Youth Organizing and Leadership

You have the power to lead and create real change. Explore tools, stories, and strategies to harness your potential as a youth leader through guides, games, and videos. Your ideas and actions can transform your community—now is the time to step up and make your voice heard! Access step-by-step support and practical resources to build your skills and confidence.

  1. Just exploring - curious about advocacy

  • [Read] What Is Advocacy? (infographic)

  • [Watch] Understanding Advocacy and Action (Video, 3.5 minutes)

  • [Try] “What Type of Advocate Are You? (quick quiz)

  • [See] Examples: Speaking up for a friend, sharing an important issue online, hosting a petition, peer-to-peer support programs, challenging stereotypes in media

Ready to Learn More? Jump to Step 2

2. Building Skills & Knowledge

Taking Action? Jump to Step 3

3. Ready to Take Action

Want to Lead or Help Others? Jump to Step 4

4. Leading & Supporting Others

Game On

The Project Honduras resource by Trócaire offers an interactive and educational experience that explores the challenges faced by communities in Honduras. It aims to build awareness and understanding of global justice and inequalities through storytelling and digital engagement.

The GO Goals Game by the United Nations Regional Information Centre (UNRIC) is an educational board game designed to teach children and young people about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a fun and engaging way, promoting awareness and understanding of global challenges.

The Games for Change website provides a curated collection of video and digital games designed to address social, civic, and environmental challenges. These games aim to inspire meaningful change through immersive experiences, storytelling, and interactive play.

Youth Leadership and Organizing Insights: Transformative TED Talks for Youth

"Youth Activism: Activating Your Voice" with Hannah Testa

Hannah Testa, a 17-year-old activist and founder of Hannah4Change, shares her journey as a youth leader tackling global issues and empowers young people to take action and create meaningful change in this inspiring TEDx talk.

"The Power of Youth - Changing the World" with Sanjana Buddi

High school senior Sanjana Buddi shares how youth-led organizing and collective action can create a powerful global impact, proving that young people have the ability to change the world in this inspiring TEDx talk.

"The critical importance of youth advocacy" with Lily Gardner

Lily Gardner, a passionate youth advocate from Eastern Kentucky, explores the power of student voices as thought leaders and change-makers, emphasizing their role in shaping education and economic futures in this compelling TEDx talk.

Upcoming Events/Opportunities for Youth Leadership

  • Youth Leadership Conference

    This free summer program provides a safe and fun environment for youth (ages 11-17) to learn how to succeed as a leader in their world.

    Explore

  • Hobbies Not Habits

    This event is all about healthy hobbies instead of unhealthy habits!

    Explore

  • Copper Corridor Coalition

    Empower youths to harness their strengths Initiative

    Explore

References:

Advocates for Youth. (n.d.). About. https://www.advocatesforyouth.org/about/

Advocates for Youth. (2019). Youth activist toolkit. Retrieved April 13, 2025, from https://advocatesforyouth.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Youth-Activist-Toolkit.pdf

Arizona Youth Climate Coalition. (n.d.). Arizona Youth Climate Coalition. https://www.azyouthclimate.org/

Arizona Youth Partnership. (n.d.). YADAH Coalition. https://www.azyp.org/yadah-coalition

California State University, Monterey Bay. (n.d.). Safety during protest. https://csumb.edu/media/csumb/section-editors/student-life/IHgg5yRSJerGg0SIi4HO_SafeyDuringProtest_F.pdf

Champlain College Online. (2023). Top qualities of a great leader. Retrieved April 13, 2025. from https://online.champlain.edu/blog/top-qualities-of-a-great-leader

Chispa Arizona. (n.d.). Youth Program. https://chispaaz.org/youth-program/

Commons Social Change Library. (n.d.). Organizing: People, power, change. Retrieved April 13, 2025, from https://commonslibrary.org/organizing-people-power-change/

Foundation for California Youth Organizing. (n.d.). Air quality advocacy infographic. [Infographic]. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5748627c859fd027d0542d4c/t/637e8a02b9941d0aa24cac29/1669237252055/Air+Quality+Advocacy+Infographic+%281%29.pdf

Games for Change. (n.d.). Games for change. Retrieved April 13, 2025, from https://www.gamesforchange.org/games/

Gen-Z for Change. (n.d.). Gen-Z for Change. https://www.genzforchange.org/

Global Encryption Coalition. (2022). Meeting checklist. https://www.globalencryption.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/3e.-Meeting-Checklist.pdf

Hunter, B. (2019). Campaigning for social change (2nd ed.). Commons Social Change Library. Retrieved April 13, 2025, https://commonslibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/Campaigning-for-Social-Change.pdf

Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston. (n.d.). Make your own mini zine. https://www.icaboston.org/articles/make-your-own-mini-zine/

March For Our Lives. (n.d.). Who we are. https://marchforourlives.org/who-we-are/

Media Trust. (2018). Writing a press release. https://mediatrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/MediaTrust_writing_a_press_release.pdf

Restless Development. (n.d.). The Restless Leadership Challenge. https://restlessdevelopment.org/the-restless-leadership-challenge/

Sierra Club. (n.d.). Digital 101. Clean Energy Toolkit. https://www.sierraclub.org/clean-energy-toolkit/online-organizing/digital-101

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2020). "Take the Trip" event planning guide. https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/tthy-2020-event-guide.pdf

Trócaire. (n.d.). Project Honduras. Retrieved April 13, 2025, from https://games.trocaire.org/project-honduras/

United Nations Regional Information Centre. (n.d.). GO Goals Game. Retrieved April 13, 2025, from https://go-goals.org/

Voices for Healthy Kids. (n.d.). Campaign training tools. Retrieved April 13, 2025, from https://voicesforhealthykids.org/internal/campaign-training-tools

Walden University. (n.d.). What makes a good leader: Ten essential qualities to learn. Retrieved April 13, 2025, from https://www.waldenu.edu/programs/business/resource/what-makes-a-good-leader-ten-essential-qualities-to-learn

Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association. (2025). Advocates toolkit [PDF]. https://wusa.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Advocates-Toolkit.pdf

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