Project Based Youth Participation

August 24th, 2007 by mas | Filed under Courses & Events, Participation & Citizenship.

planning projects I was reading a blog earlier by the Young Adult Library Services Association about ‘What is Youth Participation‘.

It interested me because it advocates a project based approach to youth participation which is pretty similar to our own approach. I was disappointed though to read towards the end of the article “None of these projects has to be long-term. The group might get together for several weeks, disband, and then reconstitute themselves in some way at a later date. The group only lasts as long as the project on which they are working.”

I really disagree with this as an approach - in fact I think its wasteful for just about everyone involved.

Our approach starts with a project based approach to involving young people. Projects are a brilliant way to provide people with a common goal and a sense of a purpose. The experience of planning, delivering and reflecting on a project allows good strong relationships to develop and for people to recognise the various skills and qualities that people have to offer (this includes young people AND adults!).

BUT……….. this should be just the start of the process - its essential to then build on these relationships, and the learning and the sense of achievement etc. towards young people being able to develop their role further - both as individuals and their role within the organisation.

For this to work organisations need a ‘pathway’ (more about that in the future!) - there has to be a plan as to how young people are able to progress within an organisation. And for this to be possible organisations have to be clear about why they want young people to participate in the first place - you’ll be amazed at how many organisations have no idea why they want young people to participate. Also to be clear - quoting the rights of the child and “its young peoples right to participate” isn’t enough - it might be their right but that doesn’t mean they want to - how many organisations do you voluntarily participate in that aren’t interested in you or aren’t clear about what they want from you?!

So DO use a project based approach - but see it for what it is - just a step along the journey, and before you start be clear about where that journey ends.