What the Methodology Is
Understanding the foundation and purpose of this approach
-
Together is a child- and youth-centered participation methodology designed to strengthen children’s capacity to engage meaningfully in public decision-making. It provides a structured set of components, including peer-to-peer workshops, e-learning for professionals, and child-friendly informational videos, that help support the meaningful and effective participation of children.
Its core purpose is to embed children’s rights in public decision-making, also in times of crisis, by equipping children and young people from vulnerable backgrounds with the skills, confidence, and platforms needed to express their views and influence decisions affecting them.
The methodology helps solve the persistent problem that many children, especially those in alternative care or vulnerable family situations, are rarely consulted by authorities and face significant barriers to having their perspectives included in public policy.
How It Can Be Used
Practical applications and implementation guidance
This methodology can be applied in consultations, peer learning workshops, awareness raising activities, capacity building programs, and collaborative sessions with decision makers. It supports processes in which children learn about their rights, build skills for participation, and directly communicate their perspectives to professionals and public authorities.
Together can be used when designing participatory activities involving children aged 13–17, especially in contexts where children are contributing to decision making or policymaking in their communities. It is particularly useful when children require structured preparation before engaging with officials, or when organizations aim to embed a rights based and youth led approach.
The methodology adds structured guidance, tested workshop materials, and a peer to peer training model that improves the quality and consistency of participation practice. It enables teams to build children’s confidence, support safe engagement, and create settings where children's insights shape policies and services.
Focus on Inclusion
The methodology places a strong emphasis on inclusive participation, ensuring that children of different ages, genders, abilities, and backgrounds can participate meaningfully. Its design specifically focuses on children in vulnerable family situations and alternative care, who often face heightened barriers to participation.
It supports inclusive communication through child friendly information, accessible workshop formats, and peer led delivery, which helps children learn from others with similar experiences. The materials can be adapted for different languages, cultural contexts, and individual needs. The project materials already exist in English, Bulgarian, Hungarian, Italian and Spanish.
By grounding participation in voluntary involvement, safeguarding, respectful facilitation, and accountability, the methodology helps create spaces where all children feel safe, valued, and able to influence decisions. It recognises children as experts of their own lives, and provides structured opportunities for them to communicate directly with decision makers.
Contributors
Organizations and individuals who developed this methodology
SOS Children's Villages
The methodology was developed through the Together: Working in partnership with children and youth to enhance their rights project (2022-2024), which was co-funded by the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) Program of the European Union. The project was led by SOS Children’s Villages International, and implemented by SOS Children’s Villages associations in Bulgaria, Hungary, Italy, and Spain.
The participation of children and young people as Mentors, Peer Trainers, and Child and Youth Advisory Board members was instrumental in the project, as they helped shape and deliver the training methodology and materials.
Tools from Eurochild and the Learning for Well-being Foundation were also utilized and adapted as part of the Together peer workshop program.
Click here to know more about the project.Testimonials
Voices from those who have experienced this methodology
