2030 Agenda (Ministerio de Derechos Sociales, Consumo y Agenda 2030).
2. Inter-regional Council of the Youth (El Consejo Interterritorial de Juventud). Established by INJUVE, this body brings together representatives from regional youth institutes and the FEMP (Federación Española de Municipios y Provincias to promote joint actions and share best practices across autonomous regions. Notably, the Youth Talent (Talento Joven) program and anti-radicalization initiatives have been key topics of discussion at the Inter-regional Council. 

These bodies have consolidated their role in facilitating cross-regional cooperation. However, the ongoing challenges in multilevel coordination that have yet to be fully addressed. The upcoming Youth Law is expected to play a key role in improving coordination, particularly through better alignment of policies and data sharing between levels of government.