Today is Power of Youth Day, an annual celebration of the contribution children and young people make to society.
We are celebrating the day by encouraging more young people to get involved with decision making in the city and making sure their voice is heard.
Recently we have seen more young people getting involved with the council, through joining our Youth Council, and earlier this year hosting the first ever Youth Climate Assembly.
In January we also become the first council to sign up to a national campaign to give young people more say in decisions that affect their lives.
Importance of the youth voice
Councillor Hannah Clare, Chair of our Children, Young People and Skills Committee, said: “As a council we recognise the importance of involving young people and that’s why we signed up to the Power of Youth Charter, the first council in the country to do so.
“We’ve made a number of commitments allowing young people to have a say, for example in the funding of projects that matter to them like we have in our youth-led grant scheme, and continuing to involve the youth council and children in care council in our decision making.
“We’ve added an additional £25,0000 into this year’s council budget to improve the youth voice
“We are making progress but there’s always more that can be done. So to celebrate Power of Youth Day, I’d really love to hear from more young people about what matters to them and how they think we should change it.
“And if you really want to get involved, there are still spaces on Brighton & Hove Youth Council for people aged up to 19 or 25 if you have a special educational need.”
For more information on how you can get involved, visit our Youth Council webpage or email rob.scoble@brighton-hove.gov.uk.