This kit contains the best 13 resources on the YouthLead website related to youth and civic engagement. They are a great starting point for youth interested in learning more about becoming engaged citizens and making a difference in their communities. The kit is broken down into sections on how youth leaders are active in their communities, resources on the topic of youth and civic engagement, toolkits, and funding opportunities.
How Young Changemakers are Promoting Civic Engagement in Their Community
- Mpasi Aprille: Being a tutor for children who have experienced trauma, in an after school program where learning is one on one with a tutor, fun and flexible to help them stay in mainstream school. They are slow learners so this program helps them to catch up with others and avoid dropping out of school. Also offering emotional support. Investing in quality education for vulnerable children and promoting the narrative of inclusive education.
- Jacmen Kouakou: Over the past 3 years, my youth platform CQMC-Plateforme Corruption Quitte Ma Cité has trained over 205 young leaders from 90 civil society organizations on the principles of governance and transparency, we equally empowered them on the importance of their civic and political participation for the betterment of the society as a whole.
- Jutomue Doetein: We recognize young people as the key to the growth and development of Liberia. In 2019 as Advocacy Officer of a Non-Governmental Youthled development organization (SHALOM INC), we empowered 375 vulnerable Adolescents with knowledge in Pastry, Cosmetology, Tailoring, and Hospitality with support from UNICEF Liberia. Through the implementation, we never forgot to educate our beneficiaries on Responsible Civic Engagement in Liberia. We remain committed to empowering young Liberians especially the vulnerable population.
- Adebiyi Kehinde Samuel: By calling for active participation of youths in SDGs propagation and implementation. This is done through periodic training of students across all levels on the SDGs scheme.
Resources:
YouthLead Civic Engagement Country Snapshots - This report provides insights on youth knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to youth civic engagement to inform the design of youth programs.
UN World Youth Report: Youth Civic Engagement - This report examines the nature of youth civic engagement and provides a benchmark for youth discussions in policy.
Youth2030: The United Nations Strategy on Youth - This strategy document recognizes young people’s agency and ability to create change. It presents a strategy of youth empowerment for countries and organizations to follow.
Young people, the Internet and civic participation | Shakuntala Banaji | TEDxUHasselt - This TEDTalk discusses the idea of youth agency and how the internet has shaped the nature of civic engagement for youth.
Restoring youth civic engagement | Noah Tesfaye | TEDxLAHS - This TEDTalk discusses the importance of education of civics for youth and how political activism can be reinvigorated in young people.
Measuring Youth Sentiments About Civic Participation Across Africa - This study analyzes youth perception on the civic process and politics across Africa.
Youth Delegates Call for Meaningful Work, Inclusion in Decision-Making, as Third Committee Concludes Debate on Social Development - This article explains UNGA’s Third Committee Finding on the need for more inclusion of youth in policy making.
Trends for youth civic engagement: online, inclusive and local - This article discusses the trends for youth civic engagement.
Tips/ Toolkits/ Guidelines
10 easy ways to be a more engaged citizen - This list examines simple and easy ways to become a more active citizen in your community.
Youth Civic Engagement Resource Toolkit - This toolkit offers creative ways of engaging youth in civic engagement activities.
A toolkit for supporting youth civic engagement in underserved communities - This toolkit presents civic building blocks, research insights, and a “how to guide” related to youth and civic involvement.
Authentic Youth Civic Engagement A Guide for Municipal Leaders - This guide presents municipal leaders with action kits and resources related to youth involvement to better develop their programming.
Youth Engagement Toolkit - This toolkit explains the importance of active youth engagement and steps for policy makers to take in promoting it.
Funding
Grants.gov Youth Funding Opportunity Grants - This funding search tool will help you find a variety of youth-related grants.
Now What?: Putting the Starter Kit into Action
- Use the Trends for Youth Civic Engagement resource and the Youth Civic Engagement Resource Toolkit as a jumping off point to your leadership development journey.
- Examine your own civic engagement actions using the 10 Easy Ways to Become a More Engaged Citizen resource.
- If working with a team, convene a team meeting to debrief on lessons learned and applicability to your organization. Incorporate lessons learned into your organization’s outreach strategy.
- Evaluate your success using the SMART Goals: A How to Guide rubric, making adjustments accordingly.
- Provide your feedback on this site—which tools are working and what is missing?