Improving the health of local democracies requires a renewed focus on engaging the young people in our communities. There is a lot that can be done including doing a better job of engaging youth in the issues they care about that are being dealt with around Council horseshoes in municipalities across Ontario. You are encouraged to take a look at AMO’s new civic education resources as well, an important component of youth engagement.
 
Through discussions at AMO’s Fall 2024 Healthy Democracy Forum and at AMO Conferences with AMO’s Youth Fellows, it is clear there is a shared interest among AMO’s members in having more young people voting in elections and being involved in local decision-making.
 
For those goals to be realized, young people have told us a few things that need to be acted on:

1. Democratic institutions and actors need to listen to young people.
2. The needs of young people need to be prioritized.
3. Democratic institutions, education partners, and elected officials must do a better job of demonstrating that local government is relevant to them and plays a role in addressing the issues young people care about.

Informed by a remarkable full-day session with youth and youth-focused organizations as well as additional research on voter turnout and youth motivation, this report provides actionable recommendations for how elected officials, municipalities, and public sector institutions can better engage youth in their communities.
 

 
Apathy is Boring’s expert and passionate team facilitated that session and prepared this report. The findings address the following priorities for improving the quality and authenticity of youth engagement:

1. When it comes to recruitment: do the work
2. Create and communicate the “Sandbox” for innovation
3. Incorporate feedback and be responsive to youth
4. Empower youth in decision making
5. Incorporate (culturally appropriate) mentorship opportunities for supplemental support
6. Prioritize anti-oppression training and tools
7. Reinforce the value of the skills, experience and power of young people

Explore these priorities, recommendations, and possible solutions and innovations you can use in your community to better engage through this youth engagement playbook.

The recommendations shared will require sector-wide collaboration and shared capacity. They must balance the urgent need to reach young people where they are with a long-term commitment to valuing and including them in democratic processes.