QUESTIONNAIRE
NATIONAL REPORT
FIRST COOPERATION CYCLE OF THE
EU YOUTH STRATEGY
2010 - 2012
EU Youth Report 2012
INTRODUCTION
The Council Resolution on a renewed framework for European cooperation in the youth field (2010-2018), hereafter called theEU Youth Strategy, was adopted by the Council in November 2009. The strategystresses that: The EU Youth Report will evaluate progress made towards the overall objectives of the framework, as well as progress regarding the priorities defined for the most recent work cycle and identify good practices.
This implies that the Member States report to the Commission about their implementation of measures in line with the priorities of the EU Youth Strategy at the end of every three-year work cycle. To facilitate this task and ensure a common basis on which to work, the Commission has drafted this questionnaire. A consultation with Member States took place in July and August 2011, and the version in front of you is the final version.
In addition to a Commission staff working paper which assesses the first three-year work cycle(by analysing the results of this questionnaire) and includes a comprehensive overview on the situation of young people in Europe today, the EU Youth Report shall include the priorities of the work cycle for the period 2013-2015. In order to finalise this report before the end of 2012, the time schedule foresees that Member States return this questionnaire (hereafter called 'National Report') by the end of January 2012. This will feed into a Commission Communication (to be adopted in September 2012) and then a Council Resolution (to be passed by the Council in November the same year).
The EU Youth Strategy applies a cross-sectoral approach to youth policy, covering eight fields of action that concern young people. All fields of action should be covered in this reporting exercise. In order to reduce the reporting requirements for the Member States, the evaluations of the Structured Dialogue and the implementation of the Recommendation on Volunteering (adopted in November 2008) are also integrated in the questionnaire.
This has guided the Commission's services to develop a questionnaire with six sections:
- General overview
- Presidency Priorities
(a) Youth Employment
(b) Participation
- Recommendation on Volunteering
- Remaining ‘fields of action’
- Evaluation of the Structured Dialogue
- Case-studies of good practice
In their responses, Member States are asked to report on initiatives that have been taken or are planned to be carried out between 01 January 2010 and 31 December 2012, which corresponds to the first work cycle of the EU Youth Strategy. However, the Commission also welcomes information on such initiatives if they were taken before 2010 as indicated in the alternative answers.
In line with the principles of the EU Youth Strategy, young people themselves and their organisations should be consulted when filling out the National Report. Member States are invited to use innovative methods in this consultation. Section 1 includes a question on how young people have been consulted in the completion of the National Report.
Please provide any additional information and relevant references in the text-boxesprovided in every section.These text-boxes should also be used to highlight any disagreement or difference in opinion between the official Government position and that of young people consulted for the completion of this National Report.
Many of the questions ask whether a certain action or initiative was carried out by your Government after the EU Youth Strategy came into force in January 2010. Please take note that this does not imply or suggest a causal relationship. The text-boxes can be used to provide further information as to whether such a causal relationship exists or not, if deemed necessary.
The deadline for submitting this National Report to the Commission is 31 January 2012.
Section (1):
GENERAL YOUTH POLICY
In this section, you are requested to provide information on youth policy of a more general nature. This will facilitate the sharing of Government documents on youth policy between Member States as well as with EU candidate countries and other third countries. It will also shed more light on the significance of the EU Youth Strategy, and its impact for youth policy at the national and regional/local levels.
Q1: Does your country have a 'youth law' or legislation that specifically refers to youth issues, or laws containing a section addressing the needs and/or rights of young people?
YES
NO
If YES, continue with Q2. If NO, go to Q4
Q2: Please provide references for the law (title, adoption date, validity, etc) in your national language as well as in English
Please write in your text here (maximum 300 words)
2003 m. gruodžio 4 d. Lietuvos Respublikos jaunimo politikos pagrindų įstatymas, Nr.IX-1871 (įsigaliojo 2003 m. gruodžio 18 d.) (Valstybės žinios, 2003, Nr. 119-5406)
Law on Youth Policy Framework of the Republic of Lithuania, 4 December 2003, No. IX-1871 (in force from 18 December 2003) (Official Gazette Valstybės žinios, 2003, No. 119-5406)
The Law provides for the main concepts of youth policy, defines youth policy areas and establishes principles of the implementation of youth policy in Lithuania.
Q3: Is the document available in other languages, in full or abbreviated version?
YES
NO
If YES, please provide a web-link or a copy of the law in available languages together with this national report.
For link to website or other relevant information (maximum 300 words)
Web-link for the Law on Youth Policy Framework in Lithuanian:
Web-link for the Law on Youth Policy Framework in English:
Web-link for the Law on Youth Policy Framework in Russian:
Q4: Does your country have a National Youth Strategy and/or Action Plan, or a cross-sectoral strategy specifically referring to youth issues?
YES
NO
If NO, go to Q6.
If YES, please provide references (title, adoption date, validity, etc) to this strategy or action plan:
Resolution No. 1715 “On the Approval of the National Youth Policy Development Programme for 2011–2019” of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania of 1 December 2010 (Official Gazette Valstybės žinios, 2010, No. 142-7299), web-link: (in Lithuanian)
Order No. A1-193 “On the Approval of the Plan of Measures 2011–2013 for the Implementation of the National Youth Policy Development Programme for 2011–2019” of the Minister of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania of 12 April 2011 (Official Gazette Valstybės žinios, 2011, No. 45-2116), web-link: Lithuanian)
Q5: Is the document available in other languages, in full or abbreviated version?
YES
NO
If YES, please provide a web-link or a copy of the document in available languages together with this national report.
For link to website or other relevant information (maximum 300 words)
The texts in Lithuanian are provided in the official website:
Web-link to the National Youth Policy Development Programme 2011-2019:
Web-link to the action plan:
Main information on the National youth strategy in English is provided in the website of the Ministry of Social Security and Labour:
The National Youth Policy Development Programme 2011-2019 aims at:
Ensuring the development of social security, education and health care systems, that meets the needs of young people;
Developing a conscious, public-spirited, patriotic, mature, cultural and creative young personality, capable of being an active part of diverse society;
Developing and coordinating the system of youth work and to ensure the development of youth employment infrastructure;
Creating favourable conditions for consistent and high quality activities of youth organisations and organisations working with youth, seeking more active youth involvement in organised activities;
Ensuring interdepartmental and cross-sectoral cooperation in developing coherent, fact and knowledge based youth policy.
The full text of National Youth Policy Development Programme 2011-2019 is attached.
Q6: Please indicate how the EU Youth Strategy, adopted in November 2009, has influenced youth priorities in your country at the NATIONAL level?
A: It has reinforced existing priorities
B: It has led to a re-orientation of policy
C: It has had little or no impact on national youth policy
Please specify your answer (maximum 300 words):
National Youth Policy Development Programme for 2011–2019 is one of the most important strategic documents of youth policy in Lithuania. Basically, EU Youth strategy was the guiding document for the development of the programme at national level. Moreover, the working group on drafting the programme focused on various political documents of the EU and CoE in order to use the best experience at the national level.
Q7: Please indicate how the EU Youth Strategy has influenced youth priorities in your country at the LOCAL and/or REGIONAL level?
A: It has reinforced existing priorities
B: It has led to a re-orientation of policy
C: It has had little or no impact on local and regional youth policy
Please specify your answer (maximum 300 words):
Since EU Youth Strategy was announced, the planning process of youth policy became better at the local level: European dimension definition appeared in the planning documentation, which was a more serious goal for the municipalities in order to create the planning documentation, strategic goals and priorities until the National Youth Policy Development Programme for 2011–2019 came into force.
On the other hand, according to the main principle of the established structural dialogue, during the implementation process of the strategy, the inclusion and participation of the youth at local level increased when the questions related to the youth were raised: Youth week became a traditional annual event in the regions, where young people can present their current situation in relation to the question raised; they can be introduced into the European situation as well as the decisions and recommendations made; decision making process of the authorities can be influenced by young people.
Q8: Does the government of your country support and promote cross-disciplinary research relating to young people and their living conditions in line with the Council resolution on active inclusion, having regard to the socio-economic environment and the opportunities and obstacles this poses for the social inclusion and employability of young people?
YES, the Government has supported and promoted such cross-disciplinary research since before the EU Youth Strategy came into force in January 2010.
YES, measures were taken to support and promote such cross-disciplinary research after the EU Youth Strategy came into force in January 2010.
NO, but we plan to take concrete measures in this field in 2012
NO, we do not have any current plans to carry out measures in this field.
Please specify your answer (maximum 300 words):
Cross-disciplinary research relating to young people and their living conditions was not organised during the period of 2010-2012.
The last research on the situation of young people was organised in 2007 (the areas included in the research: education, employment, health, family, housing, etc.).
On the other hand, Lithuania is preparing for the EU Council Presidency activities in 2013, in relation to whichit is planned to make the research relating to young people and their living conditions.
In addition, according to the action plan for implementation of National Youth Policy Development programme for 2011-2019, it is planned to establish and maintain the network of youth researchers in the period of 2011-2013.
Q9: Is there an institutionalised and regular cooperation between the Ministry responsible for Youth and the youth research community in your country?
YES, such cooperation has existed since before the EU Youth Strategy came into force in January 2010.
YES, such cooperation was established after the EU Youth Strategy came into force in January 2010.
NO, but we have an ongoing initiative to establish such cooperation in 2012.
NO, we do not have any initiative to establish such cooperation.
Additional comments (maximum 300 words):
There is no institutionalised and regular cooperation between the Ministry and youth researchers, however the communication is relevant and organise due to the needs. For example, the researchers were invited to take part in the National Working Group for structured dialogue.
According to the action plan for implementation of National Youth Policy Development programme for 2011-2019, it is planned to establish and maintain the network of youth researchers in the period of 2011-2013.
Q10: Does your Government have an inter-ministerial working group on youth or any other institutionalised mechanism for ensuring a cross-sectoral approach to youth policy?
YES, such an institutional mechanism has existed since before the EU Youth Strategy came into force in January 2010.
YES, such an institutional mechanism was established after the EU Youth Strategy came into force in January 2010.
NO, but we have an ongoing initiative to establish such an institutional mechanism in 2012.
NO, we do not plan to establish such an institutional mechanism.
Additional comments (maximum 300 words):
Council of Youth Affairs (CYA) is an institution, which works on a voluntary basis and consists from the representatives of state institutions and the Lithuanian Youth Council in compliance with the principle of equal partnership. The composition of the CYA and regulations thereof has to be approved by the Government on the recommendation of the Minister of Social Security and Labour. CYA consists of 6 representatives of state institutions and 6 representatives of youth organisations. The Prime Minister Office and ministries of Culture, National Defence, Education and Science, Foreign Affairs, Interim Affairs, Ministry of Social Security and Labour are represented. The National Youth Council has the right to delegate representatives of youth organisations to the CYA.The CYA shall consider the main issues of youth policy and submit proposals to the Department of Youth Affairs under the Ministry of Social Security and Labour on the implementation of a youth policy meeting the needs of youth and youth organisations.
The Ministry of Social Security and Labour is responsible for shaping and implementing youth policy in Lithuania. Department of Youth Affairs is an institution under the Ministry of Social Security and Labour responsible for implementation of state youth policy programmes and measures, analysing the condition of youth and youth organisations in Lithuania, co-ordinating the activities of state and municipal institutions as well as agencies in the field of youth policy.
Web-link to the Resolution of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, establishing Council of Youth Affairs and defining its working regulation (goals, functions, rights, composition, principles):
Q11: Has your Government carried out specific initiatives targeting young people or the field of youth policy utilising EU funding opportunities through the European Social Fund, the European Regional Development Fund and/or the Rural Development Fund, or any other relevant EU funds or programmes such as PROGRESS[1]?
YES, we have carried out youth initiatives or projects utilising the general EU funding opportunities mentioned above in the past, before the EU Youth Strategy came into force in January 2010, but they are now finalised.
YES, we are currently carrying out youth initiatives or projects utilising the general EU funding opportunities mentioned above.
NO, we have not carried out youth initiatives or projects utilising the general EU funding opportunities mentioned above, but we are planning to do so in 2012.
NO, we do not plan to utilise the EU funding opportunities mentioned above to finance youth activities or projects.
Additional comments (maximum 300 words):
Government’s attention was drawn into the EU funds appliance during the period of 2007–2013 in order to create the National measures for the implementation of youth policy. As the suggestions were made after the strategy‘s draft was agreed with the European Commission, the decision to take the funds for youth policy implementation from the budget of Human Resources Development Actions Programme was made.
Currently the Department of Youth Affairs under the Ministry of Social Security and Labour is implementing 2 projects for this Action programme, in order to strengthen the regional policy and develop integrated youth policy. These projects have started in 2009 and 2010 (they will be finished in 2012 and 2013 accordingly) with the budget of more than 3,5 million euro.
Separate communities and NGOs are also supported financially to implement the initiatives at the local level related to the Youth policy implementation programme according to the National Rural Development plan for 2007–2013, which was approved by the European Commission.
National Employment Office implements the project “Be active in labour market”.
7 projects financed under the ESF measure “Integration of persons at social risk and socially excluded persons into the labour market” of Human resources development operational programme were addressed to young people leaving childcare institutions at the age of 14-29 in order to facilitate their integration to society (planned to achieve 821 participants).
Employment promotion fund under Financial engineering measure “Employment promotion” of Human resources development operational programme have been created (ESF funding).
Q12: Does the Government of your country have a strategy to acknowledge, raise awareness of, and reinforce the role of youth work in society, in line with the Council Resolution on Youth Work (2010)?
YES, we already had such a strategy in place since before the EU Youth Strategy came into force in January 2010.
YES, we have set up such a strategy since the adoption of the EU Youth Strategy came into force in January 2010.
NO, we do not have such a strategy in place, but the Government is planning to set up such a strategy in the coming year.
NO, the Government is not planning to set up such a strategy.
Additional comments (maximum 300 words):
The National Youth Policy Development Programme for 2011–2019 and the Plan of Measures 2011–2013 for its implementation seek todevelop and coordinate the system of youth work;create beneficial conditions for continuing movement of youth organizations based on quality;ensure the cooperation among the different social sectors in order to create youth policy based on facts and knowledge.
Moreover, financial support has been allocated to the programmes and projects of youth organizations and organizations working with youth. Youth initiative projects aimed at improving the quality of activities of youth organizations, developing and promoting youth entrepreneurship, as well as developing the activities of open youth centres and spaces is agreed measures within the Plan of the Program mentioned above.
Q13: What are the main measures implemented by your Government in order to improve the recognition – and support the development – of governmental and non-governmental youth work?