We are pleased to launch Newsletter 3 (February 2026) of the OUR VOICES project, marking a significant step forward in our collective mission to empower young carers across Europe. This edition highlights an important transition: moving from research and mapping to concrete action that strengthens meaningful participation, inclusion, and systemic change.
From Mapping to Action: A New Phase for OUR VOICES
Over the past months, OUR VOICES has reached a major milestone. Following the completion of its mapping and analysis phase, the project is now fully entering the implementation stage. Evidence gathered across Europe is being translated into practical tools, training resources, and capacity-building activities that place young carers’ voices, experiences, and rights at the centre of decision-making processes.
Newsletter 3 captures this shift clearly: from understanding participation gaps to building solutions that support ethical, inclusive, and non-tokenistic engagement of young carers at local, national, and European levels.
WP2 Completed: What We Learned
Work Package 2 (WP2) focused on mapping existing participation mechanisms for young carers and other vulnerable children through a rapid realist review of scientific and grey literature.
The findings confirm a persistent challenge: although participation frameworks exist in many countries, young carers often remain invisible within them. Participation is frequently consultative rather than meaningful, adult-led rather than child-centred, and inconsistently implemented across sectors and regions.
At the same time, WP2 identified important enabling conditions for change, including:
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the presence of trusted adults,
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flexible participation formats adapted to caring responsibilities,
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and strong organisational and policy support.
These insights now form the evidence base for the next phases of the project.
WP3 Underway: Building a Participation Toolbox
Building on WP2, Work Package 3 (WP3) is now developing a Participation Toolbox aimed at professionals, organisations, and decision-makers. The toolbox will offer practical guidance and tools to engage young carers in inclusive, ethical, and meaningful ways, shaped through stakeholder consultations and co-design activities.
Initial drafting has already begun, and partners will continue refining the tools to ensure they reflect real-life practice and respond to young carers’ needs.
WP4 in Progress: Strengthening Professional Capacity
In parallel, Work Package 4 (WP4) is delivering training materials for professionals working with and around young carers, including educators, social workers, healthcare staff, youth workers, and civil society organisations.
The training focuses on:
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identifying young carers,
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understanding their specific challenges,
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applying effective support strategies,
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promoting participation and self-advocacy,
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and creating young-carer-friendly environments.
These materials will be tested through national workshops and online sessions, with evaluation mechanisms to assess relevance, accessibility, and impact.
Looking Ahead
In the coming months, OUR VOICES will:
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refine and validate the Participation Toolbox,
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pilot and evaluate WP4 training activities,
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strengthen cooperation between young carers, professionals, and policymakers,
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and prepare the ground for stronger advocacy and policy impact at EU level.
By moving from research to action, OUR VOICES aims to ensure that young carers are not only heard, but actively supported to shape the decisions that affect their lives.
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