On Thursday 4 June 2026, on the occasion of the publication of its 2025 annual report, the Luxembourg Red Cross reaffirmed the diversity of its activities and its commitment to supporting the most vulnerable populations in an increasingly demanding social and economic context.
In a press release, the organisation detailed that among the priorities it strengthened in 2025 are support for young people in vulnerable situations and access to housing, two major issues it highlighted exist in Luxembourg today.
Luxembourg Red Cross said: “In one of the wealthiest countries in Europe, the social reality remains concerning. The monetary poverty rate stands at 14.8%, affecting approximately one in seven residents in 2025. Young people are particularly affected, with more than one in five under the age of 18 (22.2%) now at risk of poverty (STATEC, 2025), notably due to the cost of housing. In response to this situation, the Luxembourg Red Cross has intensified its actions in order to provide concrete, sustainable solutions adapted to the needs of the most vulnerable young people.”
Strengthened support mechanisms for young people
The organisation reported that in 2025, its Service Perspectives, dedicated to young adults in difficulty, supported 118 young people, including 33 mothers with their children. The Family Support Service carried out 453 psychological consultations for children and young people, while the Norbert Ensch Reception Centre had 140 places available for children and adolescents in difficulty.
It said these figures, which have steadily increased in recent years, reflect both the scale of needs and the strengthening of service capacity, and noted that this development has been made possible in particular through the opening of new sites and the expansion of a more diversified offer.
Oberglabach: a new model of integrated support
The organisation highlighted that 2025 was marked by the official inauguration on 2 September of a new centre in Oberglabach, a site which provides a safe space offering vulnerable young people a stable environment, individualised support and real prospects.
The centre brings together three complementary forms of accommodation adapted to different life paths. The Norbert Ensch Reception Centre provides a residential group for eight children and adolescents aged four to eighteen temporarily deprived of their family environment. The Service Perspectives manages supported accommodation for five young people aged sixteen to 27, combined with educational follow-up and integration support. Moreover, the “Jugendwunnen” scheme offers seven independent housing units with flexible support for young adults aged eighteen to 31, provided they are under 26 at the time of allocation.
The opening of this centre was made possible thanks to the support of Luxembourg’s Ministry of Education, Children and Youth, the National Youth Office, as well as numerous donations. A particularly significant contribution came from a family in Oberglabach, who donated the land on the condition that it be used for children and young people.
The Luxembourg Red Cross emphasised that the close integration of accommodation, support and education formed the core of this approach and that it is essential in promoting a gradual and successful transition towards independence. They added that the project fully illustrated the commitment of the Luxembourg Red Cross to providing structured and coordinated responses, drawing on the expertise of various professionals in support of beneficiaries.
“In a context where vulnerabilities are intensifying, the Luxembourg Red Cross continues its mission with determination, providing concrete and sustainable responses to those most in need. Among them, young people are particularly exposed. Faced with growing difficulties in accessing housing and independence, the organisation has strengthened its support mechanisms in order to offer them a safe environment and genuine prospects for the future,” said Michel Simonis, Director General of the Luxembourg Red Cross.
