Keeping youth engaged and scaling up
Maintaining the interest and voluntary participation of the same group of youth over an extended period is a common challenge for any organisation. However, in addition to strategic collaboration with schools, our experience shows that fostering trusting and enriching relationships is essential to keeping young people engaged. By implementing the following strategies, we not only keep youth engaged throughout the project but also ensure a lasting impact that can extend to new audiences, strengthen community ties, and pave the way for replicability in other contexts. The following practical strategies help to build a community of dedicated and committed youth.
Active listening
Prioritise listening over talking. Young people are accustomed to lectures, but rarely have spaces to express their ideas, share opinions, reflect openly, and ask genuine questions. By dedicating time in your activities for them to speak and be heard, you show that their needs matter and that we value their perspectives. This creates a safe environment where they feel comfortable being themselves and addressing issues that are most relevant to them.
Taking youth opinions seriously
Respect and take into account their preferences and viewpoints, whether related to event logistics or more personal beliefs. While you might have a structured agenda, also remain flexible and adjust your plans based on their feedback, needs, and priorities. This adaptability ensures the activities stay relevant and engaging, and it shows that you value their input in shaping the direction of the project.
Encouraging ownership
By creating a space where youth feel heard, you allow them to take ownership of the project. They select the topics that interest them the most and suggest the types of activities they prefer (interactive games, lectures, guest speakers, field trips etc.). You work with them to set personal and group goals. This empowerment makes them feel like they are integral to the project’s success and motivates them to move it forward in ways that have a tangible impact.
Youth as multipliers
Youth participants become your best ambassadors. Their peers and other students notice the opportunities and activities you offer, and when they hear first-hand accounts of the experiences, many more are inspired to join. Younger students often look up to older ones and eagerly await the chance to participate. You can amplify this effect by allowing participants to share their experiences during school assemblies or announcements. As trust builds within the community, parents see the positive changes in their children and spread the word to other families. Schools also become more eager to collaborate, hearing about the project's positive impact and opportunities from other institutions. This creates a cycle of sustained engagement, allowing us to reach broader and more diverse groups of youth.