Understanding youth participation in local government: a qualitative study [E/NI/S/W]
Presents findings from a National Centre for Social Research study, commissioned by the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, about the views and behaviour of young people aged 16-25, in relation to local government and politics.
The aim of the study was to investigate the reasons why young people are not participating in local government and to consider what could be done to increase their participation.
The research involved interviews and group discussions with a total of 94 young people.
Evidence from the report confirms that although young people are interested and concerned about a number of issues, these are not perceived as relating to the national or local political agenda. A lack of understanding about the way in which local government works and disillusion with politicians and the democratic process were also identified as reasons for young people’s lack of interest and participation in local government.
The report notes that participation can have a beneficial impact for young people, their local authority and the local community. It makes a number of key recommendations based on the suggestions of the young people who participated in the research. These include:
- Informing young people about politics
- Making politicians more representative and accountable to young people
- Creating more opportunities for young people to participate in the political process
Finally the report notes that it is likely to be many years before there will be measurable impacts of the range of initiatives taken to encourage participation.
Published April, 2002. Click on top right of page to access report
