These Guidelines were created to help young people and youth-led organisations turn reflection into meaningful, sustainable action. They are not instructions to follow step by step, but guiding lines - flexible directions designed to inspire confidence and adaptability. Their aim is to support youth in understanding their context, building relevant responses, and sustaining positive impact within their communities.
Developed jointly by the Erasmus Student Network (ESN) and the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) within the Voices of Change project, these guidelines reflect the shared commitment of both organisations to strengthen youth participation and resilience across Europe. They contribute directly to the project’s broader goals: ensuring durable and relevant impact for youth structures by enhancing their capacity to respond to evolving social needs and empowering volunteers to act effectively in their environments.
The content builds on the findings of three complementary project components: 1) Implementation of focus groups with volunteers on needs assessments, gathering youth perspectives on barriers, motivations, and enabling conditions for civic action; 2) Desk research identifying the main stages and effective practices of youth-led action across different contexts; and 3) Development of a mapping tool for reality assessment, offering practical ways to understand local challenges and opportunities.
These processes revealed that sustainable youth action begins with awareness and collaboration. The guidelines therefore, follow a step-by-step progression, from exploring realities to evaluating actions, combining practical methods, reflective questions, and adaptable tools. Each stage encourages learning by doing, inclusion of diverse voices, and building partnerships that strengthen the long-term relevance and preparedness of youth initiatives.
Beyond immediate activities, the Guidelines for Action Taking aim to nurture a culture of inclusion, social cohesion, and mutual support. They highlight the role of young people as change agents and peer supporters capable of bridging divides, addressing emerging societal challenges, and removing barriers to participation for underrepresented groups.
Ultimately, these guidelines are an open invitation to act with intention, inclusiveness, and care for sustainability. They provide a framework for collective learning and civic resilience, empowering youth and youth-led organisations to create lasting change in their communities and beyond.
Follow ESN