Let´s start with the children!

Purpose and goal:

The pilot has tried to create promotion systems through an arena where we use society´s resources, knowledge, experiences, where children and young people actively contribute. Structures are needed so that children and young people can be active co-creators of society. The pilot has developed conditions for participation for children and young people, challenged municipal decision-making processes and planning horizons with support of leaders and local politicians.

Expected results and effects:

The importance of starting from the location´s conditions for building promotion systems has been reinforced. Positive relationships, both between children and adults, but also between peers, are highlighted as one of the most important prerequisites for well-being.

A success factor is that children and young people, but also civil society actors, private actors and key people in the municipality are given the opportunity to create change.

A prerequisite for similar work to change national policy is that a an arena exists where experience is gathered and recommendations are drawn up Approach and implementation:

The arena has created increased awareness of the positive effects of the promotional work on children and young people. The diversity of places in terms of history, culture and conditions underlines the need for adaptation of, among other things, knowledge support from national actors, but they can above all give mandates to the local environments by drawing attention to initiatives that are being made.

The work´s focus on opportunities has also inspired the participating the actors to look for opportunities for development rather than focusing on problems and shortcomings.