Swedish Sports Confederation Establishes National Youth Council
In June, the Swedish Sports Confederation (Riksidrottsförbundet) took a significant step toward youth empowerment by deciding to establish a national Youth Council. This initiative aims to strengthen the participation, influence, and leadership of children and young people within the sports movement.
The Youth Council will serve as an advisory body to the Swedish Sports Confederation’s executive board (Riksidrottsstyrelsen). Its members will be no older than 25 at the time of election and will be selected through a nomination process involving the various special sports federations.
The decision to create the Youth Council was influenced by proposals from several member organisations, including the Swedish Equestrian Federation and Swedish Athletics. It reflects a growing recognition of the need to incorporate the voices of young people into the development and governance of sports in Sweden.
The council’s primary function will be to provide insights and perspectives from younger generations, ensuring that their needs and views are taken seriously in decision-making processes. By doing so, the Swedish Sports Confederation hopes to foster a more inclusive and forward-looking sports environment.
This move is widely regarded as an important milestone in elevating youth engagement and shaping the future of Swedish sport through active participation and shared leadership.