Co-Creating Our City: Youth and Decision-Makers Shaping Participation and Change
Co-Creating Our City brings together young people and local leaders as co-researchers and Citizen Scientists — doing research with the community, not on it. Together, young people and city leaders steer and conduct research on issues that matter to young residents, share knowledge and experiences, and develop realistic and feasible proposals for change. This collaborative approach offers cities ways to meaningfully involve young people in decision-making, empowers youth to have their voices heard, builds trust between generations, and supports cities in becoming more inclusive and youth-friendly.
Many cities recognize the value and enormous potential of involving young people in in local governance — yet meaningful engagement often remains out of reach. Traditional formats like youth councils or consultations can feel tokenistic, disconnected from real influence, or inaccessible to underrepresented youth. While many young people are eager to contribute, cities can struggle to tap into youth insights, missing vital opportunities for collaboration and more inclusive decision-making. In many cities, there is a mismatch between the opportunities for exchange and what young people seek as engagement to enact their ideas about vibrant communities.
Co-Creating Our City bridges this gap through participatory research and Citizen Science — a collaborative way that sees young people and decision-makers jointly conduct research, gather data, and design actionable solutions for local challenges. By combining lived experience with policy expertise, Co-Creating Our City projects spark dialogue, build trust, and embed youth perspectives in real and feasible decisions. This approach empowers young people and city leaders, strengthens participation and dialogue, and fosters civic skills and confidence – creating more inclusive, vibrant, and democratic communities.
The Co-Creating Our City toolkit supports cities, youth practitioners, community organizations, and researchers in running participatory projects that place young people at the heart of local decision-making. Drawing on the experiences from the pilot projects in Charlotte, NC, and Düsseldorf, Germany, it offers practical guidance, step-by-step instructions, and concrete resources to plan, implement, and strengthen your own Co-Creating Our City initiative.
The toolkit is structured into five modules:
- Making the Case for ‘Co-Creating Our City’ explains why these projects are essential, highlighting how they foster collaboration, strengthen youth participation, and create more inclusive communities.
- Setting Up Your Own Project provides guidance on goal-setting, planning, funding, and building strong teams and partnerships.
- Bringing Young People and City Leaders Together offers strategies to recruit and motivate co-researchers and design solutions that reflect young people’s perspectives.
- Doing Participatory Research guides users through participatory research methods, including ready-to-use materials and tips for overcoming challenges.
- Achieving Impact focuses on communicating findings to young people, communities, and city leaders, translating research into actionable policies and programs.
By providing both inspiration and practical tools, the Co-Creating Our City toolkit empowers local actors to bridge the gap between young people’s aspirations and city policies, strengthen democratic engagement, and create communities where young people are recognized as equal partners in shaping their urban environment. It transforms participatory research from a concept into actionable, impactful projects that benefit both young residents and their cities.