Getting young people involved in activities renews community activities and regional development. It also gives young people experiences that they are valuable, that their own opinions matter, and that they can influence their own environment.
We want to encourage various organizations, such as associations and clubs, to involve young people in activities and let young people have an impact. We have put together five ideas on how to involve young people. Association operators as well as young volunteers and entrepreneurs who are already involved in activities can vote on this page. The possibilities and different ways to participate and get involved are endless!
The ideas and videos collected on this page are part of the Participating Youth 2.0 project.
Explore the ideas, get inspired and pick the ones that suit you!
Are you wondering how to get young people involved in activities? Watch the video for tips from experienced association leaders.
What kind of activity are you interested in? Association activities, a club activity or even entrepreneurship – feel free to try different options!
Give young people the opportunity to take responsibility and implement their own projects or areas of the association's activities. This gives young people a sense of meaningful participation and encourages them to commit to the association's activities in the longer term. Ask young people directly what kind of activities they want to participate in. Young people are best able to answer this themselves. Carry out the survey traditionally or even electronically, using Forms, Google Forms or Mentimeter. You can raffle off a prize among all those who respond, e.g. gift cards always work.
The village of Hirvijärvi received Sparring help from Liiver to involve young people. Together, a survey was carried out for the young people in the village.
– The survey provided answers to what young people want. The answers can be used in the future when planning activities for children and young people. The positive thing about the responses was that many people said they were interested in participating and organizing. Before the survey, we only guessed what young people wanted. The survey gave us confidence in what to do, and after that, the football camp and movie night they wanted were organized for the young people, says the chairman of the Hirvijärvi-Komsi village association. Mari Mäki-Karvia.
What do young people and young volunteers mean to the Seinäjoki Live Music Association and the region more broadly? How would the association's activities be attractive to young people?
Source: Citizens' Arena
If you can get the attention of young people, you are already a long way. Use channels in communication that reach young people effectively. Ask the young people on which channels they would like information about the association's activities. Take advantage of social media, create an attractive website and use visual content such as images and videos. Young people are often interested in fast and visual communication, so keep the communication dynamic and easy to digest. Also inspire young people to participate in communication and give them a free hand to do things.
You can find communication tips and much more in the Citizens' Arena Youth Volunteering Handbook, which is also available volunteer specialist Veera Henriksson recommends it for use in reaching young people.
In Ylistaro, it was felt that villages need a youth perspective and communication from a youth perspective. It was unanimously agreed that a common summer social media manager is needed to increase Ylistaro's visibility.
Worked as a summer social worker Matilda Latvala brought new visibility to the villages' communications and attracted both locals and tourists to explore the area's offerings. At the same time, he gained valuable work experience, developed his skills, and built the vitality of the villages.
"It is worth telling young people about things openly, as it often lowers the threshold for them to join in the activity. For example, tell them how the activity will be implemented, if there are meetings, what happens in them. It would be good to tell them what is required to participate in the activity (e.g. what skills are useful, how much time does it take, etc.), and tell them if, for example, there is any compensation for participating or if the activity provides access to interesting opportunities (e.g. study trips, acquaintances, etc.) Young people also often join the activity more easily if a friend also joins. This could be taken into account by allowing a friend to register for the activity at the same time as themselves, etc."
Member of the youth section of Liiveri
Do you have a great idea, but not enough people to implement it? Local youth activities, clubs or associations can plan things for young people at the same time, and collaboration often creates the best implementations. For example, invite different associations to hold workshops at your spring day - this way the participants can get to know other activities. Also include young people in the planning!
Liiveri, the South Ostrobothnia EU Information Centre and local youth centres will collaborate to organise the "Set the Table for Decision-makers" events in 2023 and 2024 in Jalasjärvi, Nurmo and Ilmajoki.
At the events, young people spent the evening playing games, enjoying pizza and chatting with municipal decision-makers. The idea was to exchange information both ways: young people could talk to decision-makers about issues that concerned them, and decision-makers could talk about decision-making. Decision-makers at the events were represented by mayors, directors of various sectors, and members of the municipal government and council.
– It is easier to implement new types of events when tasks can be divided among several organizers, comments the Participating Youth 2.0 project Sanna Pihlaja.
When young people are given the opportunity to carry out their own project, the end result can be this amazing! Ilmajoki Youth Council Eero-Pekka Hautamäki and Lauri Pentinmäki tell in a video about the implementation of the Ilmajoki outdoor gym. The project was carried out in collaboration between the Ilmajoki Kisailijoti, the youth council and the municipality.
“This was the first big project for both of us and yes, the journey had its challenges. … Now this is finally here!”
Trust that young people will enjoy participating in a relaxed environment. Organize events and meetings with a low threshold for joining. Communicate opportunities openly and actively and encourage young people to participate. Avoid excessive bureaucracy and encourage open interaction. The atmosphere of the association should be welcoming and friendly.
“What definitely surprised me about the association’s activities was how close-knit this community is, but yet how incredibly easy it is to join this community,” says a volunteer from Selmu. Susanna Savonen.
"We involve young people in everything, so we don't currently have a youth group. Young people run the Teddy Bear Hospital, we cooperate with the flea market, we run a language café...", lists the chairman of the Seinäjoki branch of the Swedish Red Cross. Katja Palkoma.
Young people tell us what they have received volunteering
Choose themes and projects for your activities with young people that are related to their interests and future challenges. For example, Leader, Youth Leader or Erasmus+ funding can provide a suitable incentive to plan a joint project with young people. Leader funding is also suitable for young entrepreneurs. The task of adults is to support and encourage – and give wings to young people's ideas!
Helmi Viirimäki and Fiia in Joy is a joint 4H company, Wohvelikahvila. Youth Leader funding helped them with the initial steps of entrepreneurship.
The young people at Nurmo Youth Farm Kenu have implemented several Youth Leader projects that have increased the comfort of the farm.
The young people of Sedu Ilmajoki implemented the purchase of a billiard table as a Youth Leader project, which brought a new hobby opportunity to the community and at the same time taught the young people project management and responsibility.
The Migration Museum activates young people in the museum's activities through various projects and events. "Young people bring a new perspective to our activities, new ways of working and therefore renew our activities," says the executive director. Paula Vannesluoma.
Eero Välkkilän The company, ESV Motors, provides small engine maintenance and car repairs, e-commerce, and freestyle demonstrations at motocross events. The story inspires young people to take a step towards their own dreams.
Take advantage of Liiver's tips and opportunities to get young people involved.