The democratic platform for youth voice across the UK, Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories.
Youth Council UK (YCUK) brings together young people from across the UK to connect, share experiences and shape the decisions that affect their lives – locally, regionally and nationally.
We unite 7.8 million+ young people through 200+ member youth organisations, creating a single, powerful platform for youth voice in democracy across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, the Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories.
Youth Council UK is unique in the UK in bringing together this breadth of youth‑led membership and this scale of collective reach.
What is Youth Council UK?
We bring together youth organisations of all sizes (from small, local groups to national bodies) to ensure young people’s voices are heard by decision‑makers at every level. YCUK is co‑created by young people, run by an Executive Board of elected young leaders, and shaped by the organisations and communities they represent.
YCUK is a movement, a membership body, and a democratic mechanism all at once. We exist to ensure that young people’s views are not an afterthought, but a tangible, meaningful and influential part of how decisions are made that affect their lives.
What YCUK delivers
Voice and Influence
The Executive Board set national priorities, develops policy positions, and engages directly with government ministers, international bodies, and decision-makers.
Connection and Collaboration
YCUK connects the sector. Members share learning, pool resources, coordinate campaigns, and access a national infrastructure they could not build alone. Helps many individual groups work together as one.
Empowerment and Opportunity
Through training, skills development and leadership pathways, YCUK creates real, substantive opportunities for young people to collaborate and lead.
Standards and Accountability
Working toward an Informal Democratic Education Standards framework, YCUK will raise the profile and quality of youth participation practice across the UK.
Meet the Executive Board
In April 2026, 17 young people were democratically elected by YCUK’s founding member organisations, joining two existing UK Young Ambassadors to form an Executive Board of 19 young leaders.
The Executive Board, focus on strategic leadership, policy development and representation. Through this work, the Board help ensure young people’s priorities continue to shape UK-wide decision-making and Youth Council UK’s long-term direction.
”I am deeply passionate about tackling the issues that impact young people every day, from safeguarding and violence against young women and girls, to substance misuse, mental health, inequality, and the pressures of the digital world. These are not distant issues to me; they are shaped by both my own experiences and the stories young people have trusted me with throughout this campaign. I am also deeply committed to tackling racism and everyday inequalities.
As a British Asian young woman, I believe stronger understanding, communication and inclusion are essential in helping young people navigate identity and in building empathy between communities. I am driven to challenge and transform the culture surrounding knife crime and youth violence, which continue to undermine how safe young people feel in their neighbourhoods."
Ashrita KaliaChair, Youth Council UK
The Journey to YCUK
YCUK is…
Built by young people
Youth Council UK was co‑created with young people aged 16–25, alongside youth sector experts, to reflect the lived experiences, challenges and priorities of young people today.
Led by elected young people
Member organisations nominate young people to stand for election to YCUK’s Executive Board. These young leaders set priorities, lead campaigns and engage directly with decision‑makers on behalf of young people and the sector.
Shaped from the bottom up
Power in YCUK flows upwards. Our priorities are shaped by the collective voice of member organisations and the young people they work with, not set from the top down or driven by a single organisation.
From local change to national influence
Youth Council UK holds national influence while ensuring impact is felt at a local level. We recognise that meaningful change often begins in communities. By prioritising grassroots voices, we help local priorities shape regional and national conversations.
Inclusive of all organisational sizes
YCUK is open to all organisations that work with young people, from small grassroots groups to national charities.
Actively evolving
Building on the British Youth Council’s 75-year legacy, Youth Council UK was co-created with young people to develop a refreshed, modern, and more representative model. It is designed democratically to allow for priorities to continuously emerge and evolve.
Become a member of Youth Council UK today!
If your organisation is passionate about supporting young people to shape national and international decision-making, then become a member today and be a part of this exciting new chapter for youth voice.
For young people
Youth Council UK is designed by young people, for young people.
Through your organisation, or by joining one of our member organisations, you can:
- Connect with other young people
- Help shape campaigns and priorities
- Stand for a leadership role (the next elections take place in 2028)
- Make change happen in your community, and help take it further
- If your organisation is already a member, ask how you can get involved.
If not, encourage them to look into Youth Council UK.
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Frequently asked questions
Why do we need Youth Council UK?
Young people make up a big part of our community but are often left out of decision-making. The Youth Council UK ensures diverse youth perspectives are heard and helps create programmes that truly meet young people’s wants and needs.
Youth Council UK was developed following a sector-wide consultation and the What the Future Holds report, which gathered views from young people and organisations on how a national youth participation body should work. Youth voice was central throughout, with young people helping co-produce and deliver focus groups to shape Youth Council UK.
Does Youth Council UK have real influence, or is it symbolic?
One of the foundational goals is that YCUK will be able to represent youth views to Government and decision-makers, so influence is built into the mission.
Elected members have an active role in decision-making, attend council meetings, propose initiatives, and provide input on youth-related policies. Their recommendations are formally shared with decision makers and government departments in the UK and internationally.
UK Young Ambassadors were also selected as part of the election process, so members represent young people internationally.
From the beginning, young people have played a pivotal role in YCUK’s development strengthening its legitimacy. This includes co-designing its mission, structure, and democratic processes.
How does the National Youth Council relate to local youth councils (like ours)?
The national body (YCUK) sets a framework and amplifies youth voices at national level. Local youth councils remain important as grassroots, on-the-ground structures.
Local councils could feed into YCUK by representing local youth voices upward, or via partnerships or regular communication.
The national body does not replace local structures; instead, it aims to coordinate, represent, and link youth voice across regions and nationally.
Who can be elected to the Youth Council UK Executive Committee?
Membership organisations can nominate young people to stand for election every two years. The next election is in 2028.
The Youth Council UK is for organisations working with all young people who live, study, or work in the UK, crown dependencies and overseas territories.
It values lived experience, enthusiasm, and commitment more than grades or titles.
The council is party-politically neutral. It’s about improving the community, not promoting specific parties or candidates.
Do youth council members or representatives get paid or receive support?
Members of the Executive Board are not paid, as they serve as trustees and are therefore legally unable to receive payment. We will make sure reasonable expenses will be fully covered to ensure there are no financial barriers to participation and inclusion.
Executive Board members will benefit from valuable work experience, skills development, and access to a wide range of opportunities. Youth Council UK (YCUK) is also committed to creating paid opportunities for young people beyond the Executive Board.
All travel, subsistence, and related costs will be covered by YCUK, including any expenses associated with additional needs.
What is NYA’s role?
The British Youth Council (BYC) ceased operating in March 2024, and NYA stepped in to redesign and rebuild the institution in a new format.
NYA is acting as the convening and coordinating body, and the long-term aim is to create a truly independent, sustainable youth-led charitable body. NYA is committed to ensuring that Youth Council UK is genuinely youth-led. As part of this, the NYA will prioritise the development and implementation of a clear strategic plan to support a gradual and meaningful transition to independence.
