Working to Embed and Champion Youth Voice in Infrastructure Organisations

This case study forms part of the youth employment infrastructure research and evaluation project carried out by RAND Europe in 2021–22 on behalf of the Youth Futures Foundation (YFF). It aims to understand: (i) how infrastructure organisations (IOs) support frontline organisations (FOs) through embedding youth voices in their own work and championing youth voices in interactions with other stakeholders; (ii) the challenges and facilitators involved; (iii) the impact this has on young people: and (iv) any lessons learnt.

This case study draws on interviews with three IOs (the Centre for Youth Impact, Ubele and UK Youth) and two interviews with organisations that support other organisations in embedding and championing youth voices (The British Youth Council [BYC] and Youth Employment UK [YEUK]). Data from interviews with policy makers from the Greater London Authority (GLA) and the Department for Education (DfE) that were used in Case Study 1 (on effecting change in policymaking) were also incorporated into the analysis. Interviewees were identified through the Youth Futures Foundation (YFF) and through previous research activities in this study. This case study also draws on a focus group discussion with representatives of the Future Voices Group of the Youth Futures Foundation.