Young people are the future of sport, but too often they are only on the field and not at the table where decisions are made. The REACH Youth Engagement in Sport for All Charter sets out to change that.
Developed by the
REACH Consortium, the Charter gives sport organisations a clear framework of principles and 15 practical actions. Its goal is simple: bring young people into leadership, decision-making, management and event planning, so they become partners rather than just participants.
Whether you run a local club, a national federation or an international network, the Charter offers a concrete way to give young people a real voice in your organisation.
Why It Matters
Youth volunteering in sport is under pressure. According to the 2022 Eurobarometer on sport and physical activity, 71% of 15 to 24-year-olds have never volunteered in sport and do not plan to. Research from the European Observatory of Sport Employment (2023) confirms that attracting and keeping young volunteers is getting harder.
The problem is not a lack of interest. Financial insecurity among students, shrinking free time and the rigid structures of the sports sector all stand in the way. Yet volunteering builds exactly the skills young people need: leadership, teamwork, decision-making and self-confidence.
The benefits run both ways. A rapid literature review by the University of Limerick for REACH found that engaging youth:
- helps young people develop leadership and organisational skills, and improves their employability
- gives organisations more capacity, stronger social ties and long-term commitment
- strengthens inclusion and reduces local disparities in the wider community
15 Actions, 7 Themes
| Theme | What organisations commit to |
|---|
| Recognition and strategic commitment | Make youth engagement part of the organisation's values and strategy, and value youth and popular education movements (Actions 1–2) |
| Collaboration and community | Connect sport, education, local authorities and youth bodies, and give young people platforms to lead community initiatives (Actions 3–4) |
| Youth voice and participation | Consult young volunteers regularly and give them seats in decision-making bodies (Actions 5–6) |
| Volunteering opportunities | Open volunteering roles to all young members and communicate them clearly with co-created plans (Actions 7–8) |
| Support, accessibility and inclusion | Cover volunteers' costs, ensure accessible events and put safeguarding and anti-discrimination measures in place (Actions 9–10) |
| Recognition and incentives | Celebrate young volunteers' contributions and reward them (Actions 11–12) |
| Capacity building and development | Offer leadership pathways, training and mentoring programmes (Actions 13–15) |
The full text, with best practices for every action, is available
here.
How to Sign
Signing is designed to be a manageable first step, not a heavy burden:
- Read the Charter. Go through the 15 actions and see which fit your organisation best.
- Choose your actions. Commit to implementing at least three of them.
- Sign up. Fill in the online form with your organisation's details and chosen actions.
- Receive your certificate. REACH sends a certificate recognising your commitment and the actions you selected.
By signing, your organisation joins a growing international network of Sport for All organisations committed to youth participation, and helps keep the REACH legacy alive.
Ready to Commit?
Giving young people a real voice starts with one decision. Find out more and sign the Charter on the REACH website:
