Accountability
and Youth Work
Why it matters
The majority of young people want to be involved in decisions that affect their lives/communities but many feel excluded. When information isn't clear, opportunities aren't shared equally, and adults don't follow through, young people start to lose trust. Stigma, lack of funding, and rigid systems make it even harder for young people to participate. Good accountability means young people feel valued, supported and heard when making meaningful change.
The issues
Young people across all nations identified gaps in accountability within youth work and organisations. These include unclear decision-making processes, limited access to resources, inconsistent communication, and a lack of meaningful follow-up actions.
Opportunities are often inaccessible or insufficiently advertised, resulting in the same young people being repeatedly involved while others remain excluded.
What young people said?
Young people across nations shared the same issues:
Need for flexibility
Lack of funding
Stigma
Not knowing where to access resources
Distrust in authority
Youth voice not valued
Opportunities not advertised – “same people, same issues”
Lack of empathy – decisionmakers
Young people also shared what helps:
Confidence building
Peer mentoring
Consultations that have a follow-through
More safe spaces
Youth councils
School ambassador roles
More support for organisations
What we want decision makers to do
- Make opportunities clear and accessible- advertise roles, councils and programmes widely so everyone can get involved.
- Be flexible and youth-friendly- adapting processes so young people can take part in ways that work for them.
- Provide or support proper funding- support youth organisations, safe spaces, and participation programmes.
- Show empathy and rebuild trust- listen without any judgement, value authentic youth voice, and explain decisions that are made clearly.
- Create more platforms for youth voice- youth councils, ambassador roles, peer mentoring, and cross-nation projects.
Action plan
Improve youthfriendly communication - make opportunities clear, simple, and widely advertised.
Create flexible participation options - online, inperson, dropins, creative formats.
Strengthen funding for youth spaces - support safe spaces, youth councils, mentoring.
Increase transparency and followthrough - “You Said / We Did” updates.
Expand youth voice platforms - councils, ambassadors, peer mentors, crossnation projects.
Contact
For more information contact: holly@youthaction.org
Funded by:
Supported by:
