On this page

1. Programmes for vulnerable young people

2. Funding

3. Quality assurance

Programmes for vulnerable young people

The following top-level programmes represent Spain’s primary government-led efforts to support vulnerable young people.

PES 2024-2026 Programmes for Vulnerable Young People

The Strategic Subsidy Plan of the Ministry of Youth and Children 2024-2026 (Plan Estratégico de Subvenciones del Ministerio de Juventud e Infancia 2024-2026, PES 2024-2026) provides financial support for multiple national programmes aimed at vulnerable young people. These programmes focus on employment, education, social inclusion, and empowerment.

While specific annual statistics are unavailable, thousands of young people benefit from the programme annually through subsidized initiatives.

1. Youth Promotion and Services Programme

The Youth Promotion and Services Programme (Programa Promoción y Servicios a la Juventud) is one of the main national youth programmes funded under PES. Managed by INJUVE, this ongoing programme provides financial support for:

• Youth employment and entrepreneurship initiatives.
• Social housing access and rental assistance for young people.
• Digital inclusion and access to ICT resources.
• International mobility programmes, including Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps.
• Support for youth associations and civic participation.

2. Other PES-Funded Initiatives for Vulnerable Young People

In addition to Programa 232A, PES 2024-2026 funds a number of targeted social inclusion programmes, including:

• Support for LGTBI youth facing discrimination or exclusion.
• Psychosocial support services for young people affected by violence, social exclusion, or mental health challenges.
• Early school dropout prevention initiatives.
• Entrepreneurship training and financial support for disadvantaged youth.
• Digital skills training for young people in rural or underserved areas.

• Subsidized cultural, sports, and leisure activities for marginalized youth.

   

Erasmus+ in Spain: Youth Programme

The National Spanish Agency (Agencia Nacional Española, ANE) is coordinates the Erasmus+ Youth Programme in Spain under the European Commission Erasmus+ programme (2021-2027). ANE is composed of the Spanish Youth Institute (INJUVE), the youth organisations of the Spanish autonomous regions and cities and the Spanish Youth Council (Consejo de la Juventud de España, CJE).

The programme runs from 2021-2027, replacedthe Youth in Action Programme 2014-2020 (Programa Juventud en Acción 2014-2020) and aims to :

1. Improve the skills and abilities of young people.
2. Promote participation in European democratic life
3. Promote active citizenship and social integration.

Although ANE oversees the programme´s implementation, various stakeholders participate, including: non-profit organisations, NGOs, public bodies, educational institutions and foundations.

Key activities in 2023 included: 

• Mobility projects for young people (youth exchanges, volunteering and youth worker training)
• European Voluntary Service projects
• Strategic Partnerships and capacity building in youth work
• Dialogue between young people and decision-makers
• New sports initiatives, highlighting the role of sports in social inclusion.

Although official statistics on participation in these projects are not readily available, numerous projects under the Erasmus+ programme support young people in vulnerable situations every year in Spain.The Erasmus+ Project Results Platform provides detailed information on funded projects, listing 547 Spanish-led projects in the field of youth awarded funding in the 2024 Erasmus+ Call, with a total budget of 25.5 million euros.

Comprehensive country statistics are available in the 2023 Erasmus+ country factsheet.

European Solidarity Corps (ESC) and Social Inclusion

The European Solidarity Corps (ESC) supports youth-led initiatives aimed at fostering solidarity and social inclusion for young people, particularly those facing marginalization. In Spain, the ESC has been instrumental in funding projects that promote volunteering, community engagement, and inclusion of marginalized young people.

Inclusion and Diversity Strategy for Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps

In addition to the Erasmus+ projects supporting young people in vulnerable situations, Spain has adopted the Inclusion and Diversity Strategy for Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps (Estrategia de Inclusión y Diversidad de los Programas Erasmus+ y Cuerpo Europeo de Solidaridad). This strategy aims to ensure equitable access to mobility and learning opportunities for young people facing barriers to participation, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The strategy applies to both formal and non-formal education and focuses on four priority areas:

• Raising awareness and outreach to ensure Erasmus+ and ESC programs reach young people with fewer opportunities.
• Providing financial and organizational support for disadvantaged participants and their hosting institutions.
• Improving accessibility and adaptation of mobility experiences to accommodate individual needs.
• Strengthening cooperation among key stakeholders to foster inclusion-oriented policies at local, regional, and national levels.

By incorporating these principles, Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps in Spain actively contribute to the social inclusion of vulnerable young people, supporting their educational, personal, and professional development. More information available at Inclusion and Diversity Strategy - INJUVE and SEPIE - Inclusion and Diversity in Erasmus+.

Youth Guarantee Plan Plus for decent work for young people 

The Youth Guarantee Plan Plus 2021-2027 for decent work for young people (Plan de Garantía Juvenil Plus 2021-2027 de trabajo digno para las personas jóvenes), coordinated by the Public State Employment Service (SEPE) under the Ministry of Labour and Social Economy, focuses on employment activation for young people not in education, employment, or training (NEETs).

Key elements of the programme:

• Personalized career guidance and vocational training.
• Employment incentives for companies hiring young people.
• Support for entrepreneurship and self-employment.

It specifically targets young people in vulnerable situations, including those with low qualifications, disabilities, or at risk of social exclusion. While national participation targets exist, there is limited publicly available data on specific participation rates.

Intervention Programme with the Young Adults of the Spanish Correctional Administration

This prison rehabilitation programme (Programa de intervención con jóvenes) targets inmates aged 18-25, aiming to prevent the continuation of criminal behavior and to facilitate social reintegration upon release.

• Operated under Spain’s Correctional Institution, in place since 2005.
• Focuses on education, vocational training, and social reintegration.
• Integrated into broader treatment programmes (Programas de Tratamiento) for young offenders.

Currently, there is no publicly available data on youth participation rates or programme outcomes.

Funding

PES 2024-2026 Programmes for Vulnerable Young People

PES 2024-2026 (Plan Estratégico de Subvenciones del Ministerio de Juventud e Infancia 2024-2026,) provides the main financial framework for youth inclusion programmes in Spain. It allocates funding to a range of initiatives, including Programa Promoción y Servicios a la Juventud and other targeted social inclusion programmes for vulnerable youth.

Key funding mechanisms under PES 2024-2026 include:

• National Budget (Presupuestos Generales del Estado - PGE): PES is funded through Spain’s annual state budget, ensuring sustained financial support for youth programmes.
• EU Funding: Some PES programmes, such as digital inclusion and employment initiatives, receive co-financing from the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and Erasmus+.
• Third-Sector and NGO Participation: PES 2024-2026 enables collaborations with NGOs, regional governments, and youth organizations to implement social inclusion projects.

While specific budget allocations vary by programme, PES ensures structured financial planning for national youth initiatives, aligning them with Spain’s broader 2024-2030 National Strategy for the Prevention and Fight Against Poverty and Social Exclusion.

Erasmus+ Projects for Vulnerable Young People

The European Commission funds Erasmus+ projects based on their objectives and priorities, including initiatives supporting young people in vulnerable situations. Funding allocation is determined by the Erasmus+ National Agency in Spain.

Determining the exact Erasmus+ budget allocations for Spain for inclusion of vulnerable youth is challenging due to the distribution of funds across various actions and sectors. However, available data provides some insights: 

Source: Erasmus+ Projects Results Platform. Filtered by projects coordinated by Spanish organizations in the field of youth.

As part of Spain’s commitment to making Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps more inclusive, the Inclusion and Diversity Strategy for Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps (Estrategia de Inclusión y Diversidad de los Programas Erasmus+ y Cuerpo Europeo de Solidaridad) provides additional financial and organizational support to young people with fewer opportunities. This includes increased mobility grants, tailored accessibility measures, and funding for institutions that work with vulnerable youth.

More information on funding and project data is available at Erasmus+ Project Results Platform.

European Solidarity Corps (ESC) and Social Inclusion

In 2024, Spain led 15 projects focusing on marginalized youth, with €27,072 allocated to these initiatives. These projects are designed to provide young people with real-world experiences, build life skills, and contribute to community-driven social change. (ESC Project Results Platform).

Youth Guarantee Plan Plus for decent work for young people 

The Youth Guarantee Plan Plus 2021-2027 is primarily funded through:

• European Social Fund Plus (ESF+): The main EU funding instrument supporting employment, education, and social inclusion policies. Spain has allocated a significant portion of its ESF+ budget to youth employment.
  • In 2021, Spain received €2.8 billion from the ESF+ for youth employment initiatives, including the Youth Guarantee Plan Plus.
• National Budget (Presupuestos Generales del Estado - PGE): Spain’s national government co-finances the plan through the Ministry of Labour and Social Economy.
• Regional Contributions: Spanish Autonomous Communities (Comunidades Autónomas) and regional employment services receive decentralized funding for local implementation.

Funds are distributed among Spain’s 17 Regional Governments, each managing its own youth employment programmes under national guidelines.

Employers offering youth apprenticeships, vocational training, or stable employment contracts receive financial incentives and subsidies.

Intervention Programme with Young Adults of the Spanish Correctional Administration

Funding is not specifically allocated to young people, but the general programme budget is as follows:

• 2021: 29,210 Euros
• 2022: 28,568 Euros
• 2023: 29,998 euros (Presupuesto por programas y memoria de objetivos. Tomo VI).

Quality assurance

PES 2024-2026 Programmes for Vulnerable Young People

The Ministry of Youth and Children, alongside INJUVE, ensures quality control for PES-funded programmes through structured monitoring and evaluation:

• Performance Reviews & Data Monitoring: Regular assessments track participation rates, employment outcomes, and inclusion impact.
• EU Compliance: PES initiatives co-funded by the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and Erasmus+ follow EU evaluation standards.
• Stakeholder Feedback: Consultations with youth organizations, NGOs, and beneficiaries help refine programme effectiveness.

These evaluations guide policy improvements, ensuring PES 2024-2026 effectively supports vulnerable youth

Evaluation system for the projects integrated into Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps

Erasmus + (in its  programme guide) applied a structured quality assurance system covering financial oversight, quality in design, impact evaluation and the dissemination of results.

Key evaluation criteria include: 

• Monitoring website engagement (updates, visits, consultations, referrals).
• Tracking participant involvement in discussions, workshops, policy meetings and per reviews.
• Measuring media coverage (press articles, interviews, publications).
• Assessing regional, national, and EU policy impact.

ESC projects are subject to monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to assess the impact and effectiveness of their activities. These mechanisms track outcomes such as youth participation, skill development, and community engagement. The European Commission ensures these projects meet quality standards in line with EU objectives for social inclusion.

The RAY Network (Research-based analysis of European youth programmes) provides periodic studies evaluating the effectiveness and impact of EU youth programs, including Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps. These reports offer valuable insights into program outcomes and youth experiences. Full reports are available at: RAY Network Reports.

Youth Guarantee Plan Plus for decent work for young people 

The Youth Guarantee Plan Plus is monitored at multiple levels to ensure effective implementation and alignment with national and EU employment policies.

• National Coordination and Oversight: The Public State Employment Service (SEPE) is responsible for programme coordination, ensuring compliance with EU and national regulations. SEPE collaborates with regional public employment services to ensure consistent implementation across Spain.
• Performance Monitoring and Reporting: Spain reports annually to the European Commission, tracking key indicators such as youth enrolment, training completion rates, and employment outcomes within six to twelve months of participation.
• Regional Implementation and Standards: Autonomous Communities manage the programme at the regional level, delivering personalized support, vocational guidance, and employment incentives tailored to local needs.
• Feedback Mechanisms: Regular evaluations and participant feedback help assess programme effectiveness. Employers and young participants provide insights to improve training quality, employment pathways, and service delivery.

Intervention Programme with the Young Adults of the Spanish Correctional Administration

No publicly available data exists on the impact evaluation of this programme.