For Decision-makers
One of the biggest barriers to youth participation is adult attitudes. People under 18 are the only age group that cannot elect their own representatives to decision-making bodies.
It is therefore essential that:
- An active youth influence group operates in your municipality or welfare area.
- The group has adequate resources and support from a supervising adult.
- Young people have genuine opportunities to influence decision-making at all levels in municipal and regional governance.
Youth influence groups should have the right to be present and speak in:
- Municipal councils
- Municipal committees/subcommittees
- Municipal boards
- Regional councils
- Regional committees/subcommittees
- Regional boards
- Other relevant working groups and bodies
Youth influence groups should also have direct initiative rights in:
- Municipal councils
- Regional councils
What Can You Do to Support Youth Participation?
As a decision-maker, you can promote opportunities for young people to participate and influence matters in your area and in positions of trust where you have influence.
In municipalities and welfare areas, you can submit initiatives to create spaces for youth participation in councils and committees. Nuva ry provides ready-made templates for such initiatives, which you can find in our Resource Library (Google Drive folder, in Finnish).
You can also contact our experts at any time for guidance and support in promoting youth participation.