
Young Voices
In Ireland the EU Youth Dialogue is delivered by NYCI through the Young Voices programme
By using dynamic and innovative approaches in our engagement with young people and those who work with them we fulfil the objectives of the EU Youth Dialogue.
Encouraging participation, promoting equal participation, including diverse voices, strengthening young peoples citizenship competences and sense of belonging and ultimately bringing about positive change.
What is Young Voices?
Young Voices is implemented by NYCI in partnership with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and the National Working Group on EU Youth Dialogue.
Young Voices is a programme that offers ongoing opportunities for young people from age sixteen to thirty years who have an interest in change making.
Within the flow of the 18 month cycle of the EU Presidency we work on thematic areas that are impacting on young people across the EU.
Our challenge is to explore the issues, consult as many young people as possible and ultimately to propose actions that might have a positive outcome for young people at EU and National level.

The mission of Young Voices
- To create a better future by empowering young people to influence decision making.
- To develop connections between young people, communities and decision makers.
- To connect, empower, represent, change and make a difference!

How does it work?
Young Voices has a very dynamic approach to how it engages with young people.
We organise events, arrange meetings, deliver presentations, offer outreach and make submissions to decision makers through national structures within the Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures National Policy framework for children and young people (BOBF).
We send delegates to the EU Youth Conference where our ideas, experiences and analysis are combined with young people from across the EU to influence policy at European level.
We offer online consultations, we facilitate workshops and dialogue with policy makers, we host international seminars, deliver residential training courses and send delegates to national and European events.
Click on the image above to see our Prezi explaining how Young Voices works
What has it achieved?
Check out the publications section to see the wide variety of outcomes that have been delivered through the work of Young Voices.
Here you will find many consultations with young people developed as part of the EU Youth Dialogue – Young Voices process.
Watch the video to see what some of the Young People involved in Young Voices think!
Support to engage in Consultation:
Connecting EU with Youth
Young Voices – EU Youth Dialogue Consultation
Young Voices EU Youth Dialogue consultation – check out training and events and sign up for the next consultation event. Young people and youth workers welcome. Contact youngvoices@nyci.ie for queries.
The theme of this cycle is EU Youth Goal #1 Connecting EU with Youth. Background: An increasing number of young people lack trust in the EU, encounter difficulties in understanding its principles, values, and functioning. Democratic deficits in EU processes have also been identified as one of the reasons for rising euroscepticism among young people. Consultation: The ambition is to foster the sense of youth belonging to the European project and build a bridge between the EU and young people to regain trust and increase participation.
Support for Youth Workers/Leaders
Youth Participation Tool
New Tool for Youth Empowerment & Youth Participation!
Young Voices – EU Youth Dialogue virtual showcase
A Gallery to celebrate the magnificent work of Young Voices and its contribution to positive change in Ireland and the EU
Videos
Creating Opportunities for Youth – National Youth Council of Ireland
Moving Rural Youth Forward: Young Voices – EU Youth Dialogue consultation on Opportunities for Youth
This video captures some of the ideas from young people on moving rural youth forward. It was part of a consultation with young people in Ireland on Opportunities for Youth through the Young Voices – EU Youth Dialogue process. See the full report from the consultation here Creating Opportunities for Youth – National Youth Council of Ireland.
What is Young Voices – EU Youth Dialogue: Young Voices is a programme that offers ongoing opportunities for young people from age sixteen to thirty years who have an interest in change making.
Within the flow of the 18 month cycle of the EU Presidency we work on thematic areas that are impacting on young people across the EU. Our challenge is to explore the issues, consult as many young people as possible and ultimately to propose actions that might have a positive outcome for young people at EU and National level.
Young people taking part in Young Voices – EU Youth Dialogue on the importance of the Youth Voice and taking part in the Young Voices – EU Youth Dialogue process. The event was part of a consultation with young people in Ireland on Opportunities for Youth through the Young Voices – EU Youth Dialogue process. See the full report from the consultation here.
I Feel I Have Been Heard: Young Voices – EU Youth Dialogue consultation on Opportunities for Youth
I have a Voice
Young Voices on Diversity and Inclusion