Youth Hands! Youth Voices!
Youth Policy Engagement Through Local Action Projects, A toolkit for youth organizers
This manual looks at youth engagement in policy making at the local level.
Its focus is on community action projects and how youth get involved in planning and policy change through their work to do things like plan a skate board park, clean up a local stream, or create a community garden. It explains how local action projects link to policy making, highlights stories of youth led community initiatives in British Columbia, explains how local government works, and provides tools and resources that help to find a point of access for issues or activities and how to move them forward.
The manual is designed for youth, youth organizations, and organizations that work with youth who want to learn more about how local government works, and how they can work with their local government to affect local decision making. The manual will also be of value to municipal decision makers looking for possible opportunities to engage youth in decision making in a way that is congruent with their formal processes and parameters, but also in a way that resonates with youth.
Contents
- Youth Voices in our Communities, How are they heard, Why is it beneficial?
- Stories about Youth Action Projects and Policy Change
- Your Government: How does it work?
- Tools and Resources
- Where do I start?
- Tips for Working with Local Government,
- Writing Good Briefing Notes,
- Making a Presentation,
- Tools For Making Your Case,
- Building and Showing Support for Your Initiative- Letters, Petitions, Partnership and Coalition Building,
- Building Engagement in Your Initiative-Community Mapping, Design Charettes