It is the right of young people to enjoy freedom of association. The lack of commitment and political will to support, cooperate with and utilize the civil society of youth: social and interest work of youth organisations and the value that they create is a waste of human resources and hindrances youth participation in society. LUF underlines the urgent need of youth organisations for steady and acceptable income, inadequate legal environment and political recognition. With more cooperation with the youth sector as well as the support of the government to youth organisations, their role will be more effective and therefore they will create more social benefits. Participation in social work of youth organisations strengthens leadership skills and citizenship awareness, works against social exclusion and is a platform for youth to develop communication skills and exchange opinion. LUF believes it to be necessary that the government supports interest and social work of youth legally, financially and socially.
4.1. Fair Funding
LUF thinks the unequal governmental funding to NGOs to be unacceptable and therefore it is one of the priority of the council to fight for governmental funding on an equal basis. Until now, the governmental budget for youth affairs is controlled by the arbitrary decisions and interest of the Minister of Education, Science and Culture, causing the inability of young people to develop capacity and knowledge to build a strong advocate. LUF wants to adopt an objective system based on a Nordic example where all youth organisations, that meet certain requirements, acquire funding in a consideration of number of registered members and will be able to build their work on future prospects. There equality and proportion of youth within boards is also taken into account. This arrangement also strengthens the establishment of new youth organisations. Moreover, LUF supports competitive grants for projects, though such grants (e.g. The Icelandic Youth Fund) are barely competitive if the equality of governmental support is not ensured. Consequently, the NGOs with the strongest infrastructures (because of governmental support) receive most from the fund, while the organisations that are only based on volunteerism fight to survive.
4.2. Decision-making
LUF encourages youth-led boards of youth organisations where young people make the decisions or democratic youth councils of organisations with larger structures, that have real power. Without youth-led boards, youth mainstreaming will never be a reality. The Directorate of Internal Revenue though rejects NGOs registration duty to announce new elected boards that include individuals under the age of full legal responsibility, contrary to the human rights article of the Constitution of the republic of Iceland no. 33/1944 on freedom of association and equality. Also against children’s rights of freedom of expression and participation, ensured by articles 12 to 17 of the Convention of the Right of the Child, cf. law no. 19/2013. Accordingly, children are ensured independant right to establish and participate in associations. LUF has no tolerance for such human rights violations and discrimination based on age, which is contrary to the principle of equality no. 65 of the Constitution. LUF challenges NGOs to create more space for young people in their boards and other power positions. Young people are an asset to the third sector with renewal, modernisation, technological advances and innovation.
4.3. Cooperation with Stakeholders
With the main role of being a platform for cooperation and consultation for youth organisations, LUF promotes collaboration between all stakeholders, within the youth sector and beyond at both local and global levels. Efficiency and success maximises with the cooperation of stakeholders towards common goals and knowledge and experience grows. LUF aims to collect more MOs, foster united youth sector, reinforce cooperation with institutions and increase international collaboration. LUF is accessible and an open umbrella organisation that functions as a bridge between NGOs, sectors, generations and countries. LUF prioritise cooperation with democratic organisations that ensure the involvement of young people in decision making and harmonise with the objectives and policies of LUF.