Why Should Communities Involve Youth in Planning?

Young people have incredible excitement, eternal optimism, and a contagious spirit. They dream fearlessly. They are naturally inquisitive, inclusive, helpful to others, imaginative, and full of wonder.

We at YEP! believe that this potential has the power to positively shape the future of all of our communities, and thus we have made it our mission to encourage young people to learn, create, and participate in activating change in the world.

Engaging youth in local planning offers a number of benefits to the community and to young people themselves. These benefits include:

• Improved plans. The participation of young people provides local officials with perspectives and input that can improve plans, especially (but not only) with regard to the needs and issues most relevant to youth.

• Leadership opportunities. Participating in the planning process offers young people an opportunity to acquire new knowledge and skills, learn responsibility and accountability, and develop meaningful relationships with other youth and adults. It also gives youth the opportunity to identify and address issues or challenges that directly affect their lives.

• Citizenship and service. Involvement in local planning allows young people to better understand their local government and community, address community issues, and develop habits of participation and good citizenship.

• Better use of youth-serving resources. Better information about the needs and interests of young residents helps local agencies make the best use of financial and staff resources directed to youth programs and services.

• Introduction to careers in local government. Through their engagement, young people learn about local planning and related professions and positions and may consider careers in local government.

Source: Institute for Local Government