From Excluded to Empowered: Young People Designing Victoria’s 30-Year Plan

The challenge was overcoming systemic barriers that exclude young people, especially those from diverse backgrounds and rural or regional areas, from policy-making and long-term planning in key sectors such as health, employment, education, and First Nations issues. Geographic isolation, limited access to decision-making spaces, and lack of resources prevent young people from engaging in policy development. Additionally, lived experience expertise is often not valued as a professional skill in traditional settings, leading to the exclusion of young people, who possess a wealth of such expertise, from shaping important policy, strategies and systemic change in critical areas that affect them.

To tackle exclusion, YLab engaged nine Youth Ambassadors from diverse metropolitan, regional, and rural areas across Victoria. The Ambassadors co-designed and delivered youth-focused activities in their local communities to gain insights into what young people wanted for Victoria and what mattered most to them. These insights were then gathered, synthesised, and presented to the DTP. With YLab’s coaching in project management, recruitment, and budgeting, the team ensured the initiatives were locally grounded and meaningful. The Ambassadors' community initiatives fostered leadership, authentic participation, and community ownership, amplifying young people’s voices in decision-making and creating a platform for long-term empowerment/systemic change.

The project engaged over 200 young people across nine activities in rural, regional, and metropolitan Victoria. Nine Youth Ambassadors were recruited, with seven becoming new YLab associates. Over 500 hours of coaching empowered these young people to lead their communities and amplify their voices. Through genuine engagement, the initiative produced actionable insights and feedback, directly informing the Plan for Victoria. These insights, grounded in young people's lived experiences, contributed to shaping policies on affordable housing, mental health, sustainability, and safety. This initiative ensured that the diverse and unique voices of young Victorians were at the forefront of designing Victoria’s future.

Grounded in lived experience and co-design, Youth Ambassadors, who are deeply connected to their communities, lead the creation of initiatives that resonate with their peers. Informed by their own experiences and passions, they understand what matters most to young people and how best to gather insights. By designing activities that reflect their lived experiences, the ambassadors foster authentic connections, ensuring the insights they gather are relevant and meaningful. This approach guarantees that young people’s voices are not only heard but are central in shaping policy and state planning, ensuring the outcomes reflect the true needs of diverse youth communities. The initiative also uses fun, engaging activities to break down the complexity of policy planning and systemic change, which can often feel overwhelming. Through interactive methods such as sports, art, and community workshops, these complex topics are made accessible and relatable, encouraging young people to actively participate. By transforming policy discussions into enjoyable and interactive experiences, the initiative empowers young people to connect with the process, voice their opinions, and contribute to important decisions about the future of Victoria. This approach ensures that young people feel confident and valued in the planning process.