Every young person has the right to be listened to… Especially when it comes to decisions about services that are designed to support them.
Learn how the NYA embeds Youth Voice and Participation across our organisation and the ways we can help you to do the same.
According to the UN Convention on the rights of the child:
“Every young person has the right to express their views, feelings and wishes in all matters affecting them and to have their views considered and taken seriously.”
Youth participation should be meaningful and inclusive of all young people.
There are many ways that young people can be involved in your organisation, what’s important is that the organisational structure and values enable young people to voluntarily participate.
Different aspects of youth participation:
Youth voice and influence – young people are provided with a safe space to share their experiences and influence strategy, policies and operational delivery.
Youth advocacy – young people are enabled to have a voice and to influence the issues which are important to them, be that social change or decisions about their own lives.
Youth governance – young people are empowered to make decisions and take action and are given opportunities to develop their leadership skills.
The NYA involves young people in many initiatives to ensure youth participation is fully embedded across all aspects of our work.
Youth Participation across the NYA
UK Youth Parliament
Established 25 years ago, the UK Youth Parliament is made up of more than 300 young people aged between 11 and 18 years, elected as Members of Youth Parliament (MYPs) to represent the views of their peers. It provides opportunities for young people to bring about social change through meaningful representation and campaigning.
UK Young Ambassadors
Our UK Young Ambassadors enable youth voice and influence in European and Commonwealth arenas. Managed by the National Youth Agency, they represent young people from across the UK in international policy spaces, forums, and institutions.
The group consists of four young leaders, with diverse lived experience, skills and interests. Together, they advocate for youth-led diplomacy, shape global policy, and support the development of the new National Youth Council for the UK.
YIF Young Assessors
We recruited and trained 17 Young Assessors to evaluate Youth Investment Fund (YIF) applications and decide where funds should be allocated.
The young people, aged between 16 and 24, came from a range of backgrounds, but all shared a passion for youth work and a desire to widen the opportunities for other young people across the country.
Youth Consultants
Our Youth Consultants fulfil a strategic youth governance function that supports the development of the NYA. Our Youth Consultants play a huge role in embedding youth voice and influence within the NYA and advocating for other young people across England.
The group consists of nine young people aged 16 – 25 with diverse lived experience, skills and perspectives. Together, they generate new ideas and support across our directorates to create meaningful outcomes.
Digital Directors
Our Digital Directors are enthusiastic and imaginative young people who are passionate about the world of digital youth work.
This exciting new programme supports the development of Digital Youth Work nationally and the Digital Directors work with other young people to inform the design, development and testing of new and exciting digital youth work opportunities.
Youth Advisory Group (National Youth Council)
NYA is working to restore the institution as the National Youth Council to become an independent, young people-led charity.
Between March – July 2025 the Youth Advisory Group, made up of young people from across the UK, has with been working collaboratively with the Expert Advisory Group to co-design a sustainable and inclusive infrastructure for the new Council.
Peer Review Young Reviewers
Four trained young reviewers helped form the team for our Peer Review initiative alongside a team of experts from NYA and the sector.
Young Reviewer role opportunities were shared on the NYA social media channels and website to kick start the recruitment process and we also re-engaged young people from the pilot to utilise their knowledge and experience. Young Reviewers were trained alongside adult colleagues.
How can NYA help you?
Hear by Right – Youth Participation Framework
Created with young people, for young people, our youth participation framework, Hear by Right, supports organisations to plan, develop and evaluate their participation practices to ensure youth voice remains front and centre.
This free self-assessment framework is relevant for anyone working with children and young people, in particular youth work leaders, to promote the involvement of children and young people in the policies and practices that impact on their lives.
Training and CPD
Free youth participation practice training is available via our CPD catalogue to support you to upskill staff.
For those organisations looking for more tailored support to develop your skills or help develop your service offer, please contact us via consultancy@nya.org.uk
