Copyright©2025bytheErasmusStudentNetworkAISBL.Allrightsreserved.
Title:GuidelinesforActionTaking
Publishedby:ErasmusStudentNetworkAISBL
Authors:MădălinaBăndărău(ESN),SianBagshaw(WOSM),andTiagoNunes (ESN)
Editing&Design:IlgazKiran(ESN)
Pictures:ESNInternational,WorldOrganizationoftheScoutMovement,Kamil Jasiński
Thisinformationcanbefreelyusedandcopiedfornon-commercialpurposes, providedappropriatecreditisgivenandanychangesmadeareindicated.This workislicensedunderaCreativeCommonsAttribution-NonCommercial4.0 InternationalLicense.
TheVoicesofChangeprojectisco-fundedbytheEuropeanUnion.
Foreword
TheseGuidelinesforActionTakingaretheresultofameaningfulcollaboration betweentheWorldOrganizationoftheScoutMovement(WOSM)andthe ErasmusStudentNetwork(ESN),groundedinoursharedcommitmenttoyouth empowermentandcommunityengagement.Developedasafollow-uptothe MappingToolforrealityassessment,theseguidelinesaredesignedtosupport youngpeopleintranslatingtheirinsightsintoimpactfulaction
Withastep-by-stepreflectionjourneyandpracticaltools,theseguidelines equipyouthworkersandpeereducatorswithresourcesfortheirowngrowth andtoinspire,guide,andempowerothersintheirlocalandglobal communities.Whetheraddressingsocial,environmental,orcivicchallenges, theseguidelinesprovideaclearpathfromreflectiontoaction.
Thisjointeffortbringstogetherthestrengthsofbothourorganisations, WOSM’slegacyinnon-formaleducationandESN’sdeepconnectionwith youngchangemakersacrossEurope.Weareproudtoofferthistooltosupport youth-ledinitiativesthatcreaterealandlastingimpact
Wethankallthosewhocontributedtothedevelopmentoftheseguidelines. Yourinsightsanddedicationcontinuetodrivemeaningfulchange,oneaction atatime
Introduction
TheseGuidelineswerecreatedtohelpyoungpeopleandyouth-led organisationsturnreflectionintomeaningful,sustainableaction.Theyarenot instructionstofollowstepbystep,butguidinglines-flexibledirections designedtoinspireconfidenceandadaptability.Theiraimistosupportyouth inunderstandingtheircontext,buildingrelevantresponses,andsustaining positiveimpactwithintheircommunities
DevelopedjointlybytheErasmusStudentNetwork(ESN)andtheWorld OrganizationoftheScoutMovement(WOSM)withintheVoicesofChange project,theseguidelinesreflectthesharedcommitmentofbothorganisations tostrengthenyouthparticipationandresilienceacrossEurope.Theycontribute directlytotheproject’sbroadergoals:ensuringdurableandrelevantimpact foryouthstructuresbyenhancingtheircapacitytorespondtoevolvingsocial needsandempoweringvolunteerstoacteffectivelyintheirenvironments
Thecontentbuildsonthefindingsofthreecomplementaryproject components: 1)Implementationoffocusgroupswithvolunteersonneeds assessments,gatheringyouthperspectivesonbarriers,motivations,and enablingconditionsforcivicaction;2)Deskresearchidentifyingthemain stagesandeffectivepracticesofyouth-ledactionacrossdifferentcontexts; and3)Developmentofamappingtoolforrealityassessment,offering practicalwaystounderstandlocalchallengesandopportunities.
Theseprocessesrevealedthatsustainableyouthactionbeginswithawareness andcollaboration.Theguidelinestherefore,followastep-by-stepprogression, fromexploringrealitiestoevaluatingactions,combiningpracticalmethods, reflectivequestions,andadaptabletools.Eachstageencourageslearningby doing,inclusionofdiversevoices,andbuildingpartnershipsthatstrengthenthe long-termrelevanceandpreparednessofyouthinitiatives.
Beyondimmediateactivities,theGuidelinesforActionTakingaimtonurturea cultureofinclusion,socialcohesion,andmutualsupport.Theyhighlighttherole ofyoungpeopleaschangeagentsandpeersupporterscapableofbridging divides,addressingemergingsocietalchallenges,andremovingbarriersto participationforunderrepresentedgroups.
Reflective
Yes No I don’t know statement
Icanclearlyidentifythemain issuesaffectingmycommunity andunderstandsomeofthe deepercausesbehindthem.
Iamawareofhowmyown experiences,values,and assumptionsshapethewayIsee mycommunity’sreality. Imakeanefforttolistentoor includevoicesthatareoften missingormarginalisedin discussionsaboutmy community.
Iknowofsafeandmeaningful waysthatyoungpeople, includingmyself,canget involvedincreatingpositive changeinthiscontext. Currentpracticesimplemented Areasforimprovement
institutionalrepresentativestojoinyourlocalinitiativ spacesfortheirperspectivesinyourinitiatives
Createsafeandinclusivespacesinyourenvironment foropendiscussionsandhealthydebatesthatencourag participationandconflictresolution; Initiatethechangeyouwishtobepartof!
2
Determining relevant challenges
Thisstageiswherebroadawarenessbecomesfocus,andconcernbecomes commitment.Itinvolvesanalysinggatheredinsights,identifyingrecurring themes,andclarifyingwhichissuesaremosturgent,meaningful,and actionable Thisprocessisbothreflectiveandstrategic Choosingachallenge isnotonlyaboutwhatmattersmost,it’salsoaboutwhatispossible.When youngpeopleidentifyissuesthatresonatepersonallyandarewithinreach, theycreatestrongermotivation,clearerdirection,andmoresustainableaction
Reflective
Yes No I don’t know statement
Icanidentifychallengesthatfeel personallyrelevantandresonate withtheexperiencesand prioritiesofmypeers.
Ihavetakentimetoanalysethe causesandconsequencesofthe challengesidentified,notjust whatappearsonthesurface
Icandistinguishbetweenbroad orcomplexproblemsandthose thatarefocusedandachievable withinourcapacities.
Ihaveengageddiversevoices, includingyouth,community membersandexternal stakeholders/institutions directlyinvolved,inselectingand prioritisingchallenges
Currentpracticesimplemented
Issues identified:
Oneotherkeyissueidentifiedduringtheresearchisthelackofsafe, intentionalspaceswhereyoungpeoplecanopenlytalkaboutconflictand identity.Manyparticipantsinthefocusgroupsexpressedarealneedfor inclusiveenvironments-especiallyincommunitiesfacinggrowingsocial polarisation-wheretheycanfreelydiscusswhat’shappeningaroundthem A maincausefuelingthisissueisthatrulesabout“neutrality”inNGOsand informalspacescansometimesendupsilencingyouthvoices,particularlyin placeswheretensionsarealreadyhigh.
Mitigation tools & actions:
Prioritisetheprivacy,safetyandinclusionofthepeer-sharingspaces createdby,with,andforyouth;
Analysetheinputgatheredduringthefirstphaseoftheprocessandcluster challengesintospecific,thematicareasoffocus;
Useanimpact-effortmatrixor theEisenhower’sPrincipleto prioritisechallengesthatneedto beaddressed;
Useproblemtreesforadeepdive intotherootcausesandeffectsof theidentifiedchallenges; Surveysandinterviewswith relevantstakeholdersand involvedparties,specificallythe youthsector;
Useinformalsettingsforinformationsharingandpeerreview;,donotlimit theprocesstoformalsettingsonly.
yourself
Positioning yourself as an actor of change
Understandingthecontextaroundyouisonlythefirststep;thenextisto recogniseyourownplacewithinit.Yourlivedexperience,skills,andnetworks shapethekindofimpactyoucanhave,whetherasacommunityorganiser,a communicator,oraconnectorbetweenpeers Recognisingbothyourstrengths andthebarriersyoufacehelpsyouapproachactionrealisticallyand sustainably.
Reflective Yes No I don’t know statement
Iunderstandwhichpersonal experiencesorvaluesmotivate metocareabouttheissuesin mycommunity.
Icanidentifytheskills,strengths, orperspectivesIbringthatcould contributetopositivechange
Iamawareofthemainbarriers orlimitationsthatmightaffect howItakeaction,andIknow whatsupportorpartnerships couldhelpmeovercomethem.
Ihaveaclearsenseofwhatkind ofactorIwanttobeandhowthis rolefitswithinmycurrentreality Currentpracticesimplemented Areasforimprovement
Issues identified:
Anothermajorchallengeisthelackofpeaceandhumanrightseducation, whichmakesitincreasinglydifficultforyoungergenerationstostayinformed andengaged.Youngpeoplearecallingforpeaceeducationtobeformally includedinschoolcurricula,alongwithsustainablefundingandrecognition foryouth-ledlearninginitiatives Acrosstheboard,they’veemphasisedthat ongoingpeaceandhumanrightseducation,specificallyfocusingon preventiveapproachestopeacebuilding,shouldrepresentourmaintoolsfor actiontaking.
Mitigation tools & actions:
Throughasphereofinfluenceexercise, assess,identifyandunderstandyour currentpositionwithinthecontext analysed; Identifyyourcoreskillsand aptitudesthatwouldhelp addressthechallengesidentified. Facilitatethisprocessby implementingaVennDiagram exercise; Beopentoresearch,learnand improveyourapproachbased onfactualinformation; Educateyourselfandthepeoplearoundyouonpressingtopicsand challenges; Speakoutwheneveryounoticeinjusticehappeningaroundyou.
Influence
4
networks
Alliances and Networks
Mobilisingsupportisthestagewhereyouth-ledinitiativesgainmomentum andreachbeyondindividualeffort.Buildingalliancesandnetworkstransforms apersonalorsmall-groupactionintoacollectivemovement,fosteringshared ownership,trust,andsustainability Mobilisationisnotmeasuredsolelyby numbers,butbythedepthofengagement,legitimacy,andcollectiveenergyit creates.
Reflective
Yes No I don’t know statement
ThepeopleandorganisationsI collaboratewithsharemyvalues andobjectives,helpingto strengthenmyinitiative’simpact. ThemethodsandplatformsIuse foroutreachandcollaboration aresuitedtomyobjectivesand theenvironmentinwhichI operate.
Myalliancesandnetworksfoster sharedownership,long-term engagement,andmeaningful contributionfromallparticipants.
Mymobilisationeffortsare inclusive,allowingparticipation fromdiverseyouthgroups, communitymembersand externalstakeholders/ institutionsinarespectfuland safeenvironment.
Currentpracticesimplemented Areasforimprovement
Issues identified:
Youngpeoplehavereportedhavingfeweropportunitiesforrealcivic participation Eventhoughtheyrecognisethegrowingpoliticaltensionsin theircommunities-andunderstandhowmuchtheseissuescanaffecttheir dailylives-manystillfacebarriersthatholdthembackfromgettingactively involved Structuralchallenges,competingresponsibilities,andthelackof formalrecognitionfortheireffortsallmakeitharderforyouthtotakepartin communitylifeinameaningfulway.
Mitigation tools & actions:
Aimtohaveamultidisciplinaryteam;
Choosepartnersandstakeholdersbasedontherealistic,factualneedsof theaction,identifiedwiththehelpoftheprevioussteps;
Keeptheprocessopenandinclusiveforvariousperspectivesand approaches,aslongastheyalignwiththechallengesandobjectives identified;
Adjustthemobilisationeffortstothecontextofyouraim-notall approachesbenefitallaims;ensurecriticalandstrategicthinkingwhen decidingonapproaches;
Createandsustainplatformsthatsupportpeersharingandreview, promotionandeffortmobilisationbetweenyouthandthirdpartiesand/or stakeholders;
Socialmediaplatformscanbeyourbiggestasset,ifusedcorrectly-invest init;
Bridgegapsbetweensectorsthroughpetitions,awarenesscampaigns, formaldebatesand/orcreativeformsofexpression-makesureitis fosteredinasafeandopenenvironment
5
Strategic goal-setting
Thisisthestagewherevisionbecomesstructure.Itisaboutdefiningwhat changeyouwanttoachieve,howyouplantoachieveit,andwhyitmatters.It helpsgroupsarticulateobjectives,considerrisks,andidentifytheresources neededtosucceed Itisaboutownershipandadaptability Youth-ledplanning thriveswhenitisinclusive,iterative,andresponsivetochangingrealities.
Reflective Yes No I don’t know statement
Icanclearlyunderstandand describeourmaingoal,the changeIwanttocreate,andthe peopleourplanismeantto support.
Myobjectivesarespecific, measurable,achievable, relevant,andtime-bound (SMART),withclearactionsand resourcesidentified. Ihaveassessedpossiblerisks anddesignedmyplantostay flexibleandadaptablewhennew challengesoropportunitiesarise.
Myplanningprocesshas includedinputfromdiverse youthcommunitymembersand externalstakeholders/ institutions,ensuringtheplan reflectssharedownershipand inclusivity
Currentpracticesimplemented
Issues identified:
Youngpeoplehavepointedoutthewayinwhichinstitutions,aswellas organisations,respondtocurrenteventsandupholdpeaceandhumanrights values.Manyparticipantsnoticedthatinstitutionalresponsesareoftenslow anddisconnectedfromtherealitiesunfoldinginsociety.Thissluggishness canalsolimitNGOs’abilitytoaddressurgentcommunityneeds,asoftentimes theiractionsrequireinstitutionalsupportandpreparedness.Atthesametime, inconsistenciesinhowpeaceandhumanrightsprinciplesareapplied,both internallyandexternally,underminetrustandcredibility.
Mitigation tools & actions:
Objectivetree-atoolthathelpsyou breakdownaproblemintoactionable items,similarstructuretotheproblem tree;reformeachaspectoftheproblem tree(coreproblem->coreobjective; causes->means(actionableitems), effects->“ends”(outcomesofthe actions);
Establishwhatyouwanttoachieve,how youwanttoachieveitandwhatimpact youareexpectingtohavewiththisplan; SMARTobjectives;
UseaRiskMatrix,aPESTLE orSWOTAnalysisto conductariskassessment
-Identifypotentialrisksthat couldblockoralteryour actionsandprovideways thatcanbeimplementedto mitigatetheserisks;
Planiniterativecycles-Ask forinputandfeedbackfrom targetedgroups,including boththeyouthandthe externalstakeholders;
Adjustplanningtoyourenvironment-useandadapttoolstoinformal settings,donotovercomplicate;aimtoclarifyinsteadofcomplicate.
evaluation
Action and Evaluation
Thisstagerepresentsthe“culmination”ofyouth-ledrealityassessment,where plansandstrategiesmeetreal-worldchallenges.Itisthemomentwhere ideas,values,andintentionsaretranslatedintotangibleaction.Thisstagealso ensuresthatactionsarenotisolatedeventsbutpartofacontinuouscycleof learningandimprovement,reinforcingresilience,civicidentity,andtheability toactmeaningfullyeveninshrinkingcivicspaces
Reflective
statement
Myactionscontributedto achievingthegoalsand addressingthechallengeswe identified.
Iwasabletoadaptmyplans anddecisionswhenunexpected challengesarose,while maintainingtherightcourseto achievingmysetgoals.
Yes No I don’t know
Iengageddiversegroupsinthe processandhelpedcreate spacesfordialogueandshared decision-making.
Ilearnedfromtheexperience andcanapplytheselessonsto futureactions
Currentpracticesimplemented
Areasforimprovement
Issues identified:
Youngpeoplehavehighlightedagrowingdisconnectbetweengrassroots actionsandinstitutionalsupport Manyyouth-ledandcommunity-based initiativesaredrivingrealchangeinsociety,yettheyoftenlackconsistent institutionalbacking.Thisgaplimitsthesustainabilityandimpactoflocal peacebuildingefforts Additionally,thelackofequitablefundingremainsa majorconcern,withmoreandmoreyouthgroupsfrequentlyfacingbarriers inaccessingfinancialresources.
Mitigation tools & actions:
Alignyouractions,activitiesandimplementationstrategiestothepublic prioritiesandfocusareas; Evenwithoutexternalfundingprovided,inviteandincluderelevantexternal stakeholderstoyouractivities.Openyourspacetotheirperspectivesand aimtosecuresupportforfutureactions;
Findabalancebetweenformalandinformal,creativeactivities-aimto catertoboththeyouthsectorandthestakeholders’environments; includehybrid,decentralisedspaces;
Bridgethegapbetweenthetwogroupsbyfacilitatingsharedspacesfor debateandopendiscussion-whetherbyinvolvingtheminthe preparationorhavingthemasparticipants;
Beopen(andready)toadjustbasedplansonthespot-implementation mayrevealgapsintheplanningprocessandchangesomemilestonesand objectives;
Reflectionandevaluationshouldhappenwithandforthetargetgroupas muchasithappenswithandfortheimplementationteam-aimtoextract lessonsandassesstheimpactfromasmanyanglesaspossible;itshould beparticipatory;
Usetoolsandmethodstohelpyoufacilitatetheevaluationprocessand registertheinput-feedbackforms,KPIs,outcomeindicators,4Fsmethod (specificallyeffectiveinnon-formaleducationalenvironments);
Usetheinformationgatheredasastructuralandfactualbasefor planning,implementingandfundingfutureactions.
Conclusion
TheseGuidelinesrepresentthesharedeffortofyouth,volunteers,and organisationscommittedtotransformingreflectionintomeaningful, sustainableimpact Theyarearesponsetothevoicesgatheredthrough research,focusgroups,andcollaborativeexchanges,voicesthatcalledfor clearerpathways,accessibletools,andsupportivespaceswhereyoungpeople canactwithconfidenceandpurpose
Throughoutthedifferentstagespresented,theguidelineshighlightthat effectiveactionbeginswithunderstandingone’slocalrealityandone’sown positionwithinit Fromidentifyingchallengestobuildingalliances,fromsetting goalstoevaluatingresults,eachstagereinforcestheimportanceof inclusiveness,adaptability,andsharedresponsibility.Theprocessisnotlinear butcyclical,encouragingcontinuouslearning,reflection,andadjustmentin responsetochangingcontexts
Beyondprovidingstructure,theseguidelinesaimtostrengthenthelong-term capacityofyouthandtheirorganisationstoaddressevolvingsocialneeds Theypromotesustainableactioninareassuchassocialintegration,civic participation,peacebuilding,andcrisispreparedness,ensuringthatyoung peopleareequippednotonlytoact,buttobuildresilientcommunitiesthat learnandgrowtogether
Attheircore,theseguidelinesreaffirmthebeliefthatyoungpeoplearenotonly thebeneficiariesofchangebutitsactiveshapers.Byfosteringcollaboration, inclusiveness,andcriticalreflection,theGuidelinesforActionTakingcontribute tobuildingastrongercultureofyouthengagementacrossEurope,onerooted inunderstanding,solidarity,andsustainableimpact.
Thejourneyofactiontakingdoesnotendhere.Theseguidelinesarealiving tool,meanttoevolveasyoungpeoplecontinuetoadapt,respond,andleadin achangingworld.Theresponsibilitynowrestswitheveryreadertouse,adapt, andexpanduponthem,turningknowledgeintopracticeandreflectioninto meaningful,collectiveaction.
