The policy development process is set up in different ways in different municipalities and is often strictly regulated. However, if young people are to be engaged they also have to be invited to a dialogue on how the process as such should be designed and how their voices should be heard and taken into account.
In this dialogue, it is crucial to make clear the roles and mandates of young people and how the views of different groups of young people, e.g. organised and not organised young people, are to be taken into account.
The engagement of young people, as well as of other stakeholders, relies on that they know in advance what to expect regarding the process as such and in terms of influence. It is through meeting all stakeholders, their ideas and experiences, as resources that the best possible result will be obtained. This will also secure that the policy is well grounded and understood among all stakeholders concerned.
To what degree does our local youth work meet this bullet point?
Are there sides/aspects of it that are not reached?
Are there differences related to different activities?
Are there differences related to different groups of young people?
Are there differences related to different youth work providers?
Are there other differences? Related to what?
What different steps do we need to take in order to meet this bullet point?
Do we miss any knowledge that we need?
Do we need to take contact with stakeholders not present in our discussions?
Do we need to develop new competences, methods, work processes or organisational structures?
Can we find good practices or tools that might help us to improve this?
Do we have positive experiences from other areas of youth work that we can use also in this case?
Are there other organisations that we can contact and learn from regarding this?
Do we need to take other measures?
Do we have to revise our perspectives and/or priorities regarding youth work?
