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I think it's important to bring light to those who are treated differently on things they can't control and how we should be focused on including them in society.

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Goal 10 | Department of Economic and Social Affairs

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Reduce inequality within and among countries

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Why does the majority in India have the minority in parliament? 

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Why does the majority in India have the minority in parliament? 

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Even though those under 35 make up around 65% of India's total population, they barely have any representation in Parliament. India is one of the most populated countries in the world, and with the ratio of youth representation being so low it sets the stage for the importance of bigger parliaments including the youth. If India were to increase engagement with young people it would be a huge deal.

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Less Than 10% of the Lok Sabha is Aged 25-40. Can Parliament Effectively Represent the Young?

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As India grapples with the challenges of the 21st century – such as AI, climate change and a growing gig economy – this reliance on older leaders seems increasingly out of sync.

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This website explains why active youth engagement in today's world politics is important to the future of politics.

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Building a Bridge: Why Engaging Young People in Politics Matters

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It’s vital to encourage young people to engage with their communities and the politic process throughout the year.

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Youth-led initiatives, such as FLY, are reshaping the role of young people in nation-building

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What punch does youth engagement pack? Amidst the youth-focused 2024 Summit for Democracy: Democracy for Future Generations, Alicja Lelwic-Ojeda and Lukmon Akintola highlight the crucial role of youth engagement in public affairs for achieving sustainable democracy. With the worldwide youth population sitting at 1.8 billion, 24% of the global population, there lies significant potential in these numbers that should not be underestimated. However, engaging youth in democratic politics remains an uphill battle.
The participation of young people in democratic politics has historically been challenging. Many initiatives have been started around the world to address this and offer examples of good practice that could be adopted widely to help galvanise real and continued improvements in the role of youth in democracy.

Amidst the ongoing Summit for Democracy, with the theme "Democracy for Future Generations", this commentary unpacks the significance of the engagement of young people in public affairs as a recipe for achieving sustainable democracy. This piece identifies challenges limiting the participation of young people in public affairs and presents strategies to advance meaningful youth engagement in democratic processes. Importantly, this commentary also provides relevant recommendations for member states and youth leaders at the Summit for Democracy, presenting nuanced ideas that can significantly improve youth political participation as well as advance national and global policy stability and developmental priorities.

The role of youth in a thriving sustainable democracy

With young people between the ages of 15-29 years old totalling 1.8 billion and accounting for 24% of the global population, this demographic presents unprecedented potential to drive transformative ideas at all levels. As we look towards the Summit for Democracy and nearly 50 elections scheduled around the world for this year, here are two key reasons why policymakers should integrate youth into public affairs:

Preserving and sustaining democratic processes and ideals : In a world where democracy is facing gradual decline, active youth participation in public affairs and existing democratic processes remains one of the potent ways to preserve and sustain democratic ideals globally. Young people across the world are using their skills and voices to hold their governments accountable, advocate for transparency in governance processes, promote human rights protection, advance civic engagement, speak against injustices, and promote social cohesion. Noting that while individual countries manage their own situational circumstances, young people globally need to be part of policy processes, including holding public offices, exercising their civil rights during elections, participating in public discourse, and advancing youth concerns. This is evidenced in Malta, where young people above the age of 16 can vote in national elections, European parliamentary elections, and referendums. This gives young people the opportunity to influence political processes and decisions at local, national, and regional levels. As in Malta, integrating young people into public affairs globally significantly preserves democracy, and provides youth with the necessary skills and grit to lead and promote democratic values for all.

Socio-economic development and political stability: Youth are at the heart of socio-economic growth and development and with the right skill set and education, young people can play a pivotal role in co-shaping and co-implementing national development priorities. Young people have advanced innovative ideas, implemented ground-breaking projects that directly impact people's lives, and established start-ups addressing socio-economic challenges, including peace and political stability, in several countries. This is evident in Nepal, where, after experiencing nearly ten years of civil war, an ambitious National Youth Policy to meaningfully integrate youth into political processes at both local and national levels was put in place. Nepal also decentralised their governance structure, giving young people the opportunity to actively participate in politics, particularly at the local level, helping Nepali youth to take ownership of the political stability of their country. In the Solomon Islands, a Truth and Reconciliation Commission was established to investigate the causes of ethnic violence and findings emphasised the importance of enhancing youth participation in decision-making at both local and national policy levels to prevent conflicts in the future. There are also instances of youth-led social enterprises, such as BudgIT operating in Nigeria and Liberia, working to promote accountability and transparency in governance, through breaking down national budgets into ordinary language that the public can easily understand. Several youth-led start-ups and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs), such as Co-Creation Hub and YIAGA Africa, are implementing innovative ideas to address national and regional challenges. These examples signal the significant roles of young people in championing socio-economic prosperity and promoting sustainable democracy across different regions.

Identifying the challenges affecting youth participation in democratic processes

Multiple systemic barriers limit the involvement of young people in public affairs, despite their vital role in democracy-building. Constitutional restrictions, political instability, lack of interest in youth development, poor civic education, vague youth-focused policies, limited leadership and/or technical skills, and human rights abuses are all systemic challenges significantly limiting many young people from engaging in democratic processes.

The value of youth contributions is frequently minimised at the institutional level. Young people are often expected to navigate systems created for and by adults and to provide contributions only when elders see it as needed or beneficial. The limited opportunities for youth engagement that exist are often not institutionalised or do not allow youth to shape decision-making processes. For instance, in many countries young people cannot run for political offices due to age restrictions. This is the case for Micronesia and Nigeria, where the minimum age of eligibility for national parliaments is 30 years old. Despite the aspirational goal of some governments to increase youth participation, their efforts often do not yield the expected results. Common issues surrounding youth policy implementation including insufficient resource allocation, limited technical capacity, and a lack of political incentives and ownership.

Young people in many countries need additional skills to participate in policy processes and public affairs actively and effectively. This gap is primarily due to insufficient funding in the education system and inadequate opportunities for young people to gain practical skills and socio-political experience. With 73 million youth unemployed globally as of 2022, many young people prioritise economic survival and charting a career path for themselves.

The barriers to youth participation can also be related to the national political context. Young people disproportionately struggle with the financial constraints that are associated with public affairs, especially the substantial financial burden of running a campaign. In some contexts, authorities may tokenise and promote young citizens involved in politics to create an illusion of openness and progress. Under authoritarian regimes, the restrictive nature of the political environment limits the meaningful exchange of ideas and limits the scope for youth to influence policy and governance. Some countries, including Uganda, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, have previously banned the use of social media platforms for political reasons, while others have denied the right of young people to peacefully protest. These repressive actions drive the apathy of young people towards public affairs and further limit their engagement and likelihood of involvement.

Exploring potent strategies for youth integration and participation in sustainable democracy

To realise and utilise their right to participation, young people need a conducive environment for facilitating their engagement with opportunities, means, space, and adequate support. Only after these conditions are met can young people use the available platforms to amplify their priorities and promote their vision for democracy. Nurturing and supporting youth-led action and empowering underrepresented groups are key to fully unlocking the potential of youth participation in democracy-building as many young people strive for the role of active change-maker rather than passive observers or ad-hoc contributors. To establish and maintain sustainable strategies, youth participation must be driven by young people themselves, with adult counterparts playing a supportive role in co-shaping the democratic processes and recognising the agency and autonomy of the youth.

Based on an upcoming in-depth scoping study assessing the implementation of national youth policies in ten countries at a global scale, this piece offers a preview of some key strategies that proved to be significant in improving the participation of young people in democratic practices. Directly addressing the common barriers to youth participation, the strategies are the result of a comparative analysis of successful government-led efforts to incorporate youth voices in their respective governance frameworks. To understand how youth policies can support youth leadership, each strategy is featured with examples of youth-led initiatives developed upon their implementation.

Youth ecosystem strategy

Rather than relying solely on isolated youth initiatives, developing a collaborative and interconnected youth ecosystem proved to be a potent strategy for youth integration and participation in democratic affairs. Several governments recognised that addressing the challenges faced by young people requires an integrated approach involving various stakeholder groups working harmoniously towards a shared goal. This approach involves strengthening partnerships among government structures and levels, youth groups, civil society organisations, educational institutions, and businesses. When different actors frequently communicate and cooperate on youth issues, it becomes easier to align policies across sectors. Consequently, policies and solutions related to complex youth needs - connected to political and civic life, education, employment, healthcare, and social services - are not contradictory but rather complement and reinforce each other, creating a supportive environment for young people.

Examples of successful implementation of this strategy can be observed in countries such as Costa Rica and Australia, where well-structured 'youth ecosystems' have been established. These ecosystems are designed to ensure that various youth bodies are not only independent and autonomous but also interconnected in their efforts.

In Costa Rica, youth sector actors have been combining their efforts to facilitate the participation of a greater number of diverse young people in public affairs. This participative approach facilitates the successful implementation of the youth policy. The National Youth System is present at all levels of governance, with all levels and bodies being institutionally connected with each other and externally with diverse stakeholders. Specifically, local-level youth bodies elect their national representatives who then elect youth representatives to the operational arm of the Vice-Ministry of Youth, the National Youth Council. By creating channels for continuous communication and cooperation, this model not only enhances the effectiveness of youth initiatives but also promotes accountability and transparency within the system. Youth groups are leveraging the local-level structures to propose and implement youth activities. In 2021, 81 youth-led projects were approved by the National Youth Council.

Australia presents another example of a thriving youth ecosystem. The Australian Youth Affairs Coalition (AYAC) is an ecosystem that brings together youth and youth-led organisations to form a powerful movement advocating for all young people and advancing transformational change in the country. As a powerful voice of Australian youth, the AYAC proposes youth-focused policy reforms and supports the activities of the government-led Youth Advisory Groups (YAGs). The Australian government is leveraging the transformative power of the youth ecosystem to meaningfully integrate young people into the policy processes, through the YAG initiative. Through the AYAC, young people in Australia are able to influence policies, particularly on issues that directly affect them.

Shifting the power strategy

Governments should treat young people as partners rather than beneficiaries of government-led initiatives, acknowledging the potential and significant role of youth in driving change. Trusting proposed solutions and providing the necessary resources for young people to succeed is a powerful strategy to foster youth participation. Establishing transparent, institutionally mandated, well-resourced, self-organised, inclusive, and contextually relevant representative youth structures is also imperative to shifting power to youth. Governments can tap into the innovative ideas and diverse perspectives of young people only by entrusting them with responsibilities and opportunities to take charge. This includes acknowledging the capabilities of young people and genuinely inviting them to decision-making tables by granting them mandates, specific duties, and budgets for the implementation of initiatives that are beyond the interests of the political party currently in power. Political dependency can lead to disengagement among young people, as they may perceive the available means of participation as unreliable and temporary.

This strategy of power shifting has been successfully implemented in the Philippines. The Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) are local youth councils, a governing body voted into office by the youth constituency, and present in each of 42,000 government units in the Philippines. It is a platform for shaping policies and decision-making at the local level. By granting young people levels of power and authority similar to elected officials at the local, municipal, or provincial levels, the SK structure promotes active youth involvement in community decision-making by addressing youth-related matters and providing youth perspectives on diverse local issues. In 2015, intense youth advocacy led to a comprehensive reform of the SK, which demonstrates the interest of young people in taking action and reclaiming the space. The SKs were revitalised by introducing anti-political dynasty initiatives, financial independence, and mandatory continued training of SK officials.

Liberia also presents examples of this shifting power strategy. With 14 years of civil war in the country, the Liberian government is now investing in the Federation for Liberian Youth (FLY), a youth ecosystem that advances the voices and concerns of the Liberian youth. FLY has been a viable platform for influencing policy processes, demanding accountability and transparency in governance, and constructively engaging the government on behalf of Liberian young people. FLY promotes peace and stability through capacity building and advocacy campaigns, such as facilitating the Buutuo Declaration, signed by youth leaders across political divides ahead of the Liberian national election in 2023. Beyond promoting the interests of young people in governance processes, FLY represents a potent strategy to advance socio-political stability in Liberia. FLY is reshaping the role of young people in nation-building, serving as a platform to meaningfully engage in policy processes. With these, youth-led initiatives are receiving financial and non-financial support from the government and other relevant stakeholders.

Conclusion

Democracies for future generations are built with and by the current generations of young people. Ahead of the third Summit for Democracy, participants should commit to addressing the barriers that young people face when engaging in political life. This will unlock the potential of youth to drive contributions to sustainable development at the local, national, and international levels. Member states can focus on implementing evidence-based strategies and approaches to meaningfully include youth voices in their development agendas, and the above strategies and the Menu of Possible Commitments, developed by the Youth Democracy Cohort, can be drawn on to launch or strengthen meaningful youth political participation. It is essential to note that a single perfect solution or fixed path guaranteeing improved youth participation does not exist, and actions must be tailored to local circumstances. Youth leaders should continue to leverage the available platforms and spaces to advocate for the implementation of solutions and strategies that they believe would be the most effective in their context. Youth collectivisation, through the consolidation of shared priorities and concerns, proves to be an efficient strategy for achieving policy change. To better youth political participation, participants should focus on building multi-stakeholder and intergenerational partnerships during the Summit and beyond. Only by increasing inclusive cooperation can democracy-building efforts leverage the diverse resources, skills, and expertise each partner brings. All actors have unique insights and capacities that, when combined, can lead to more comprehensive and sustainable solutions to shared challenges.

Authors

Lukmon Akintola is a researcher and a policy advisor working at the intersection of climate change, human security, migration, and inclusive governance. He holds a master's degree in Politics and International Relations from Peking University, Beijing. He currently serves as a Knowledge Advisor at the Global Center for Climate Mobility, where he is supporting the Africa Climate Mobility Initiative (ACMI) Deep Dive project in West Africa. He is also serving as the climate mobility lead for the African Non State Actors of the GFMD/GCM. Lukmon previously worked as the program lead at the Migration Youth and Children Platform (MYCP) and has consulted for several international organisations, including UNICEF, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, European Partnership for Democracy, Save the Children, among others.

Alicja Lelwic-Ojeda is a policy advisor specialising in participatory policy-making and rights-based approaches to development. Her areas of expertise include youth participation, socioeconomic inclusion of marginalised groups, and migration governance. On behalf of organisations such as the European Partnership for Democracy, European Commission, and the British Government, Alicja analysed youth participation strategies of national governments, researched the implementation of mobility and skills partnerships, and helped shape youth employment strategies in South Africa. Alicja currently serves as Co-Director within the United Nations Major Group for Children and Youth, where she facilitates the inclusion of youth priorities and voices in migration policy processes. She holds a Bachelor's degree from Sciences Po Paris and an MSc in Public Administration from Erasmus University Rotterdam.

This publication was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.

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Youth Participation Strategies for Building Sustainable Democracies

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Youth participation strategies are vital for sustainable democracy. Explore strategies and examples that empower young people.

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The participation of young people in political processes is crucial for building stable and peaceful societies.

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These topic pages provide a quick overview and easy access to all content that can be found on ACE for any give topic of interest - weather encyclopaedia files, electoral materials, comparative data, consolidated replies, case studies, or other.

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"In the area of political participation, in a third of countries, eligibility for national parliament starts at 25 years old or older". With this statistic being true in many countries it makes it extremely difficult for youth representation. This also highlights what policies could be implemented in society for the possibility of youth being in the government.

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According to the United Nations youth under 30 make up almost half of the world population, yet they only hold about 2% of seats in national parliaments. This shows the injustice of the youth to representation ratio.

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Today, our world is home to the largest generation of young people in history. But what kind of world are these young people going to inherit? It's time for all generations to unite-and together tackle some of the most pressing issues facing the world. And the first step is to make sure young people are meaningfully included in decision-making spaces around the world.

Trying to fix global issues in isolation, with the same people in the same rooms, using the same solutions isn't working. We must look at systemic change to allow fresh views and perspectives to be heard. We must embrace intergenerational collaboration.

Young people have already shown that they have the ideas, spirit, and commitment to bring about the positive changes we collectively need, yet their voices are still underrepresented in parliaments around the world.

Despite the fact half of the world's population is under 30, only 2.6% of parliamentarians globally fall within this age group.

If this proportion were reflected in a year, the views of those under the age of 30 would stop being represented after just nine days into the year.

On Jan. 9, we marked "No Say Day" in solidarity with the millions of young people around the world who continue to be excluded from political decision-making spaces at a time when the world is facing extreme systemic challenges.

Last week, world leaders gathered for the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos. Alongside other prominent global convenings that are often criticized for being out of touch, Davos is but another clear reminder of the need for stronger and more prominent inclusion of young people in decision-making spaces.

We know the public is widely in favor of fairer political representation for young people. According to joint research, conducted by the Office of the United Nations Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth and The Body Shop, two-thirds of people agree the age balance in politics is wrong.

Numerous barriers prevent young people from having their say in public life, with our research findings similarly indicating that 72% of all people of all ages believe politicians simply don't listen to young people.

Yet even in these challenging environments, young people are keen to create lasting change at all levels. Most young people feel positive about the future and are determined to increase their involvement in public life. A third of those under 30 surveyed would consider running for office, compared with only a fifth of those over 30.

People across all age groups told us that political systems would be improved by giving young people a say in policy. 70% agree that younger generations will change things for the better-but while young people have the potential, they don't yet have the power. Change can only happen through generations working together.

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Half of the world's population is under 30-but they have little say over the decisions that shape their future. It's time for young people to be seen and heard in the halls of power

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Young people are massively underrepresented in national parliaments around the world. The Body Shop and the UN are lobbying governments to change that.

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This index is a great tool that shows lots of statistics relating to Youth Participation. An example would be how in places like the UK they have a score of 78% which would be considered good, however in Egypt they only have about 44% on the index.

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The GYPI is the first global tool measuring youth participation. Click to explore!

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In Singapore (where only 1/3 of youth voted in recent elections) they have a youth council in which participants take active participation in country politics and work with the government directly to resolve issues.

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The National Youth Council (NYC) Singapore collaborates with partners to ensure young Singaporeans have opportunities to develop self-awareness and resilience, deepen community spirit, and be future-ready. We hear youth, we empower youth and are HERE FOR YOUTH.

The National Youth Council (NYC) Singapore collaborates with partners to ensure young Singaporeans have opportunities to develop self-awareness and resilience, deepen community spirit, and be future-ready. We hear youth, we empower youth and are HERE FOR YOUTH.

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National Youth Council (NYC) Singapore | NYC

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The National Youth Council (NYC) Singapore is committed to supporting youth to be heard, be empowered, and to be the change.

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"Covering over 130 countries, the average youth participation score sits at 60/100, underlining a global participation gap. Norway tops the list with a score of 84/100, followed by New Zealand (83). "

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Political participation worldwide: where do young people stand?

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Despite making up a growing share of the global population, young people remain excluded from political and economic decision-making. The Global Youth Participation Index - GYPI - offers the first comprehensive, data-driven effort to assess how youth engage across four key dimensions: Political Affairs, Elections, Socio-Economic dimension and Civic Space. Covering over 130 countries, the

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The African Youth Envoy strives to increase youth participation in efforts to promote development in Africa.

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Agenda 2063 is the blueprint and master plan for transforming Africa into the global powerhouse of the future. It is the strategic framework for delivering on Africa's goal for inclusive and sustainable development and is a concrete manifestation of the pan-African drive for unity, self-determination, freedom, progress and collective prosperity pursued under Pan-Africanism and African Renaissance.

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In the latest election voter registration in Mexico increase significantly in people under 30. So much so that the youth in Mexico are now the largest group of voters with about 26.5% of the voting total.

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The Youth Vote in Mexico’s 2024 Elections [Infographic]

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Every general election, the number of registered voters in Mexico increases, especially youth voters under the age of 30. These youth voters will make up 26.5% of the entire electorate, making them the largest group of voters. In a nationwide survey conducted by Expansión and the Universidad del Valle Mexico (UVM) Centro de Opinión Publica1557 youths from across the country were asked various questions regarding Mexico’s electoral and political processes. When asked if they planned on voting in the June 2024 elections, 81.6% of respondents said yes.

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In Latin America they are proposing global action for youth and have a plan for the next 15 years. This could be an important step globally for inspiration in other parts of the world. With Latin America having a set plan to follow some other countries might try to follow in their footsteps.

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Youth | 2030 Agenda in Latin America and the Caribbean

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I think I want to research youth representation in the government which must be addressed to reach SDG goal 10. I will focus on the UK and their approach to making to government more youth friendly. I want to research this because I think that it's very important for the youth to have a voice in the decisions made everyday about our future and our present.

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With the UK lowering the voting age this shows the improvements that they are making with youth voice. They are arguing that 16 year old's should be able to vote because they already have many rights at this age, and the government is saying that this ensures a "Future Proof democracy". People for this movement also argue that this would help improve youth voter turnout, because the amount of people voting who are under 30 in the UK has been declining.

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UK to lower voting age to 16 – a once-in-a-generation opportunity to secure the future health of British democracy

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Changing the law opens space for a wider conversation about where young people sit in British society.

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The UK government is launching a national listening exercise called "Deliver You" to gather input from young people aged 10-21 to inform the development of a new National Youth Strategy. The consultation will involve an online survey, in-person focus groups called "Democracy Cafes", and youth-led "Hackathon" events. The government has appointed a Youth Advisory Group of 13 young people and an Expert Advisory Group of 14 experts from various sectors to guide the process and ensure young people's voices are at the heart of policymaking. The goal is to move away from a one-size-fits-all approach and give young people a genuine opportunity to shape the policies and services that affect their lives.

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Government partners with young people to help develop new national youth strategy

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Young voices to be at the heart of policymaking as government breaks down barriers to opportunity through Plan for Change

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Research Question 1 (final research question)

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Research Question 1 (final research question)

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How does the UK's inclusion of youth voice within their government improve the life of citizens, and how does this make them a leader for youth voice around the world?

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In what ways does the UK's government engagement with youth voice contribute to better policy making, social outcomes, and improvements to the future of democracy in the UK?

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The UK government has announced a £88 million investment to support youth clubs and schools in offering more after-school activities, aiming to provide young people with opportunities to build essential skills for life and work. This is important for youth engagement because it shows how the government is actively trying to improve the lives of young people, which makes them more inclined to engage with the government.

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Prime Minister unveils new opportunities for young people to re-connect with their communities

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Prime Minister announces major expansion of youth services and real-world opportunities to re-connect young people with the world around them

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Engaging young people in UK foreign policy

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Engaging young people in UK foreign policy

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The UK lacks structured mechanisms for young people to engage with foreign policy, unlike other countries, and this needs to be addressed to build a more sustainable and future-focused foreign policy. Young people are willing to act on issues that matter to them, but significant gaps remain between interest and engagement, and that the UK doesn't seem to be developing ways for young people to engage with foreign policy.

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Engaging Young People in UK Foreign Policy - British Foreign Policy Group

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BFPG Associate Fellow, Aryan Sanghrajka, explores the importance of youth voices in tackling current and emerging global challenges.

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Half of the UK's youth is unhappy with the state of democracy

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Half of the UK's youth is unhappy with the state of democracy

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A survey conducted by researchers from Royal Holloway University of London found that nearly 49% of young people aged 16-21 in the UK are not satisfied with how democracy works in the country. The dissatisfaction is even higher among the younger age group of 16-18 years old 52%. The researchers believe this could pose a concern for the future of democracy in the UK, the survey also revealed that those who are less interested in politics are more likely to be dissatisfied. The main concerns of young people are the cost of living crisis, inflation, and the overall economic situation, which makes them worried about their future. The researchers suggest that politicians and policymakers need to work together with young people to address their concerns and find ways to increase their participation in the democratic process.

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Survey finds that nearly half of young people are unhappy with UK democracy

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A team of academics from Royal Holloway, University of London, have conducted a survey which suggests that almost half of the young people surveyed are dissatisfied with how democracy works in the UK.

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A new study shows that only 1 in 10 young people ages 8-17 in the UK think that the government prioritize their needs when making decisions. 57% of young people feel as though the government doesn't listen to them, and 88% say that it is important for them to have a say in important political decisions.

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· New research reveals only one in 10 young people aged eight-17 believe politicians always or often focus on the needs of young people when making decisions; · Some 88 per cent of young people believe it is important to have a say in the decisions politicians make about public life; · As UK charities - including UK Youth - launch first mass-scale election for children, young people say the issues they care about the most are safety and mental health.
New research from the UK's top youth and education organisations has revealed only one in 10 young people aged eight-17 believe politicians always or often focus on the needs of young people when making decisions.

The findings mark the launch of 'Our Generation. Our Vote' - the largest-of-its-kind election for children and young people, which will give under 18s across England and Wales the opportunity to cast their vote through their school or youth group for political candidates in their constituencies, with results to be announced ahead of the General Election later this year.

Children have strong opinions about the society they live in and it's up to adults to make sure we listen and address their wants and needs.

Meg Briody, Save the Children Head of Child and Youth Participation

The project will be run through schools and youth groups and aims to teach young people about politics and democracy, while also carving out an important space for young voices ahead of the general election.

As parties from across the political divide prepare to set out their stall in their election manifestos, young people revealed safety and mental health are the most important issues affecting them. More than half, 56 per cent, of those surveyed selected safety as their top issue, with a particular focus on bullying and safety at school. This was followed by mental health, at 46 per cent, and social media, 38 per cent.

More than a fifth of children listed the cost of things, with 68 per cent of those young people worried about the cost of groceries and more than half, 58 per cent, concerned about bills such as heating. More than a fifth of young people also cited climate change as one of the most important issues affecting children and young people.

Sixteen-year-olds Darcy, from Newcastle, and Maddy, from Devon, took part in Save the Children's Potential Not Poverty campaign last year and hope to cast their ballot in the 'Our Generation. Our Vote' election. This year, they are supporting the children's election and are excited for young people to have the opportunity to use their voices to influence political decision-makers.

Maddy said: "There is a stigma around children taking part and having a voice in politics. Often adults don't listen to what we have to say. Young people's opinions do matter and we need to be heard.

"I am excited that through 'Our Generation. Our Vote.' children are getting the chance to tell politicians about the issues that matter to us and show adults that young people care about the future."

Darcy said: "Younger generations inherit what adults decide, so I think it is really important that young people have a say in decisions that will affect our future.

"Children see and experience things in a different way to adults. Our perspectives are important. Currently it feels like our politicians don't represent us. We want more younger people in politics and politicians to take the time to listen to what we have to say."

Strong opinions

Meg Briody, Head of Child and Youth Participation at Save the Children said: "This research reveals how little young people feel listened to by our nation's politicians - and that needs to change. Children have strong opinions about the society they live in and it's up to adults to make sure we listen and address their wants and needs.

"We are delighted to be working with so many expert organisations across the child rights, youth democracy and education sectors, as well as engaging with major political parties themselves, to bring this project to life.

"It's fantastic to see the huge appetite for demystifying politics and increasing young people's political literacy, which is crucial for engaging future generations of
voters."

The 'Our Generation. Our Vote' coalition will be engaging with all major political parties in England and Wales throughout the project, to support them in the delivery of child-friendly manifestos and other resources, so that young people have access to the same information as adults ahead of the election. A big focus for the project will be on reaching young people from under-represented communities in politics who might be less likely to vote in the future.

For further information about how schools and youth groups can sign up to take part in 'Our Generation. Our Vote,' click here.

UK Youth is a leading charity with a vision that all young people are equipped to thrive and empowered to contribute at every stage of their lives. With an open network of more than 8,000 youth organisations and nation partners; UK Youth reaches more than four million young people across the UK and is focused on unlocking youth work as the catalyst of change that is needed now more than ever. To find out more, visit ukyouth.org

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Only one in 10 young people believe politicians prioritise their needs, as children's election launched - UK Youth

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· New research reveals only one in 10 young people aged eight-17 believe politicians always or often focus on the needs of young people when making decisions; · Some 88 per cent of young people believe it is important to have a say in the decisions politicians make about public life; · As UK charities [...]