How to

Attract Youth to Your Organization

Young people can be extremely energetic and effective members in any type of organization, especially
those that promote civic activism. Youth represent the future, and by recruiting them an NGO guarantees
a certain degree of sustainability. Youth also usually bring new and fresh ideas and are eager to implement
them. There is no doubt that youth activists play a significant role around the world in advocating for
political, social and economic reforms. Youth have managed to bring about significant change in their
societies through their energy, passion and commitment. In many cases, youth are the first ones to be out
demonstrating and advocating for their rights. Recruiting youth to join civic-oriented activities and become
involved in your organization is highly important to achieving your organizations goals. This sheet
provides strategies and tools for recruiting youth activists.
RECRUITMENT BASICS
Be specific, simple and direct in your recruitment message.
Note the advantages of joining your organization that speak
to youths interests, for example making new friends, acquiring
new skills, and exploring new activities. Be prepared to answer
questions from interested youth, including the five Ws: Who?
What? Where? When? Why? Reach out to youth through
schools, sports organizations, and scouts. NGO Green Globe
visited university campuses to recruit new youth members
to their environmental campaign and activities. If you are
searching for committed youth only, you can request motivation
letters or applications to recruit only those who are dedicated
enough to complete them. This screening approach has been
used successfully by NGOs IndyAct and AieServe.

Consider This: Be Creative!

From the start of their Eco Warrior
project, NGO IndyAct branded the project
as representing the green generation
by printing t-shirts, notebooks, pens, and
stickers with a catchy logo. IndyAct showed
the youth that they were part of a team
on a serious project, whose mission is to
preserve the environment. This approach
attracted excellent applicants who were
committed to the project.

USING EXISTING EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

Make use of existing events to recruit youth, such as sports events, festivals, concerts and exhibitions.
Green Globe took advantage of an ongoing Outdoor Lebanon exhibition to promote their project and
reach out to new youth volunteers. Set up a sign-up sheet at your events so youth or others can join your
NGO or be added to your mailing list. You can also use national and international observances, such as
Independence Day or the International Day for Human Rights, to talk to youth about the benefits of civic
activism and the benefits of joining your organization.
ENGAGING PARENTS
Parents can play a key role in helping youth stay active.
Reaching out to parents to introduce your organization or
project will make them more comfortable having their kids
attend your activities. You can reach parents by visiting them
at home, and by inviting them to your projects opening
ceremony or other activities. Share information about your
NGOs center as well as security and logistics details. An
NGO in the Beqaa, the Lebanese Youth Network (LYN),
visited local youth and their parents at home, where they
explained the project to both audiences at the same time. This
approach was appreciated by the parents, who as a result were
supportive of their childrens participation in LYNs project.
PEER-TO-PEER RECRUITMENT
Involve youth who are already part of your organization/
project in the recruitment of new youth: peers are often the
best means to recruit new youth. Youth are more likely to
join an organization/project when others are also joining,

NGOs in the Beqaa organized a fair to

raise awareness on their activities and
engage youth.

Civic Activism Toolkit | Working with Youth

particularly those who are perceived

as influential among their peer groups.
Train youth leaders on leadership
Tips from the Field:
skills to enhance their ability to
Consider reaching out to youth through local churches
conduct future recruitment. You can
and mosques. Two NGOs in the Beqaa, Forsa and
also use celebrities or role models
Nadi Al Houdoud, visited mosques after prayer time to
to attract new members; celebrities
introduce their projects to local youth. To help in the
can use their influence to reinforce
recruitment process, one NGO asked local sheikhs and priests
an NGOs messages, and to expand
in the surrounding villages to announce their project after weekly
prayers, which allowed the NGO to reach a large number of
the reach of your NGO to their
potential participants. You can also enlist the help of mokhtars
audiences. For example, an NGO in
the Beqaa (the Lebanese Organization (village leaders) to spread the word about your project or
organization.
for Studies and Training - LOST)
invited a renowned specialist in herbal
medicine to promote and participate in its marathon.

Involve youth who are already part of your

organization/project in the recruitment of new
participants: peers are often the best means to
recruit new youth. Youth are more likely to join an
organization/project when others are also joining,
particularly those who are perceived as influential
among their peer groups.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Ask community leaders to help you recruit. They generally have access to a large number of youth
and their influence over them is usually strong, especially in small communities. An NGO in the
Beqaa (Forsa) worked with mayors and municipal council members to encourage male youth in their
villages to apply to their vocational training project. Mayors identified youth from low socio-economic
backgrounds who could benefit from such an endeavor. The team also posted project ads on the
municipal building and set up stands at which Forsas team explained
the project to citizens passing by or visiting the municipal building.
Conduct field visits to encourage the support of community leaders,
stakeholders, parents and others.
MEDIA
You can also recruit youth through local newspapers, newsletters or
magazines. Select those that are most widely read by youth, such as
school newspapers. You can also use flyers, brochures, posters and
billboards. These tools are especially effective to publicize a specific
event. For example, Forsa posted flyers in mosques, churches and
public spaces close to their center to advertise their vocational training
project and job fair. Forsas team posted ads on the fronts of more
than 500 shops in Baalbeck and the surrounding target areas. Forsa
also used a local television station to promote their new project and
highlight the successes of their previous work. Many youth joined
Forsas project as a result of seeing these advertisements.

Recruitment is not a onetime activity; rather, it as an

ongoing process. Promote
your work and impact
through success stories and
press coverage. Publicize
program successes in a
product shared with a
broad audience, such
as a newsletter, blog, or
Facebook page.

Additional Resources:
How to Engage Youth in Recreational Activities
How to Organize a Community Event
How to Use International and Lebanese Observances
How to Issue an Effective Newsletter

Civic Activism Toolkit | Working with Youth