Youth policy in Vilnius: do you really know how it changes your life?

ARTICLE SHARED BY VILNIAUSKRASTAS.LT

Youth policy often sounds too formal, although in reality it is about the everyday life and opportunities of young people. It is because of it that spaces for young people are created in Vilnius, events are held, and assistance is offered to those who are looking for themselves after school, university studies or their first job. In other words, it is the policy that determines whether a young person will feel good living in the city.

What is youth policy and what does it cover?

Youth policy is a set of decisions that aim to create the best possible conditions for young people (aged 14-29) to grow, learn, work, participate in society and feel heard. It covers everything from youth spaces, volunteering programmes and employment opportunities to mental health support or social inclusion.

It is important to know that youth policy is horizontal, meaning it covers various areas: education, culture, health, employment, housing, etc. It operates at both the national and municipal levels.

Who takes care of her?

At the national level, youth policy is formulated and supervised by several institutions. The Committee on Youth and Sports Affairs of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania examines youth policy issues, submits proposals for legislation and exercises parliamentary control. The Government of the Republic of Lithuania is responsible for overall policy coordination and ensures interdepartmental cooperation in various areas, from education to social security.

The main executive institution is the Ministry of Social Security and Labour (MSSL), which formulates youth policies, prepares programmes and supervises their implementation. The Youth Affairs Agency (YAA) subordinate to it implements specific measures: from promoting volunteering to helping NEET youth (the “Jungtys” project) or international exchanges. The Youth Affairs Council operating under the ministry is an advisory institution that brings together representatives of the state, municipalities and youth organisations. Meanwhile, the Lithuanian Youth Organisations Council (LiJOT) – the largest umbrella youth organisation in Lithuania – represents the interests of youth at the national level and delegates members to decision-making.

How does it work in Vilnius?

At the municipal level, youth policy becomes even closer to your reality. In Vilnius, it is taken care of by:

● Vilnius City Municipality Council, which addresses the most important issues in the context of youth policy development.

● Youth coordinators, who coordinate the entire implementation of youth policy in the city.

● Vilnius Youth Council, where youth representatives submit proposals for decisions important to young people.

● Vilnius Youth Organizations Council "Apskritas stalas", uniting youth organizations and ensuring their representation.

● Budgetary institutions operating within the territory of the municipality, which are responsible for the practical implementation of youth policy in the municipality.

This entire structure allows for the creation of youth spaces, the implementation of projects, the promotion of participation and the support of young people where they are.

What are the main directions of youth policy?

According to data from the Youth Affairs Agency, youth policy in Lithuania focuses on four main areas:

● Youth work is activities aimed at creating conditions for a young person to engage in personal, professional or social activities, and to develop and nurture their competences.

● Youth empowerment and participation are all measures that encourage young people to develop themselves, participate in decision-making, and discover their role in society.

● Interdepartmental cooperation is the cooperation of institutions to ensure the interests of young people in areas such as education, culture, health, employment or housing.

● Youth volunteering is a set of activities that encourage young people to engage in volunteering and develop social, professional and civic competences.

NEET and MGT – what is it?

Two groups of youth who face greater challenges:

● NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) – these are young people who are currently not in employment, education or training. They are provided with mentoring, psychological support, and career guidance.

● MGT (Less Opportunities) – young people experiencing economic, social or health difficulties. They are offered scholarships, individual counselling, and inclusion programmes.

What does this mean to you, as a young person in Vilnius?

If you are looking for a place to spend your time, there are open youth centers in Vilnius. If you want to volunteer, there is the Volunteering in Vilnius platform or the Youth Voluntary Service. If you have ideas, you can propose them to the Vilnius Youth Council or participate in participatory budget initiatives. And if you don’t know where to start, you can always contact the Vilnius Youth Policy Center (VJPC).

Youth policy is not documents "somewhere in a ministry." It is your everyday life, opportunities, and people who want you to grow, creating a city where it is good to live.

Learn more about VJPC's activities: https://www.vjpc.lt/

Come to "22 bendrà būtis": https://www.22bendrabutis.lt/

Find volunteering in Vilnius: volunteeringinvilniuje.lt