How young people can join local decisions

Here's a strange fact about Africa: it's the youngest continent in the world, but many of its leaders are among the oldest.

The UN estimates the median age in Africa is under 20. Meanwhile, the average age of African heads of state has often been much older — several decades older than the people they govern. The gap between the age of leaders and citizens is one of the largest in the world.

But national presidents are only part of the picture. Many decisions that affect daily life — roads, drains, markets, schools, clinics, street lights, sports fields — are made locally: by municipal councils, mayors, neighbourhood chiefs, school boards and community associations.

These are places where young people can make a real difference.

How can young people take part in local decisions — and be taken seriously?

Why youth participation matters

• Better decisions: young people know what young people need — safe spaces, jobs, internet, sports, transport.
• Fairness: decisions affect young people for longer, so they should have a voice.
• Skills: participation teaches leadership, communication, negotiation and patience.
• Trust: when young people see their ideas used, they trust institutions more.
• Peace: exclusion and frustration can lead to unrest; participation builds hope.

The African Youth Charter, adopted by the African Union in 2006, recognises young people's right to participate in all spheres of society, including decision-making.

Africa has the youngest population in the world, with a median age under 20. (UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024) Yet young people are often under-represented in parliaments and local councils. (Inter-Parliamentary Union)

Joke break: A young man asked the chief why the youth weren't invited to the town meeting. The chief said, "Because the meeting is about the future." The young man said, "Exactly." The chief thought about it and moved the meeting to a bigger room.

Understand how local decisions are made

Before joining decisions, understand the system. In Benin, for example:

• The country is divided into departments and communes (municipalities), each with an elected municipal council and a mayor.
• Communes are further divided into arrondissements, villages and city neighbourhoods (quartiers de ville), each with local leaders (such as chefs de quartier or chefs de village).
• Municipal councils vote on local budgets and development plans.

Find out:

• Who is your councillor, mayor and neighbourhood chief?
• When are council meetings held? Are they public?
• What is your commune's development plan (Plan de Développement Communal)?
• How is the budget decided?

Tip: Many of these documents are public. Ask at the town hall.

8 ways young people can take part

Many council meetings and community meetings are open to the public. Go, listen and learn. Take notes.

• Attend public meetings

Some municipalities have youth councils (conseils communaux de la jeunesse) that advise local government. If yours doesn't, propose one.

• Join or create a youth council

Youth associations, student unions, sports clubs, religious youth groups and NGOs give young people a collective voice.

• Join associations

Some cities use participatory budgeting, where citizens help decide how part of the budget is spent. The idea started in Porto Alegre, Brazil, in 1989 and has been used in some African cities, including in Senegal, Cameroon and elsewhere.

• Participate in budget discussions

A clear, polite letter signed by many young people can get attention. Include the problem, evidence and a specific request.

• Write letters and petitions

Map problems, count, photograph and survey. Evidence makes proposals stronger. See Why local action needs good information.

• Use data and evidence

Local radio, WhatsApp groups and social media can raise awareness — but stay respectful and accurate.

• Use media and social media

Young people can stand for local elections. Even if you don't win, campaigning builds skills and visibility.

• Run for office (when eligible)

How to be taken seriously

Young people are sometimes dismissed as "too young" or "troublemakers." Here's how to earn respect:

• Be prepared: know the facts, the rules and the people.
• Be specific: "Install two street lights at the market corner" beats "Fix the city."
• Be constructive: bring solutions, not just complaints.
• Be respectful: politeness opens doors, even when you disagree.
• Be persistent: follow up. Decisions take time.
• Be collective: a group has more weight than one person.
• Be reliable: do what you promise.

"The youth of a nation are the trustees of posterity." — Benjamin Disraeli

A step-by-step example: getting a street light installed

Let's walk through an illustrative example.

Problem: A dark corner near a secondary school in Abomey-Calavi feels unsafe at night.

Step 1: Gather evidence Students count how many people pass the corner after 7 p.m. (e.g., 150 in one hour), take photos and collect stories (with permission).

Step 2: Find the decision-maker They learn that street lighting is managed by the commune.

Step 3: Build support They get support from the school director, parents' association and neighbourhood chief.

Step 4: Write a letter A one-page letter to the mayor: the problem, evidence, a clear request (two street lights), and an offer (students will help monitor and report outages).

Step 5: Follow up They request a meeting, attend a council session, and share progress on local radio.

Step 6: Result and thanks If the lights are installed, they publicly thank the commune. If not, they ask what's needed — maybe it goes into next year's budget.

See Simple steps towards safer public spaces.

Participation beyond politics

Local decisions happen in many places, not only town halls:

• Schools: student councils, school management committees.
• Religious communities: youth committees.
• Markets: market associations.
• Sports: club management.
• Water committees and health committees. See Clean water and the choices communities make.

Each is a chance to practise leadership.

Challenges and how to handle them

• "Adults don't listen." Find allies among adults — teachers, religious leaders, respected elders.
• "It's too slow." Celebrate small wins; keep records of progress.
• "It's political." Stay focused on community needs, not party politics.
• "We have no money." Many actions are free: meetings, letters, data collection, volunteering.
• "Girls are left out." Make sure young women have equal voice and safe participation.

Digital tools for participation

• WhatsApp groups to organise and share information.
• Online surveys (Google Forms) to collect youth opinions.
• Mapping tools to show problems.
• Social media to share results.
• Some governments offer online platforms for citizen feedback.

Use digital tools to include — not exclude — young people without smartphones.

An illustrative youth council

Imagine a commune in southern Benin (illustrative) that creates a youth council of 25 members aged 15–30, chosen from schools, associations and neighbourhoods. They meet monthly and present proposals to the municipal council twice a year.

In their first year, they:

• Surveyed 500 young people about their top concerns (jobs, sports spaces, internet access, street lighting).
• Proposed converting an abandoned plot into a sports field — the commune agreed to clear it.
• Organised a job fair with local businesses.
• Ran a clean-up campaign with 300 participants. See What it takes to keep a street clean together.

Not every proposal succeeded. But the youth council became a respected partner — and several members later ran for local office.

A sample letter to a local official

Here's a simple structure young people can adapt:

"To the Mayor of [commune], Subject: Request for two street lights near [school/market]

We are members of [group], young residents of [neighbourhood]. Over two weeks, we counted about 150 people using the path near [place] between 7 and 8 p.m., including many students. The area has no lighting, and several people have reported feeling unsafe.

We respectfully request the installation of two street lights at [location]. Our group is ready to help by monitoring the lights and reporting any problems.

We would be grateful for a meeting to discuss this request. Respectfully, [names, contacts, signatures]"

Short, polite, specific and backed by evidence. Keep a copy with the date it was received.

Joke break: One youth group's first letter to the town hall was seven pages long and included a poem. The mayor's secretary kindly suggested: "Next time, one page. Keep the poem for the celebration."

Your voice, your community

Young people aren't just "the leaders of tomorrow." They're citizens today. Local decisions shape your streets, schools and opportunities. Taking part — respectfully, persistently and with evidence — can change your community and build your own skills.

Start small: find out who your local councillor is. Attend one meeting. Bring one idea.

Keep reading: How to turn a conversation into a project, A day with a community organiser in Cotonou, and our Africa & Action section.

Questions

How can young people participate in local government?

Attend public meetings, join youth councils and associations, take part in budget discussions, write petitions, use evidence, and run for office when eligible.

What is participatory budgeting?

A process where citizens help decide how part of a public budget is spent. It began in Porto Alegre, Brazil, in 1989.

What is the African Youth Charter?

An African Union charter adopted in 2006 recognising the rights of young people, including participation in decision-making.