Youth Charter Empowers Young Voices in Government Decision-Making

Empowering Youth Through Government Initiatives

In a significant move to enhance youth engagement, the government has unveiled a new initiative aimed at allowing young individuals to actively partake in the design and evaluation of government programmes. Under the auspices of the Power of Youth Charter, young people will have the unique opportunity to shape how government projects are conceived and assessed from the outset. This initiative is part of a broader commitment to ensure that the voices of the youth are not only heard but also incorporated into key decision-making processes.

Youth and Civil Society Minister, Stephanie Peacock, has officially endorsed ‘The Power of Youth Charter’, ensuring that young people will maintain a vital role in the ongoing development of the £500 million National Youth Strategy, ‘Youth Matters’. This involvement ranges from participating in recruitment panels to influencing the design and assessment of youth programmes.

Collaboration with the #iWill Movement

The Power of Youth Charter has been developed in collaboration with the #iWill movement, which is supported by over 400 organisations, including NHS England and the Premier League. The charter commits its signatories to fostering substantial opportunities for young people to influence decisions and instigate positive change within their communities.

This initiative represents a significant step forward for the government in engaging young people, following an extensive consultation process that involved over 14,000 youths during the creation of the National Youth Strategy. The commitment to youth engagement is evident in the range of measures outlined by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

Key Commitments to Youth Engagement

Among the specific commitments made by DCMS are the provision of shadowing opportunities for young people within policy teams, aimed at demystifying the workings of the civil service. Additionally, young individuals will be given the chance to hold the government accountable for the National Youth Strategy during an Annual Hearing. Other initiatives include involving youth in grant-making and recruitment panels relevant to Youth Matters, as well as inviting them to share their experiences at DCMS events directly with Ministers and other stakeholders.

Minister Peacock emphasised the importance of these measures, stating, “The Power of Youth Charter demonstrates our commitment to ensuring that the voices of young people are heard at every stage of the decisions that shape their lives.” She noted that since the inception of the National Youth Strategy, young people have consistently expressed their need for genuine opportunities, spaces for connection, and a platform for their voices within government.

Celebrating Power of Youth Day

The signing of the charter coincided with Power of Youth Day, an annual event that takes place during Volunteers’ Week, which this year carries the theme of Common Ground. Minister Peacock was joined by #iWill co-chair Molly Taylor and representatives from various organisations within the #iWill movement, including Volunteering Matters and UK Youth. The occasion also featured #iWill ambassadors from across the nation, celebrating the collective efforts of young people.

Molly Taylor highlighted the significance of the charter, stating, “DCMS signing the Power of Youth Charter signals the importance of youth social action in building Common Ground amongst young people across the country.” She elaborated on the movement’s mission to empower young people through volunteering and activism, which has a transformative impact on communities nationwide.

A Landmark Initiative for Youth in England

The signing of the Power of Youth Charter builds upon the government’s landmark National Youth Strategy, ‘Youth Matters’, which was published in December 2025. This strategy marks the first comprehensive cross-government approach to youth policy in England in 15 years.

For further details, the signed DCMS Power of Youth Charter is available for review. The #iWill movement continues to champion social action as a vital component of life for young people, with initiatives currently underway in various cities including Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, County Durham, Nottingham, Bristol, Tower Hamlets, and Brighton & Hove.