LISTEN: Five principles to strengthen youth participation

As part of the Interreg North Sea project LISTEN, partners from France, Denmark and Sweden co-developed an operational manual entitled Youth Participation: 5 Principles for Local and Regional Action. This collaborative work took place between November 2023 and April 2025.

The project aimed to strengthen the involvement of children and young people in local public life. Partners shared their experiences and identified numerous good practices from their respective territories.

The manual outlines five concrete principles for local authorities and youth organisations:

• Evaluate and keep well-informed,

• Build trust and legitimacy,

• Provide support for initiatives,

• Foster coordination and coherence,

• Facilitate and encourage dialogue.

Each principle is supported by inspiring examples that can easily be adapted to different contexts.

This document targets municipalities, regions and all stakeholders committed to fostering a more structured and inclusive approach to youth participation.

The manual is available in French and English.