Norway

Norway's youth policy is made up of various policy documents from different sectors, targeting different aspects of the lives of young people. While the Ministry of Children and Families is responsible for overall youth policy, a number of other ministries also have strategies and measures regarding youth affairs and cooperate on such issues.

A general overview of the government's initiatives within the youth field is given in the 2015 Plan on Child and Youth Policy Initiatives. The plan was drawn up in collaboration among a number of different ministries, led by the Ministry of Children and Families. It includes initiatives for people aged between 0-24 (with particular emphasis on the age of 0-18), and points out both the cross-sectoral, cooperative nature of Norway's youth policy and the responsibility of municipalities in implementing it.

The Department of Childhood, Youth and Family Affairs within the Ministry of Children and Families is responsible for the design and coordination of overall youth policy, although other ministries also have a stake in youth affairs. Associated with the department is the Norwegian Directorate for Children, Youth and Family Affairs (Bufdir), which manages the Office for Children, Youth and Family Affairs (Bufetat). According to Bufdir, their main task is to "provide children, young people and families in need of help and support with appropriate, high-quality assistance nationwide."

The Norwegian Children and Youth Council (LNU), a member of the European Youth Forum, is an umbrella organisation for more than 100 children and youth organisations. Its work focuses on three areas: advocacy and representation in (national) politics; acting as a resource for members by offering courses; and organising the distribution of grants and financial support programmes to member organisations and beyond. Locally, Norway's Local Government Act (2018) obliges municipalities to establish youth councils or other participation bodies for young people.

According to the EU Youth Wiki, no official definition of youth work exists in Norway, and there are no top-level policies or regulations regarding the status of youth workers. However, there are a number of certifications and formal trainings to become a youth worker.

Youth work is mainly the responsibility of municipalities, both financially and administratively, but the delivery of youth work is not required for municipalities by law. National priorities - such as those set in the 2015 Plan on Child and Youth Policy Initiatives - guide the municipalities' implementation work. National funding grant schemes are also available to municipalities and voluntary organisations.

The main NGO in the youth work sector at the national level is Youth Work Norway (Ungdom og Fritid), which organises over 600 youth clubs, provides training for youth workers, sets quality standards, and acts as a political advocate.

Norway does not have a specific budget for youth policy, due to the fact that measures targeted at youth are usually integrated within wider national policy initiatives.

The Norwegian Directorate for Children, Youth and Family Affairs (Bufdir), according to its 2019 annual report, was allocated a total budget of NOK 9.9 billion (USD 922.3 million).