embedding youth voice in decision-making
youth participation
When young people are genuinely involved – not only consulted, but listened to, with their views meaningfully acted on – decisions are stronger and outcomes improve for everyone.
YACSA is committed to ensuring young people are seen, heard, and valued. We believe this is best achieved by ensuring young people’s right to meaningfully influence the decisions that affect their lives.
what is youth participation?
Youth participation is the process of young people exercising their right to be involved in decisions that affect their lives, in line with their age and evolving capacities.
Youth participation is about more than giving young people a ‘voice’. It is about adults and organisations actively seeking out their views, listening meaningfully, and sharing decision-making power.
why it matters
Young people bring valuable insight, experience, and perspective to the decisions that shape their lives and communities.
Youth participation strengthens services and systems by ensuring they are designed with the people who use them. It also recognises young people as active contributors to their communities right now, not just in the future.
It benefits everyone involved. Young people develop skills, confidence, and connection. Decision-makers gain deeper understanding and more effective ways of working. Communities receive more effective and efficient services.
Most importantly, youth participation is a right.
Young people’s right to participation is set out in Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), which affirms children and young people’s right to have their views heard and considered.
Article 13 further supports this through the right to freedom of expression, including the ability to seek, receive, and share information and ideas.
For people aged 18 and over, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights also upholds related rights, including participation in public affairs and democratic processes.
right to participate
Youth participation models provide frameworks for understanding and strengthening young people’s involvement in decision-making processes.
Three well known models are:
the Lundy Model, which guides the planning, delivery and evaluation of youth participation activities or projects
Hart’s Ladder, which helps to assess the level of young people’s participation
Shier’s Pathway, which enables organisations to plan, build and reflect on youth participation practice.
These models serve different purposes and present their own strengths and limitations. While models can support implementation of meaningful participation, they don’t provide step-by-step instructions.
models of participation
working with young people
Effective participation depends on key factors, including, but not limited to, safety, trust, access, and a genuine willingness to share power. However, there is no single ‘best’ way to engage young people in decision-making, as participation is contextual and an ongoing process.
Importantly, young people’s message is clear: they are active members of their communities already driving change, but are eager to do more – not someday, but right now.
YACSA can support organisations and workers to build meaningful youth participation practices in a range of ways based on your needs and capacity.
Our team can provide resources and delivering training, as well as facilitate consultations or workshops with young people on your behalf.
training and support
We can also deliver sessions for young people aimed at developing their skills and confidence to take part in decision-making.
To learn more about how to involve young people in your work, explore our training options or get in touch!
‘It’s very overwhelming to consider the issues of a modern world on your own. Working with like-minded people empowers you to create change and work with others’.
2025 YOUTH IMPACT SUMMIT PARTICIPANT
Check out YACSA’s Youth Impact Resources for summit participants’ tips on engaging young people in youth groups, and ideas to improve local communities.