Placing children and young people at the heart of decision-making
Meaningful participation helps institutions make better decisions, improve outcomes for children and young people, and create lasting benefits for society.
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 equip 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
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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.
We help make participation part of how institutions govern.
Child and Youth Friendly Governance creates the conditions for children and young people to become trusted partners in decision-making. It brings together institutional leadership, organisational culture, safeguarding and practical systems, alongside support for children and young people to exercise their participation rights.
Our impact
Better decisions, better outcomes – for children and young people, institutions and society.
Since our founding in 2023, we have collaborated with:
Over 20,000 children and young people
across 100+ countries
Over 50 partner organisations
across six continents
Our work is for the good of…
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Meaningful participation strengthens confidence, agency, and skills in leadership, communication and problem-solving. It creates opportunities to exercise their rights, contribute their perspectives and see how their ideas are considered – and can influence decisions affecting their lives.
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Children and young people’s contributions help institutions develop policies, programmes, and services that better reflect their needs and lived realities. Well-designed participation can also strengthen accountability, safeguarding and trust.
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Participation builds opportunities for intergenerational dialogue, learning and collaboration. By recognising children and young people as contributors to public life, institutions can support more inclusive decision-making, civic engagement and social trust.
What our partners and participants say
Thank you to the Child and Youth Friendly Governance Project for your collaboration during our EU Presidency. All the children really enjoyed the preparatory work you did together. We deeply appreciate your expertise that enabled 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 your time in reflection and engagement in our community of early childhood professionals.
— Corine Ferguson,
Executive Director,
ARCQE, Canada
Our partners
Our work is made possible through collaboration with governments, international organisations, civil society, research institutions and funders. We are grateful to the partners and supporters who contribute their expertise, resources and commitment.
Institutional credentials
CYFGP holds a UN-wide service provider agreement and is included in the Non-Profit Builder roster.
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:
The Child and Youth Friendly Governance Project
Maison de la Paix
Chemin Eugène-Rigot 2
1202 Geneva, Switzerland
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