Learn to Participate Programme

Through this programme, we train young people in the skills they need to influence decision-making. Through improving their ability to speak up, articulate their own opinions, work with other young people and adults, and plan their own projects, young people gain the confidence to positively contribute to their community and to influence the decisions that affect their lives.

At the end of this intensive programme, you can expect:

• Increased user involvement from a more diverse group of young people
• Increased participation from young people in organisational decision-making
• Improved projects, programmes and services as a result of increased user involvement
• Improved collaboration between young people and youth workers
• Increased self-confidence amongst regular young participants in the programme

How the programme works: We run this programme with between five and fifteen young people over a series of weekly sessions for a minimum of three months. During the initial sessions we explore issues concerning youth participation such as:

• What is my community and how can I contribute to it?
• What are my rights as a young person?
• What power do I have to make things happen?

We then help the group of young people plan and implement their own activity or event, coaching them in the knowledge and skills they need to make it a success. The programme finishes with young people developing their own plan for continuing to influence local decision-making, a thorough evaluation and a graduation ceremony.

To learn more about this programme and how it could be adapted for your young people, please email us at
ypp@ica-uk.org.uk.

Read a case study from this programme.

Youth as Facilitative Leaders Programme

Download the “Youth as Facilitative Leaders fact-sheet in pdf”

Through this programme, we train young people how to facilitate their own meetings, planning sessions, activities and conferences. Young participants learn effective methods for working with groups that are valued in the workplace. Instead of playing traditional, top-down leadership roles in their groups, young people learn how to encourage others to speak up and contribute to decision-making.

At the end of this training programme, you can expect:

• A core group of young people with the confidence and skills to facilitate meetings and activities
• Increased user involvement from other young people, encouraged to contribute by their peers
• Young people with increased confidence to contribute to critical organisational decisions.

How the programme works: We train between 12 and 15 young people in our ToP facilitation methods over a series of weekly sessions or through an intensive two-day course.

Participants learn how to facilitate conversations, workshops and project planning sessions, and have the opportunity to practice their new skills during the course. At the end of the training, young people have the skills and confidence to facilitate effectively within their group or at local and national events and conferences.

For more information on how your young people could gain these valuable leadership skills, please email us at
ypp@ica-uk.org.uk.