When we talk about building effective programs for young people—whether in schools, community organizations or advocacy initiatives—there’s one crucial element that often gets overlooked: youth voice.
It’s not just about including young people in the room. It’s about truly listening to them, valuing their input, and shaping programs with them, not just for them.
Why Youth Voice Matters
1. Authentic Insight
Young people are experts in their own lives. They bring fresh perspectives, lived experiences, and firsthand knowledge of the issues that affect them. When youth are invited to speak up, programs become more relevant, effective, and meaningful.
2. Empowerment and Engagement
Giving youth a platform to share their ideas and lead initiatives cultivates confidence and leadership skills. When they see their input taken seriously, they feel ownership of the program’s success—and that drives deeper engagement.
3. Innovation and Creativity
Youth think outside the box. They challenge norms, question outdated systems and push boundaries in ways that spark innovation. Their ideas can lead to bold, creative solutions that adults may never have considered.
4. Long-Term Impact
When young people are involved in shaping programs, they learn civic responsibility, collaboration and critical thinking. These are not just tools for success in the moment—they’re skills that last a lifetime.
Putting Youth Voice into Practice
How do we move beyond tokenism and create meaningful space for youth voice?
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Create youth advisory boards with real decision-making power.
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Co-design programs with youth from the ground up.
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Compensate youth for their time and expertise like any other consultant.
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Foster inclusive spaces where all youth, especially those from marginalized backgrounds, feel heard and respected.
Getting Started
Want ideas for how to engage youth in new and exciting ways to ensure their voices are heard? GUIDE offers training on a variety of positive youth development topics including a highly interactive session on youth voice that teaches adults tools and resources to include and enhance youth voice in programs. Our Training Catalog contains information on the sessions we have readily available to offer, and we are always happy to work with groups on providing custom training.
Youth are not just future leaders—they are leaders now. When we amplify their voices, we build stronger, smarter, more equitable programs. More importantly, we show young people that their voices matter—and that’s a powerful message they carry with them for the rest of their lives.