Placing children and young people at the heart of decision-making
Meaningful participation helps institutions make better decisions, strenghtens the agency and wellbeing of children and young people, and generates sustainable outcomes for children and young people, the institutions that work for and with them, and society at large.
Because better decisions begin by listening to those most affected.
The Child and Youth Friendly Governance Project
The Child and Youth Friendly Governance Project (CYFGP) is a Geneva-based global centre of expertise specialising in embedding meaningful child and youth participation into governance, policy and practice.
We empower institutions to involve children and young people safely and effectively, while supporting children and young people to develop the skills, confidence and opportunities to influence decisions affecting their lives – today and in the future.
Better decisions based on lived realities
Children and young people bring knowledge and lived experience that help institutions understand challenges and develop more relevant responses. Yet, despite their right to participate, they often have limited opportunities to influence decisions affecting their lives.
Many governments and organisations recognise the value of participation and are working to strengthen it. Making participation systematic, safe and influential requires leadership, resources, skills and practical mechanisms that connect children’s and young people’s contributions to decisions.
We help partners build these foundations and make meaningful participation a sustained part of institutional practice.
Children participate in the Better Internet for Kids consultations with CYFGP.
How we create change
Our work contributes to four interconnected areas of change
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Developing strategies, structures and working practices that embed participation into policies, programmes and institutional decisions.
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Equipping leaders and professionals to facilitate participation, and helping children and young people build the knowledge, skills and confidence to participate.
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Creating safe, inclusive spaces where children and young people share experiences, develop recommendations and engage directly with decision-makers.
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Gathering evidence on what enables meaningful participation and the difference it makes, helping partners improve policies and practices over time.
Our Impact
Our reach in numbers
Since its establishment in 2023, CYFGP has expanded its reach across countries, institutions and communities, helping bring children's and young people's perspectives into policy and decision-making processes.
21,000+
children and young people engaged
90+
countries reached
50+
established partnerships
What our partners and participants say
Thank you for your collaboration during our EU Presidency. All the children really enjoyed the work you did together. We deeply appreciate your expertise, enabling us to place children’s voices front and centre during our Presidency.
— LucÍa Lósoviz,
Director of Child Rights,
Ministry of Childhood and Adolescence, Spain
Thank you so much for this workshop; all the activities were really engaging and relevant. We learnt something new every time, with a team that was attentive to everyone’s needs!
— Youth participant,
Ta Voix Compte workshop, Switzerland
I want to express my gratitude for your diligent coordination throughout the process, particularly in your assistance to the children. Your efforts have been invaluable, and I truly appreciate your dedication.
— Manoah William, Programme Manager for Early Childhood Development Programme, BRAC International, Tanzania
Thank you for your outstanding contribution to our National Child Day conference. We have received such positive feedback about engagement in our community of early childhood professionals.
— Corine Ferguson,
Executive Director,
ARCQE, Canada
News
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![Cosmopolis interview with Leman Bleu Nov 2026]()
Cosmopolis interview: How CYFGP promotes participation in Geneva
Founder Louise Thivant and young people discuss participation on Léman Bleu.
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![HRH the Duke of Edinburgh with a group of senior representatives from international organizations, including CYFGP founder Louise Thivant.]()
Roundtable on Human Skills in the Age of AI
CYFGP participated in a roundtable with The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Foundation on what skills young people need.
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Me & AI - Children and young people's report
Children and young people’s views and recommendations for the future of AI.
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Happy International Day of Play 2026!
Video message from children and young people.
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Annual report 2025
The CYFGP’s Annual Report for 2025.
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Me & AI
Global survey for children on the impacts of AI.
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Child- & youth-friendly governance in a digitalised world
Panel discussion UNICEF and ITU.
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Ta voix compte - Your voice counts
Training of trainers for children and young people in Switzerland.
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AI and US
Child- and youth-led campaign for World Children’s Day 2025!
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Our Annual Report 2024
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From words to action: A groundbreaking toolkit to measure children’s rights
Interview with Roberta Ruggiero and Gerison Lansdown.
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Celebrating the International Day of Play
Children and young people’s video campaign calls for action on play.
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Welcoming our new Board and Child and Youth Advisory Board members!
We are happy to welcome two new Board members and five new CAYAB members.
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Survey for children and young people
Children and young people’s participation in global events.
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Consulting children on safe digital environments
Consultations with children on the European strategy for a better internet for kids (BIK+ strategy).
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Celebrating the International Youth Day
Call to action for more child and youth participation in shaping digital environments.
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Annual report 2023
Celebrating the achievements of our first year.
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Celebrating the International Day of Play
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Recognising role of play in enhancing learning
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Welcoming Kasper Ottosson Kanstrup as the new Chair of our Board
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The Power of Play
Children and young people’s Call to Action for a more playful future.
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Our Rights. Our Future. The Europe We Want.
Consultations with children ahead of the European elections in 2024.
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Our Board of Directors meets in Seville
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Children help shape the Spanish EU Presidency
New report highlights the priorities of children in Europe.
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Breaking Boundaries: International Day of the Girl Child
Article by Patricio Cuevas-Parra, Director of Child Participation and Child Rights, World Vision
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Why the micro is, in fact, mega: the mundane matters
Article by our Honorary Member, Professor Laura Lundy
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The sweltering summer of 2023 calls for empowering youth climate advocates
Article by Board Chair Anne Mette Friis
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Four crucial life skills we have learned through child participation
Article by the CFGP Child and Youth Advisory Board
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The transformative power of participation
Interview with Bruce Adamson, Former Children and Young People’s Commissioner of Scotland
Our donors
The positive change we help create for children and young people would not be possible without the generous contributions of our partners and donors.
We are grateful to all those listed below, as well as the many other institutions and individuals who have supported this work.
Partner with us
Help make meaningful participation a lasting part of decision-making.
Whether you want to strengthen institutional practice, develop a joint initiative or fund our work, we would welcome a conversation.
Together, we can build the systems, skills, opportunities and evidence that enable children and young people to influence decisions affecting their lives.
Collaborating with the Child and Youth Friendly Governance Project was an exceptionally productive and rewarding experience. Their methodological rigour and deep expertise in child rights-based governance enriched our research on the impact of youth participation in policymaking. The team’s structured approach to understanding the existing research and layering real work examples into a comprehensive report provided valuable insights and strengthened the validity of our work.
- Anne Day Leong,
Assistant Director,
Research, Evaluation, and Research Partnerships,
UNICEF USA
Get in touch to learn more: