2007-08-01

The present regulation of youth policy in Latvia determines that the Ministry for Children and Family Affairs is the coordinating institution on youth policy; therefore one of the main assignments of the Ministry is to work out legal acts and policy planning documents on youth policy, as well as to carry out youth policy within the framework of its competency.

The Ministry:

· formulates legal acts and policy documents or takes part in preparing such documents;

· arranges reports and expert conclusions on youth related issues;

· represents the Ministry in youth related activities and events, organized by international organizations, foreign and Latvian institutions;

· ensures cooperation with state and municipality institutions, as well as nongovernmental organizations (societies and foundations) on youth related issues;

· represents the viewpoint of the Ministry in the sessions of the committees of the Saeima, the Cabinet, in work groups created by other ministries, in joint  meetings and seminars;

· develops methodical guidance and recommendations on coordinating and developing state and municipal youth policy, as well as on improving the work with the youth;

· methodically leads the work of municipal youth affairs coordinators and the directors of Youth initiative Centres on implementing youth policy;

· promotes the establishing of consulting and coordinating institutions that ensure participation of youth.

The Minister for Children and Family Affairs oversees the state agency „Agency of international youth programmes” which has the objective to promote youth activity and mobility in voluntary youth work, youth non-formal education and youth information programs and projects, and to promote youth non-formal education in connection with lifelong education. The Ministry took over the Agency from the Ministry of Education and Science in 2007. It coordinates the implementation of the EU non-formal education program „Youth in Action” in Latvia.

Planning and implementation of youth policy cannot happen without the cooperation between institutions and sectors. Different ministries carry out youth policy in specific directions and issues. Nongovernmental organizations, municipalities and especially youth organizations are involved in implementing youth policy.