We are in a phase where everyone is talking about the importance of youth participation and how young people are the agents for future development and growth, but there is no focus on how to ensure a high quality, long-term and effective youth participation.
Eurodesk reports some good practices to involve young people and encourage them to participate in a meaningful way. Let’s start… YOUTH PARTICIPATION should be…
Transparent and informative
Young people need to be provided with comprehensive, personalized and diversity-sensitive material, resources, information services describing exactly how they can potentially take part in events and activities, the main objectives and purpose and the impact that they could have by joining that specific initiative.
Accountable
It is extremely important to give young thorough feedback on the impact of their participation (as small as it can be) so that they can be aware of the process and they can feel motivated to keep going.
Relevant
Young people need to be provided with concrete evidence that that specific activity, initiative or cause matters to them and it is relevant for their lives and have the potential to strengthen their abilities and knowledge.
Respectful
Young people’s needs and ideas should be heard- Try as much as possible to provide them with opportunities where they can lead projects or initiatives or give voices to their opinions.
Inclusive
Spaces promoting youth participation and information should be included and safe. Minorities and marginalized youth should be reached out.
Supported by training
In order to take on leadership roles, young people should be provided with tailored training opportunities and empowered.