Unclear effect of leisure card for young people

The leisure card for children and young people promised by the government is proposed to come into effect in October 2025. A higher amount is earmarked for children in socioeconomically vulnerable families. But it is unclear whether the cards will have the desired effect.

» Updated: July 16 2024

» Published: July 07 2024

Unclear effect of leisure card for young people
Photo: Henrik Montgomery/TT

Share this article

The leisure card for children and young people promised by the government is proposed to come into force in October 2025. A higher amount is earmarked for children in socioeconomically vulnerable families. But it is unclear whether the cards will have the desired effect.

According to the government's proposal, children and young people between the ages of 8 and 16 will be able to apply for a leisure card that can be used to pay for certain leisure activities, including activities at cultural schools and local sports clubs and youth organizations.

The government is proposing two cards, a general leisure card of 500 kronor per year and child, and a special leisure card of 2,000 kronor per year and child. The higher amount is earmarked for households with preliminary housing allowance. The leisure card will not affect the maintenance support.

"The wallet should not determine children's opportunity for an active leisure time", says Social Minister Jakob Forssmed (KD) in a press release.

It is unclear how many children and young people will actually use a leisure card. According to the Social Department's own memorandum, a relatively high proportion of children and young people in Sweden already participate in leisure activities today. The effect of the card also depends on how many organizers of leisure activities join the leisure card. When evaluating trials with similar cards in Norway and Iceland, they have primarily been used by households with good economy.

Originally, the leisure card was supposed to start being used in 2024. Now it is proposed to come into force in 2025.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Explosion Suspected in Ale Apartment Building
1 MIN READ

Explosion Suspected in Ale Apartment Building

Flooding on E4 in Härnösand Causes Major Traffic Disruptions
1 MIN READ

Flooding on E4 in Härnösand Causes Major Traffic Disruptions

Person Critically Injured in Höganäs Apartment Fire
1 MIN READ

Person Critically Injured in Höganäs Apartment Fire

Man Injured by 300 Kilo Cement Block in Vikbolandet Farm Accident
1 MIN READ

Man Injured by 300 Kilo Cement Block in Vikbolandet Farm Accident

Asphalt Cooker Explosion in Kungälv Sends One to Hospital
1 MIN READ

Asphalt Cooker Explosion in Kungälv Sends One to Hospital

Blood Moon to Grace Swedish Skies This Weekend
2 MIN READ

Blood Moon to Grace Swedish Skies This Weekend

Government Plans to End Restaurant Food Requirement by Next Summer
1 MIN READ

Government Plans to End Restaurant Food Requirement by Next Summer

Car and Train Collision in Skene Injures Two
1 MIN READ

Car and Train Collision in Skene Injures Two

Magnet Fishermen Discover Live Grenade in Helge River
1 MIN READ

Magnet Fishermen Discover Live Grenade in Helge River

Beware of Deceptive Mushrooms: Avoid These Common Mistakes
2 MIN READ

Beware of Deceptive Mushrooms: Avoid These Common Mistakes

Teen Detained in Connection to Kallhäll Double Murder
1 MIN READ

Teen Detained in Connection to Kallhäll Double Murder

Firefighter Injured in Fatal Accident Rescue Near Norrköping
1 MIN READ

Firefighter Injured in Fatal Accident Rescue Near Norrköping

Gällivare Hospital in Emergency Mode Due to Mobile Network Outage
1 MIN READ

Gällivare Hospital in Emergency Mode Due to Mobile Network Outage

Dad Misplaces Baby in Stroller Now Suspected of Crime
1 MIN READ

Dad Misplaces Baby in Stroller Now Suspected of Crime

Major Fire in Upplands Bro Leaves Dozens Homeless
2 MIN READ

Major Fire in Upplands Bro Leaves Dozens Homeless

TikTok Targets Youth Engagement in Sweden's Church Election
2 MIN READ

TikTok Targets Youth Engagement in Sweden's Church Election

Åkesson: Church Should Avoid Taking Sides on Gaza Conflict
3 MIN READ

Åkesson: Church Should Avoid Taking Sides on Gaza Conflict

Dousa Criticizes Stegrud's Comment on Swedish Cultural Debate
2 MIN READ

Dousa Criticizes Stegrud's Comment on Swedish Cultural Debate

Volunteer Air Corps Mourns Pilots After Fatal Crash in Norrtälje
3 MIN READ

Volunteer Air Corps Mourns Pilots After Fatal Crash in Norrtälje

Shooting at Alby Subway Station During Rush Hour Leaves Man Injured
2 MIN READ

Shooting at Alby Subway Station During Rush Hour Leaves Man Injured