Structure and Activities

The Federal Youth Advisory Board (FYAB) is an expert committee created by the federal government, composed of up to 15 specialists from politics, administration, associations and academia. The members are appointed by the Federal Minister for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth for the duration of a parliamentary term, but for no longer than until the end of the quarter following a Bundestag election. During the period between the end of a parliamentary term and the appointment of new members, the FYAB executive board remains in office on a provisional basis. Reappointments are permitted.

The FYAB advises the federal government on key issues of child and youth welfare, as well as on cross-cutting issues of child and youth policy. The advisory mandate focuses on matters designated by the federal government as priorities in child and youth (welfare) policy. The FYAB may also publish position papers, recommendations and policy statements on other topics for the attention of the federal government, the relevant ministry and the (specialist) public. Young people are included in its consultations in an appropriate manner.

The tasks and objectives of the Federal Youth Advisory Board are specified in Section 83 (2) of the Social Code Book VIII (SGB VIII), in a general administrative regulation that came into force on 1 January 2003 and in the current rules of procedure. During the Bundestag’s twentieth session, the Federal Youth Advisory Board continued to be supported in its work by the Child and Youth Policy Unit at the German Youth Institute.