The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has become the first central government department to sign the Power of Youth Charter, committing itself to involve young people more directly in decisions about youth policy and programmes.
The charter, developed by the #iWill movement and backed by more than 400 organisations including NHS England and the Premier League, is intended to create meaningful opportunities for young people to influence decisions and drive change in their communities.
Youth and Civil Society Minister Stephanie Peacock signed the charter as part of the government’s work on the National Youth Strategy, Youth Matters, which involves a £500 million investment. The department said young people would continue to have a role from the start of programme design through to measurement and evaluation.
Under the commitments, DCMS will provide shadowing opportunities for young people within policy teams, involve them in relevant grant-making or recruitment panels, and invite them to speak at departmental events with ministers, staff and partners.
The department also said young people would be given opportunities to hold the government to account on Youth Matters through an Annual Hearing. The commitment follows a consultation with more than 14,000 young people during the creation of the National Youth Strategy.
The signing took place on Power of Youth Day, held annually during Volunteers’ Week. Stephanie Peacock was joined by #iWill co-chair Molly Taylor, representatives from Volunteering Matters and UK Youth, and #iWill ambassadors from across the country.