Introduction

The form, range and depth of participation is related to the democratic pathway of each country, and also to the nature of social relations, culture, habits and social representations around childhood and youth that prevails in each country. The histories of various organisations that offer and deliver services and activities for children and youth lead us to the pre-democratic (1936–76) stage in Spain. The Franco dictatorship considered youth education a core element in which the values of ‘national spirit’ gained significance, and, as in other fascist regimes, this polity organised its own youth movement. This movement lost importance in the twilight of the regime; other types of organisation gained credence, some promoted by the Catholic Church, others depending on secular non-profit entities.

Participation constituted a key concept in the new democratic era, commencing from Franco's death and sealed thereafter in the Spanish Constitution of 1978. ‘Youth’ was viewed as a privileged arena; to be nurtured and to assure the future of this new democracy. Different institutions for young people were created linked with the three existing levels of public administration: national, regional and local. Some years later, the influence of international debates regarding children's rights led to the creation of childhood institutions at these three levels.

This structure, together with the existence of different agencies responsible for child and youth policies, entails some fragmentation within policies. While youth policies sometimes include boys and girls aged 15 or more years, childhood policies extend from birth to 17 years of age. Consequently, young people aged between 15 and 17 may be the focus of two types of institutions or agencies; however, they may also fall outside the scope of both. In this chapter, we intend to examine the situation of youth participation in three main structures: (1) the educational system, (2) juvenile associations and (3) local programmes.

In each of these structures the degree, range and form that participation takes occupies a central area. We have focused primarily on the younger (0- to 17-year-old) group; it serves as an important mobilisation mechanism between the local administration levels as well as between NGOs. This group are also the target of measures that aim to improve children's participation in public matters, originating from the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989.