Portugal proposes new legal regime for youth associations

The Portuguese Government has submitted a legislative proposal to Parliament to establish a new legal regime for youth associations. The proposal aims to replace Law No. 23/2006, which the government states no longer adequately addresses contemporary youth movement dynamics or modern public governance requirements.

The new framework intends to reform rules regarding access to public support, the recognition and registration of associations, and oversight mechanisms. A key component is the restructuring of the financing model. Under the proposal, funding applications will be evaluated based on the effective execution of activities, project quality, local impact, consistency of actions, and the ability to plan and establish partnerships.

The legislation specifies that youth associations, federations of youth associations, and informal youth groups may benefit from the regime's support. However, youth organizations of a partisan or union nature may only access non-financial support, as defined by future ministerial orders. Additionally, for federations to be recognized by the Portuguese Institute of Sport and Youth (IPDJ) for legal rights and benefits, they must be composed of at least 60% of the total associations they represent.