The age threshold for youth is planned to be increased to 30 years
Latvia plans to raise the age threshold for youth engagement in state programs to 30, strengthening youth participation in civic processes.
Latvia's government has proposed changes to the youth policy system that will increase the age threshold for youth from 25 to 30 years. This initiative aims to bolster the involvement of young people in various national and municipal programs, thereby enhancing their participation in decision-making processes. The aim is to better align youth policy with the contemporary social and economic realities where many young individuals are attaining education and entering the workforce at a later age than in previous generations.
Agita Zariņa-Stūre, the chairwoman of the Education, Culture, and Science Committee in Saeima, emphasized that these amendments would not only clarify the responsibilities of the institutions involved in youth work but also improve mechanisms for youth participation, further promoting competencies, initiative, and civic engagement among young people. This shift is seen as a significant step towards developing a democratic society that appreciates and integrates the voices and needs of the younger demographic into its legislative processes.
The raised age threshold allows a broader segment of the youth population to access state and municipal support, engage in youth programs, and participate in civic activities. As modern educational and employment patterns shift, this adaptation of the youth policy reflects a response to societal changes, ensuring that young people are equipped and supported as they navigate the challenges of becoming independent during their critical transitioning years.