The Town of Collingwood is asking for input from local youth to identify barriers that keep young people from participating in town planning and decision-making.
"We want to know the concerns Collingwood youth might have and how we can work with youth in making decisions that impact them and the community," states a news release from the town.
The survey went live on Friday, just ahead of National Youth Week (May 1-7). It is asking for opinions from people aged 12 to 29 years old on how they would like to be heard, what are the biggest issues they face, and what are the barriers to participating.
The survey is posted on the Engage Collingwood site here.
"Youth engagement is identified as a priority in the Collingwood Community Based Strategic Plan Goal: Transparent and Accountable Local Government to engage youth in governance by building upon town-related youth engagement (e.g. in Library and Youth Centre), and developing a forum, such as a youth council, who will meaningfully engage with and advise council," states the news release.
Objectives outlined in a 2021 staff report on Youth Engagement In Governance include:
- Support Council and community on municipal initiatives and decisions that affect/impact youth in the community
- Provide a space where youth feel comfortable to speak openly
- Encourage interest in local government career opportunities
- Provide a meaningful and fulfilling opportunity for personal development
- Provide an opportunity for youth to be productive and influential in the health and growth of the community
- Promote positive mental health and inclusion opportunities
- Offer community hours to high school youth
- Youth that represent a wide range of youth ideas and issues
- Not to duplicate youth programs already in place
- Volunteer Hours opportunity
The town is offering one volunteer hour for youth who complete the survey, which can be applied to the volunteer hours required for an Ontario Secondary School Diploma.
Students can get three more volunteer hours from the town by submitting an image or piece of writing that shows what the Town of Collingwood means to them. Submissions can be emailed to [email protected] or dropped off at the town hall or the Collingwood Public Library.
