Learn how to engage youth and children in community consultation for your community organizing projects. Find out why it is important, and what are the best tips and strategies to make it effective, enjoyable, and impactful.

Depending on the age group, a good solid creep of their social media before engaging could make the difference in connecting. Think about their social icons - music, dance, language - and reflect that in your work. Research what matters - and weave those commitments to the social causes that matter to them into your engagement. Be present, authentic and curious - and make sure your sense of humour is intact.

How can you engage youth and children in community consultation?

Community consultation is a vital part of any community organizing project, as it allows you to understand the needs, interests, and perspectives of the people you are working with. However, engaging youth and children in community consultation can be challenging, as they may have different ways of expressing themselves, participating, and learning than adults. In this article, you will learn some tips and strategies on how to engage youth and children in community consultation, and why it is important to do so.

1 Why involve youth and children?

Youth and children are not only the future of the community, but also active members of the present. They have valuable insights, experiences, and ideas that can contribute to the development and improvement of the community. By involving them in community consultation, you are acknowledging their rights, empowering their voices, and fostering their sense of belonging and responsibility. You are also creating opportunities for intergenerational learning, collaboration, and mutual respect.

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Tracy Weston, Ed.S.

Certified Mental Health Christian Counselor; Co-founder of Noah's Ark Preschool Academy of Terrell, Inc.; Noah's Rainbow Academy; Author; Minister; Public Speaking; Special Education General Education, Consultative
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Community consultation allows the youth and children in the community to have a voice at the table. Many times adults make decisions in regard to activities and community projects without including a vital group within the society. Children have innovative ideas and input that can lead to more youth participating in community projects. Consultation will allow our children the opportunity to become problem solvers, decision-makers, and community advocates for the youth. By actively involving the youth in a community, society allows them to have an opinion and an opportunity to express themselves.

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Michelle Golding Hylton
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Youths are our future, therefore it is critical that you engage them through their various youth organizations to sit at the table from the development of concepts, ideas, and strategies so they can help in planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of any project that affect their schools,community and country. Once they are part of the process it make it easier for all stakeholders to work together harmoniously.

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2 How to prepare for consultation?

Before you start the consultation process, you need to do some preparation work to ensure that it is relevant, appropriate, and meaningful for youth and children. To begin with, it is important to define the purpose and scope of the consultation, as well as identify and recruit the participants. Additionally, you should consider which methods and tools will be used to collect and analyze the data from the consultation. It is also important to ensure diversity and inclusion in your sample, obtain consent from parents or guardians, inform them about the consultation process and goals, make the methods and tools engaging, accessible, and fun for youth and children, and adapt them to different ages, abilities, and preferences.

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3 How to conduct the consultation?

During the consultation process, it is important to create a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for youth and children to share their views and opinions. To do this, you should introduce yourself and explain the purpose of the consultation, as well as the rules and expectations. You can also use icebreakers, games, or warm-ups to break the ice and build rapport. Additionally, use open-ended questions, prompts, and probes to encourage participation and dialogue. Listen actively and attentively, acknowledge their contributions, and provide positive reinforcement and feedback. Facilitate learning and reflection by providing opportunities for youth and children to learn from each other and from other sources of information. Use visual aids, stories, or examples to illustrate concepts or ideas. Finally, ask them to reflect on what they have learned, and how they can apply it to their own lives or situations.

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Yvonne Thevenot (she/her)

Change Management | Mentoring | Strategy Development & Implementation
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There is a tremendous need to conduct the consultation in the language and culture that youth and children have adopted. What is current and meaningful changes rapidly so today's emoji and acronym for engagement, is tomorrow's solicitation for an eye-roll and dismissal.

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4 How to follow up on the consultation?

After the consultation process, it is important to follow up on the results and feedback, and show appreciation and recognition for the participants. You should analyze and report the data by organizing, synthesizing, and interpreting it, as well as identifying the main themes, findings, and recommendations. Prepare a report that summarizes and presents the data in a clear and concise way, using quotes, images, or videos to highlight the voices of youth and children. Share the report with the participants for their feedback and validation, as well as with other stakeholders such as community members, partners, or funders. Explain how the report will inform your decision-making and actions, as well as what are the next steps or follow-ups. Additionally, thank the participants for their time, effort, and input. Provide them with incentives, rewards, or certificates to acknowledge their participation. Invite them to join or lead other community organizing activities or initiatives. Engaging youth and children in community consultation is not only a good practice but also a rewarding and enriching experience; thus, by following these tips and strategies you can make it more effective, enjoyable, and impactful for both you and the participants.

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Yvonne Thevenot (she/her)

Change Management | Mentoring | Strategy Development & Implementation
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The report should reflect the nature of their engagement. If you have asked for input on a digital app, don't send them an envelope in the mail with a thank you card and the findings. Meet them where they are, in the language they understand, in the channel that suits the interaction.

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5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Yvonne Thevenot (she/her)

Change Management | Mentoring | Strategy Development & Implementation
Report contribution
Depending on the age group, a good solid creep of their social media before engaging could make the difference in connecting. Think about their social icons - music, dance, language - and reflect that in your work. Research what matters - and weave those commitments to the social causes that matter to them into your engagement. Be present, authentic and curious - and make sure your sense of humour is intact.

Like

How can you engage youth and children in community consultation?

1

2

3

4

5

1 Why involve youth and children?

2 How to prepare for consultation?

3 How to conduct the consultation?

4 How to follow up on the consultation?

5 Here’s what else to consider

Community Organizing

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How can you engage youth and children in community consultation?

1

2

3

4

5

1 Why involve youth and children?

2 How to prepare for consultation?

3 How to conduct the consultation?

4 How to follow up on the consultation?

5 Here’s what else to consider

Community Organizing

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