Placing children and young people at the heart of decision-making
Is the world fit for the children of today and the citizens of tomorrow?
Our economic system is primed to create young consumers, but our democratic system is not keeping pace by creating young citizens. Children and young people around the world are clamouring for change, but far too often, communities do not have systems in place to make their voices heard. As a consequence, we continue to make decisions that affect children and young people’s lives without their input, whether those decisions concern education, health, safety, social justice, or the climate.
When children and young people are deprived of their right to be heard in decisions impacting their lives, then policies, services, and budget allocations for children risk becoming ineffective and inadequate, leaving them without the support, services, and protection they need. At times, the unwillingness or inability to give children and young people a voice even puts them at risk of harm. It also deprives them of the important learning and skills development opportunities that direct experience with child participation generates.
As a result, many young people have lost trust in democracy by the time they reach adulthood. Today, fewer than 50 per cent of young people under 25 vote.
Our mission is to change this.
News
-
![]()
Welcoming Kasper Ottosson Kanstrup as the new Chair of our Board
-
![]()
The Power of Play
Children and young people’s Call to Action for a more playful future.
-
![]()
Our Rights. Our Future. The Europe We Want.
Consultations with children ahead of the European elections in 2024.
-
![]()
Children help shape the Spanish EU Presidency
New report highlights the priorities of children in Europe.
-
![]()
Breaking Boundaries: International Day of the Girl Child
Article by Patricio Cuevas-Parra, Director of Child Participation and Child Rights, World Vision
-
![]()
Why the micro is, in fact, mega: the mundane matters
Article by our Honorary Member, Professor Laura Lundy
-
![]()
The sweltering summer of 2023 calls for empowering youth climate advocates
Article by Board Chair Anne Mette Friis
-
![]()
Four crucial life skills we have learned through child participation
Article by the CFGP Child and Youth Advisory Board
-
![]()
The transformative power of participation
Interview with Bruce Adamson, Former Children and Young People’s Commissioner of Scotland
Achieving real change for children and young people, with children and young people
There is a growing interest in listening to what children have to say, but decision-makers often refrain from doing so due to a lack of know-how, a fear of not getting it right, and limited evidence of the impact of children’s participation.
At the Child and Youth Friendly Governance Project, we support organisations and institutions in placing children at the heart of their operations, policies, and actions by:
helping organisations and institutions turn their commitment to child participation into action. See our advisory services.
working with partners to strengthen child participation capacities and systems See what you can do.
brokering collaboration, knowledge exchange, and learning. See our Knowledge hub.
The transformative power of child and youth-friendly governance
An investment in child and youth-friendly governance is an investment in children and young people’s well-being, healthy development, and future. It is an investment in accountable governance systems where laws, policies, and services reflect the needs of children, and where professionals working with and for children have the know-how, support, and solutions they need to succeed. An investment in children is an investment in flourishing communities now, and in the future. And ultimately, an investment in child-friendly governance is an investment in democracy.
Child and youth-friendly governance…
improves policies and services for children and young people
equips children and young people with skills and confidence to reach their full potential
improves transparency and accountability
strengthens civic engagement and democracy
Our Partners and Supporters
The work of the Child and Youth Friendly Governance Project would not be possible without the generous contribution of our partners and donors.
We would like to express our gratitude to all those mentioned below. We also extend our thanks to all the institutions and private individuals not listed.
