- Charter will give young people the opportunity to shape how
Government programmes are designed and measured from the start.
- Charter will commit to young people having opportunities to
hold the government to account on its National Youth
Strategy through an Annual Hearing.
Youth and Civil Society Minister has signed ‘The Power of
Youth Charter', meaning young people will continue their direct
role in shaping
the £500 million investment in National Youth Strategy ‘Youth
Matters', from sitting on recruitment panels to influencing how
youth programmes are designed and evaluated.
Developed by the #iWill movement and backed by more than 400
organisations including NHS England and the Premier League, the
Power of Youth Charter commits signatories to creating meaningful
opportunities for young people to influence decisions and drive
positive change in their communities.
The commitment is the next step in the government's engagement of
young people in its work following a major consultation with over
14,000 young people for the creation of the National Youth
Strategy.
As part of its commitments, DCMS
will:
- Provide shadowing opportunities for young people within DCMS
policy teams to demystify the civil service and its processes
- Give young people opportunities to hold the Government to
account on the National Youth Strategy: Youth Matters through an
Annual Hearing
- Involve young people in grant-making or recruitment panels
that relate to Youth Matters
- Invite young people to speak at DCMS events so they can share
their experiences directly with Ministers, staff and other
partners
Minister for Sport, Tourism, Civil Society and Youth
said:
The Power of Youth Charter demonstrates our commitment to making
sure the voices of young people are heard at every stage of the
decisions that shape their lives.
Since we began developing the National Youth Strategy, young
people have told us clearly what they need: real opportunities,
spaces to connect with each other and trusted adults, and their
voices heard in government.
We're taking the steps by investing in grassroots sport, and
community spaces but we know they need to have a voice in the
room where it happens. This charter gives young people that voice
The signing takes place on Power of Youth Day, held annually
during Volunteers' Week, which this year is themed Common Ground.
Minister Peacock was joined at the signing by #iWill co-chair
Molly Taylor alongside representatives from the #iWill movement
including Volunteering Matters and UK Youth. The event also
brought together #iWill ambassadors from across the country to
mark Power of Youth Day.
#iWill co-chair, Molly Taylor said:
DCMS signing the Power of Youth Charter signals the importance of
youth social action in building Common Ground amongst young
people across the country.
We see this in our work supporting young people to build towns
and cities of youth social action, where youth power through
volunteering and activism changes communities every day.
The Power of Youth charter signing builds on the Government's
landmark National Youth Strategy, Youth Matters, published in
December 2025 the first cross-government youth strategy for
England in 15 years.
ENDS
- Power of Youth Day is held annually during Volunteers' Week
(1–7 June).
- The #iWill movement is a cross-sector movement working to
make social action part of life for as many young people as
possible.
- The #IWill Movement is co-ordinated by Volunteering Matters
and UK Youth
- The National Youth Strategy was published in December 2025
following engagement with more than 14,000 young people.
- Young Futures Hubs are currently open in Birmingham, Leeds,
Manchester, County Durham, Nottingham, Bristol, Tower Hamlets and
Brighton & Hove.
