Children and young people are often the focus of policies, guidelines, and educational programmes. Yet, rarely are they truly involved in shaping them. Involving children every step of the way ensures that decisions that directly impact their lives are made with their active participation. The challenge lies in creating genuine and sustained opportunities for children. It is crucial for children to co-create, influence, and take ownership of the processes that affect their well-being.
As part of Philea’s peer-learning journey “How to Involve Children and Youth in Your Work”, the Learning for Well-being Foundation and Eurochild joined forces. They co-created a child-friendly version of the European Commission’s Guidelines on Mental Health and Well-being at School. This collaboration offered a practical example of how to involve children in policy and decision-making at every stage.
Working closely with members of the Eurochild Children’s Council, the project transformed complex policy language into something accessible. It became engaging and meaningful for children aged 13–17. Beyond translation, the process encouraged creativity, reflection, and shared ownership. This ensured the final document truly reflected the voices and experiences of young people. The guidelines will support educators and policy-makers in building inclusive learning environments. These environments promote well-being, equity, and diversity.
The seventh module, “How to Involve Children Every Step on the Way”, took place on 16 September 2025. It featured the Learning for Well-being Foundation and Eurochild. The session explored how the collaboration worked in practice. Participants shared key insights for organisations seeking to embed meaningful youth participation in their work.
Key recommendations:
- Listen to young people with your heart, hands, and head, and truly value their perspectives.
- Let them lead the process and own their contributions.
- Respect and act upon their ideas with transparency and accountability.
Watch the full session recording here.
