About the project
The PhD project explores how youth involvement takes place at service and system level in three Norwegian municipalities. The project aims to develop knowledge that can contribute to a better understanding of how youth involvement is described, practiced and experienced, and what impact involvement has in decision-making processes.
Norwegian municipalities have a responsibility to involve youth at the system and service level. Such involvement entails that youth as a group should be involved in matters that affect their lives by being heard, their preferences considered, and they should participate in decision-making processes that affect their health and wellbeing. This involvement is expected to encompass processes such as planning, service design and in the development of initiatives aimed at youth.
The aim of this project is to generate knowledge about how youth involvement is described, practiced, and experienced, and to examine its impact on decision-making processes.
Data will be conducted in three municipalities, and will include document analysis of websites and documents, as well as qualitative interviews and focus groups with professionals, managers, administrative/political actors, and youth between the age of 15-25. The analysis will map and compare practices and interpret findings in light of theories on participation, co-creation, and co-production in the public sector.
The findings from this project will be relevant to improving professional practice and supporting public governance and service innovation.
The project collaborates with the Norwegian organization Voksne for Barn.
The project is funded by Nord University and has a timeframe of four years (01.01.25 – 31.12.28).
Information and consent form for participation:
Project leader
