Not Just Another Plan: Defining What a Youth Engagement Strategy Is
- Sarah Barbosa
- Feb 24
- 3 min read
“Can someone please explain to me, in simple terms, what a youth engagement strategy is?”
Why yes, yes, I can!
Many organizations think that they are engaging youth but without a plan or strategy, what ends up happening is short stints of unsustainable engagement where youth don’t feel included, or your organization isn’t seeing any benefits from an uptick in youth engagement.
If this all sounds like familiar discussions you’re having within your organization, then continue reading.
In this blog post, we are going to break down the definition of youth engagement and give examples of what it can look like when applied in real life.
Want to learn more about how it will look in your organization? Reach out.
Youth Engagement Strategy Definition:
A youth engagement strategy is the deliberate process of authentically engaging youth in decision-making processes to create mutually beneficial partnerships between youth and their community. It involves actively seeking the input of young people and asking for their ideas, insights and perspectives. With the added responsibility of integrating their feedback into an organization's programs, services, policies and decision-making processes.
That sounds like quite the mouthful, doesn’t it? So, let’s break it down.
The above graphic is a fun way I like to break down the explanation of what a youth engagement strategy is, but let’s walk through it point by point.
Point 1: “Deliberate process”
When an organization decides to build and implement a youth engagement strategy, they are consciously choosing to do so. It removes the previous approach to youth engagement where it was likely, it’s done when it’s done and not much follow-up or thought is given to it. Whereas now, it’s a conscious choice and with it comes much more seriousness to the matter and action to back it up.
Point 2: “Mutually beneficial partnerships”
The goal of the youth engagement strategy is to benefit both the youth and the organization. It's about giving youth a platform to share their voice, create change with tangible actions and empower them.
On the flip side, it’s also there to benefit organizations. When organizations engage youth they see an increase in their support base, their impact grows, their programs and services become more well-rounded, and their organization starts making decisions with the future in mind – thereby future-proofing their organization and community. It’s meant to benefit both parties and when done well, it does exactly that.
Point 3: “Actively seeking input”
The onus to start the engagement process lies with the organization. It’s not enough to say we want to engage youth and then sit around waiting for them, you need to find ways to seek their input. In the beginning, this might require you to get extra creative (although creativity is welcome at any stage).
Find unique ways to get young people into your organization and unique ways to engage them so they keep coming back, building and supporting your organization.
Point 4: “Integrating their feedback”
The most important aspect of the definition is that if you are actively seeking input from youth, it is important to take action based on their feedback. Simply asking for their opinions or suggestions just to check a box will not lead to any meaningful change. It won't improve your organization, nor will it empower them.
When you engage youth deliberately and authentically, integrating their feedback is essential for successful engagement. Your systems, decision-making processes, and practices will only change when you start incorporating their insights. This is when real transformation happens, and the positive impact becomes evident. Without this critical element, nothing will change. As the saying goes, "Nothing changes if nothing changes."
That, in a nutshell, is a breakdown of what a youth engagement strategy is.
If you want to read more on what is and understand it further, check out The Non-Profit’s Guide to Youth Engagement and Outreach.
Not quite done reading up on youth engagement just yet? I got you – check out these blog posts:
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