Young People & Transition

Suggestions on engagement, presented by the Youth Caucus at the Transition Assembly

1. Be Clear About How Young People Can Get Involved

Young people may want to engage but ofen don’t know how. Generic calls for involvement aren’t as effective as clear, tangible invitations.

Actionable Steps:

●​ Instead of saying, “We need more young people,” say, “We need volunteers for this specifc project—here’s how you can help.”

●​ Use clear signposting: create posters, emails, or social media posts that specify roles,expectations, and next steps.

●​ Share success stories—show young people what others have done and how it made a diference.

2. Integrate Activism Into Daily Life

Many young people have fnancial and time constraints that make it difcult to participate in activism.

#### Actionable Steps:

●​ Partner with schools, universities, and workplaces to make engagement part of education or professional development.

●​ Ofer opportunities that ft around studies and work schedules (e.g., evening or weekend activities, short-term projects).

●​ Provide online participation options for those who can’t attend in person.

3. Provide Paid Opportunities for Young People

Financial barriers prevent many young people from getting involved in activism and community work.

Actionable Steps:

●​ Apply for funding to ofer stipends or expenses for volunteers.

●​ Create part-time, paid roles for young people within organisations.

●​ Direct young people towards employment through Vive and ofer opportunities that support employability.

●​ Recognise contributions through non-monetary rewards (certifcates, free training,mentorship).

4. Acknowledge the Interconnectedness of Issues

Young people are more likely to engage when they see how environmental and social issues are connected to their lives.

Actionable Steps:

●​ Frame environmental activism as part of broader struggles—housing, racial justice,fnancial security, mental health.

●​ Partner with diverse organisations to highlight these connections.

Make space for young people to discuss what issues matter most to them.

5. Engage Young People Through Conversations, Not Assumptions

Young people are just people. Diferent individuals and communities have diferent priorities, interests and motivations.

Actionable Steps:

●​ Actively ask young people what they care about instead of assuming.

●​ Conduct informal surveys or host listening sessions to understand their needs.

●​ Involve young people in decision-making rather than just consulting them.

6. Create Open and Accessible Spaces

Young people don’t need to be convinced to care—they need space to engage.

Actionable Steps:

●​ Ofer free or low-cost meeting spaces for young people to organise.

●​ Provide materials, mentorship, and resources, but let them take the lead.

●​ Remove unnecessary bureaucracy that might discourage participation.

7. Increase Land Access and Outdoor Engagement

Many young people lack access to natural spaces, making environmental engagement difficult.

Actionable Steps:

●​ Create partnerships with farms, community gardens, and landowners to provide free or affordable access.

●​ Organise outdoor activities like camping, nature walks, and permaculture training.

●​ Lobby for policies that make land more accessible for young people, for example,partnering with Land Workers Alliance, or Right to Roam groups.

8. Establish a Strong Online Presence & Visibility

If young people can’t fnd your organisation online, they probably won’t engage.

Actionable Steps:

●​ Maintain an active website or social media page that clearly explains what you do and how to get involved.

●​ Share updates, success stories, and event invitations regularly.

●​ Make sure young people can contact you easily via direct messages, email, or forms.

9. Balance Support from Older Generations Without Restricting Youth Leadership

Older activists have valuable experience to ofer but must avoid stifing young people’s approaches.

Actionable Steps:

●​ Provide mentorship without controlling the direction of youth-led initiatives.

●​ Encourage intergenerational collaboration rather than separation.

●​ Be open to new ideas and ways of organising.

●​ Learning can be reciprocal between generations.

10. Make Activism Fun, Social, and Community-Based

Many young people are drawn to activism through friendships and social connections.

Actionable Steps:

●​ Organise community-building events that aren’t just about work—social gatherings,music, food, creative activities.

●​ Make activism welcoming and enjoyable, rather than overly serious or draining.

●​ Encourage group projects where young people can work together with friends.

●​ Invite Transition-adjacent to join activities and to invite their friends.

11. The Role of Young People in the Transition Movement Young People Are Not Just “The Future”—We Are Here Now

Young people don’t have all the answers, and we don’t need to. We are not just ‘the future’—we are here right now, working alongside you to create solutions that beneft everyone. We’re just people who care about the same things as you.

Instead of asking, “What can young people bring to the table?” ask yourself:​

Why do you want us there?​

✅ How can young people roll up their sleeves and get involved in the work of transition?

Real Change Requires Intergenerational Collaboration

Change isn’t about one generation stepping aside for another—it’s about meeting in the middle, learning from each other, and co-creating something stronger together.

Intergenerational exchange isn’t a one-way street; it’s a conversation, a shared process of discovery. Too ofen, change is framed as something that happens in cycles—but real transformation happens when we recognise that our strengths are complementary.

Young people bring urgency, bold ideas, and a willingness to challenge the status quo.

Older generations bring wisdom, perspective, and resilience from lived experience.

When we truly listen—when we open ourselves to the insights of those who came before us and those who are coming —we don’t just see the world diferently. We shape it diferently.

True power is only ever collective—and the best ideas happen when we build them together.