Here you will find a collection of national and organisational frameworks and guidance that set out principles, structures and processes for involving children in a consistent and meaningful way. Together, these documents provide foundations and inspiration that can help services and authorities work more systematically with children’s viewpoints.
Ireland, 2021
Aims to support departments, agencies and organisations in supporting youung people in their ability to influence decisions. It emphasises collective decisions-making that impacts children as a group as well as individual participation in decision-making
Australia, 2022
Provides a framework for government agencies, child protection and family support services, health and education departments, policy and planning at system level. How can we give children and young people genuine opportunities to participate in and influencing decision-making?
Australia, 2022
Provides a framework to guide all spheres of government, civil society and different sectors to ptomote the meaningful participation of children, and to ensure better levels of participation of children across all settings.
Australia, 2015
This guide aims to provide organisations, both government and non-government, with guidelines and associated practical activities to involve children under the age of 12 years in decision-making within their services.
2023
The aim of this guidance document is national authorities of Council of Europe member states to provide them with the possible or necessary ‘ingreditents’ for effective child participation strategies within a national children’s participation strategy of within a children’s rights strategy.
2022
Aims to guide govenments and partners in making children’s rights areality across Europe. Emphasises a shared vision and common goals among member states. Developed as part of the Council of Europe’s broader mission to uphold human rights and democracy.
2022
Legal frameworks from EU applicable to child friendly justice and initiatives for any legal practitioner, judge, public prosecutor, child protection authority, social worker, probation officer, and organisation working with children. The framework will allow practitioners working with children to assist them in their decision-making processes.
2020
This handbook supports professionals in meaningfully involving children in decision-making, especially those in vulnerable situations. Developed by the Council of Europe with input children, and offers pracitcal tools for use in schools, social services, healthcare, and legal settings.
Scotland, 2019
Principles and guidelines for organisations who engage or plan to engage children and young people in projects and decision-making processes, as well as practices of wider policymakers and practitioners.
Finland 2024
LINKEN ER DØD HER !!!
Adopted by government resolution and based on the Youth Act, the Programme sets national youth policy objectives and outlines cross-sectoral measures to improve the wellbeing of young people. It guides youth work priorities, national centres of excellence, and Finland’s international youth sector goals.
Ireland, 2023
The central aim of this Policy Framework is to provide a platform to realise the rights of children and young people in Ireland, so that all partners can work effectively together to ensure children and young people can thrive. The Policy Framework will re-establish governance structures to drive policy development and implementation, while demonstrating accountability for children and young people’s policy. Denne teksten er for lang, ja !
Estonia, 2021
Developed with youth, experts and stakeholders, the plan sets long-term goals for youth work and integrated youth policy for ages 7-26, aligned with the Estonia 2035 strategy. It is grounded in international standards and research, recognising youth participation as essential for a cohesive society.
2023
The framework was developed to answer a request from WHO pan-European Coalition members that young people be actively engaged in activities undertaken by WHO which impact young people’s mental health and well-being across the European Region, whether it be policy or guidance development, research or progamming. Young Coalition members initiated development of the framework to ensure that the active participation of young people was carried out in a way that was consistent, meaningful and underpinned by that young people want and BLABLABLA
We welcome contributions that can strengthen how children are involved in decision-making.
This can include frameworks, guidance, tools, research, reports, or examples of practice.
If you are working on something relevant – or know of something that should be included – we would like to hear from you.
All submissions are reviewed before being published.
Please ensure that what you share is respectful and that you have permission to share any content, especially when it involves children.
