Switzerland

The purpose of the Child and Youth Promotion Act (2011) is to ensure that youth and children are encouraged in their physical and mental well-being and are able to develop into people who take responsibility for themselves and integrate socially, culturally and politically in their community.

According to the Federal Social Insurance Office (OFAS), the report For a Swiss Child and Youth Policy (2008) "forms the basis of current and future policy in this area." It proposes three main measures to promote and develop child and youth policy at the federal level, while still maintaining that this area is the responsibility of the cantons and municipalities:

• Revise the law on youth activities;
• Strengthen horizontal coordination at the federal level;
• Provide funding and staff.

According to the report on Childhood and Youth Policy in Switzerland (2016), child and youth policy is characterised by the distribution of tasks between the confederation, cantons, and municipalities, with the confederation playing only a supporting role. At the confederation level the Federal Social Insurance Office (OFAS) is the main body responsible for the child and youth sector, dealing with children's rights, protection of children and young people, extracurricular activities, and child and youth policy. However, most cantons also have their own dedicated youth sectors. Because so many actors are responsible for child and youth policy at various levels, the Platform for Swiss Child and Youth Policy was created to facilitate the collaboration between these entities, promote the exchange of information regarding youth, and to document the state of youth policy at the different levels.

The Swiss National Youth Council (SNYC) is an umbrella organisation in Switzerland for more than 60 youth organisations. SNYC aims to "act as a voice for the interests of Swiss youth on a political and public level." The council also works closely with the Federal Social Insurance Office (OFAS) and is involved in the development of youth policy. It coordinates several projects under three priority themes, namely (1) committed youth, (2) our future, and (3) inclusion of all.

While there is no formal definition, law or policy pertaining to youth work at the federal level in Switzerland, according to The Swiss Society for Social Work(SSFSW) there are various professional qualifications and certifications available to individuals who work with youth, such as youth leaders, social educators, and youth workers.

Furthermore, SSFSW offers a range of professional certifications and training programs for individuals interested in working with young people. These certifications and programmes provide education and training in various areas, including child and youth development, communication, group dynamics, and youth work ethics.

Additionally, there are several universities and colleges in Switzerland that offer degree programs in social work, social pedagogy, and related fields. These programmes provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to work with youth in various contexts, including schools, community centres, and youth organizations.

According to the Swiss government'sbudget report for 2021, the budget for youth policy in Switzerland was CHF 546 million (USD 595 million) for the year 2021, of which CHF 1.9 million (USD 2.2 million) was specifically allocated to the Federal Social Insurance Office (OFAS). The budget included funding for various programmes and initiatives aimed at supporting young people, including:

1. Youth employment programmes designed to help young people find employment, such as job training programmes, apprenticeships, and career guidance services.

2. Education and training to support the development of young people and to prepare them for future careers.

3. Youth leisure activities, such as sports clubs, music programmes, and cultural events, to promote the social and cultural development of young people.

4. Youth health and well-being to promote the physical and mental health of young people, including counseling services, health education programs, and initiatives to prevent drug use and addiction.