In a pivotal moment for youth advocacy and leadership, the National Youth Agency (NYA) unveils it’s What the Future Holds report, which outlines the rationale and recommendations for the rebirth of a new National Youth Council to the UK.
The recommendations are based on the insights gathered through an extensive consultation exercise with key stakeholders on the value and future of a National Youth Council, which revealed an unequivocal demand for young people’s voices in the policy space at a local, regional, national and European level. The resulting report lays out a clear vision for rebuilding a robust infrastructure for youth voice and influence under a newly established National Youth Council to the UK.
The proposals, which are subject to funding and government support, suggest that the new-look National Youth Council would act as a membership framework with clear benefits, such as subsidised training, discounted resources and networking opportunities to enhance youth engagement.
The consultation exercise, led by Esther Horner-Aird, Strategic Youth Voice Lead, NYA, aimed to scope sustainable solutions for a National Youth Council following the closure of the British Youth Council (BYC) in March 2024, after 76 years of service. The NYA acquired BYC’s assets in May 2024 to ensure the continuation of key activities, namely UK Youth Parliament and the UK Young Ambassador (UKYA) programme.
The What the Future Holds report underscores the UK’s historical role as a leader in democratic youth participation as a founding member of the European Youth Forum, making the case for a strong national platform for youth representation, to ensure young people can contribute to domestic and international policy discussions which directly impact their lives.
Key recommendations set out in the report, include:
- Governance – establish a strong governance model through the election of a youth-led executive board and develop a UK-wide advisory expert board, representing all four nations
- Membership model – develop a structured UK-wide membership framework, involving a transparent membership fee structure
- Stakeholder engagement – develop a structured framework for youth representation across the UK, implement clear criteria for national organisations seeking representation and create a five-year strategic plan
- Service delivery – align all service delivery areas with a comprehensive business plan to keep focus on strategic priorities
- Funding – secure a five-year blended funding model incorporating grants, corporate partnerships, membership fees, and government funding
- Equality, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (EEDIB) – develop a comprehensive EEDIB strategy which aligns with the National Youth Council’s core values
- International work – ensure the successful delivery of the UK Young Ambassador (UKYA) programme and continued membership in the European Youth Forum and Commonwealth Youth Council
- Academic research and higher education collaborations – create opportunities for young researchers and investigate youth engagement in constitutional democracy and their influence on devolved policy decisions
The report has been formally endorsed by key youth bodies with a vested interest in the recreation of a National Youth Council for the UK including The Scouts, OnSide Youth Zones and Groundwork, and the NYA is now exploring how the proposals can be taken forward with the backing of government and other funding sources.
Professor Laura Lundy, youth advocacy expert from Queen’s University Belfast, commented: “A National Youth Council for the UK would ensure that children and young people across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland are not only heard but truly listened to. It should empower them to shape decisions that directly impact their lives.”
Esther Horner-Aird, Strategic Youth Voice Lead, NYA, said: “This report marks a significant step forward in reimagining how a National Youth Council to the UK can unite our nation of nations and amplify, empower, support and resource effective youth voice and influence structures.
“The vision, endorsed by key bodies that can make it happen, is for a new and reinvigorated National Youth Council to the UK. This network will allow young voices from all backgrounds to be heard, enable key policies to be interrogated and to ensure that young people across the UK are central to policy development and scrutiny, as well as local decision-making, that affects them.”
The National Youth Agency expresses its deep gratitude to the many contributors who helped shape this vision, including participants from Young Lives Foundation Medway, National Citizenship Service, Sheffield Youth Council, Be Well, Berkshire Youth, Kinetic Youth, London Youth, Young Somerset, and The Mix.
Download the full report here.
