There are no youth policies without youth participation. This sentence may sound like a cliché, but for us – youth organizations, youth workers and all those who work for and with young people – it is a fundamental compass. When young people are not included in discussions that affect them, policies are created that do not recognize real needs. Participation is not a luxury or an add-on – it is a basic right and a necessary prerequisite for good decision-making. Despite all the available tools and declarative support for participation, young people are still too often only present symbolically – as “voices” that are listened to but not heard. From school boards and student bodies, to youth councils and national consultations, real decision-making power is rarely in their hands. However, this is not a reason to give up – but a call to action. That is why we have created this handbook. It is a tool, a guide and support for everyone who wants to use advocacy for positive change – whether it is to change a school decision, a local rulebook, a national law or a European policy. There are no "too big" or "too small" topics - every step towards greater involvement of young people is valuable.
The manual is intended primarily for youth organizations and for young people, as well as anyone who work with young people, from local initiatives to national networks. It is also useful for those who just getting into advocacy work, and for the more experienced who want to improve their methods.