Since our launch in July, In Tandem has sparked 100 meaningful conversations with organizations passionate about including youth voice in decision-making and co-designing solutions.
This milestone is more than a number—it’s a testament to the growing recognition of youth as essential changemakers in shaping their and our futures. Along the way, we’ve uncovered shared challenges, gained fresh perspectives, and explored actionable ways to amplify the impact of youth voice.
In this blog, we share key insights, honor the outstanding contributions of our partners, and outline the next steps in our mission to amplify the voices and impact of young people.
But first, to everyone who has shared their perspectives, time, and ideas—especially our amazing partners—thank you. Your collaboration fuels our mission to create a brighter, more connected future for young people.
Listening isn’t just part of our process at In Tandem—it’s our superpower. These discovery conversations are more than a step in our journey; they’re the foundation of everything we do. They’ve provided an opportunity to understand the obstacles and aspirations of those working to uplift youth voice.
This commitment to understanding allows us to remain adaptable, innovative, and impactful. Together with our partners, we’re building a future where youth voices are not only heard but elevated. This is just the beginning, and we’re excited to continue learning and collaborating with you!
While the benefits of involving young people’s perspectives are clear, many organizations face significant challenges when it comes to making their initiatives truly inclusive and impactful. Here are the five most common barriers we’ve identified from our conversations.
Engaging youth from diverse backgrounds isn’t always straightforward. Organizations often struggle to connect with underrepresented groups, such as LGBTQ+ teens, youth in rural areas, or those facing unstable living situations. These challenges can narrow the participant pool, leaving critical viewpoints unheard and resulting in initiatives that are less inclusive than intended.
Financial constraints and limited staff bandwidth often hinder organizations from prioritizing youth voice. Without proper resources for outreach, fair compensation, or skilled facilitation, initiatives risk being inequitable or underdeveloped. Overburdened teams juggling competing priorities can further compromise the depth and overall impact of these efforts.
Coordinating schedules, managing consent processes, and navigating remote or hybrid settings can be complex and time-consuming. These logistical barriers often slow progress, making it challenging for organizations to maintain momentum and sustain youth participation, ultimately preventing the creation of sustainable programs.
Over-reliance on existing networks or well-worn advisory groups can unintentionally limit access to fresh ideas. When outreach efforts don’t extend far enough, the resulting feedback risks excluding opinions from underserved or marginalized communities, perpetuating inequities instead of addressing them.
Frequent outreach to the same youth groups or networks can also lead to fatigue—both for participants and organizations. When fresh perspectives are hard to come by, feedback loops can stagnate, diminishing the energy and innovation needed to keep youth engagement initiatives impactful and dynamic.
These barriers, while common, underscore the need for thoughtful strategies and scalable solutions to authentically amplify youth voice.
In Tandem tackles these challenges head-on. By tapping into our diverse network of Youth Partners, we simplify recruitment and ensure organizations hear from a wide range of voices—far beyond their existing circles.
We understand the logistical and resource challenges that often hold organizations back, which is why we provide structured support to lighten the load, allowing them to focus on the insights and impact. By compensating youth for their time, we combat engagement fatigue while ensuring equitable opportunities for all.
Our goal is to empower organizations to gather authentic feedback, collaborate with young people to create meaningful solutions and drive lasting change. Together, we’re building a future where youth voices lead the way.
Discover how In Tandem empowers organizations to engage youth voices and drive meaningful change.