Empowering Young Carers Across Europe: From Consultation to Action
Across Europe, thousands of young people quietly take on caring responsibilities for a parent or loved one. Their voices, however, are too often unheard.
The OUR VOICES project is working to change that.
As highlighted in the latest newsletter , the project is now entering a new, more hands-on phase—one that moves from research into concrete action. With activities now running simultaneously across multiple countries, the focus is clear: ensuring that young carers are not only recognised, but actively involved in shaping the policies and tools that affect their lives.
Listening First: Stakeholder Consultations Underway
A key milestone in this phase is the launch of stakeholder consultations in Italy, Bulgaria, and Belgium. These consultations bring together young carers, families, professionals, and policymakers to better understand both the barriers and opportunities for meaningful participation.
Through surveys and interviews, participants are being asked simple but powerful questions:
- What is working today?
- What makes participation difficult?
- What needs to change?
This process builds on earlier findings that showed how young carers often remain invisible and face structural barriers when trying to have their voices heard .
The insights gathered will feed into the development of an Engagement Framework—a practical tool designed to support continuous and meaningful involvement of young carers in decision-making processes across Europe.
Your Voice Matters
At the heart of this initiative lies a simple principle: participation must be real, not symbolic.
Young carers—defined within the project as children and young people under 18 who regularly provide care due to illness, disability, mental health conditions, or addiction—are being invited to share their lived experiences directly.
Their contributions will not sit on a shelf. Instead, they will:
- shape practical tools,
- inform advocacy strategies,
- and influence policy discussions at local, national, and EU levels.
The consultation process is open, accessible, and designed to take just a few minutes—yet its impact could be long-lasting.
Building Capacity: Trainings for Professionals
Alongside consultations, OUR VOICES is also investing in those who work closest to young people.
Training workshops are now being delivered across all partner countries, bringing together educators, social workers, healthcare professionals, youth workers, and civil society organisations.
These sessions combine research with hands-on tools, helping participants to:
- recognise young carers,
- understand their specific challenges,
- and create more inclusive environments in schools, services, and communities.
Importantly, the trainings are not one-way. Professionals are also encouraged to contribute to the consultation process, strengthening the project’s evidence base and ensuring that practice and policy evolve together .
What Comes Next?
The coming months will be crucial.
The project will continue to:
- complete consultations across participating countries,
- expand training activities,
- analyse data collected from stakeholders,
- and translate findings into a Participation Toolbox to be tested and refined with real users.
At the same time, advocacy efforts will intensify, aiming to ensure that the voices of young carers are reflected in policies at both national and European level.
Towards Meaningful Participation
At its core, OUR VOICES is about shifting perspectives.
From seeing young carers as hidden supporters to recognising them as active citizens with valuable insights. From designing policies for them to building solutions with them.
Because meaningful participation is not just about being heard—it is about being part of the change.
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