The decisions that shape young migrants' lives are still mostly made without them: who can move, who gets protection, who goes to school, who gets a work permit.
The Migration Youth and Children Platform (MYCP) exists to change that. Our principle is simple: nothing about migration policy without us.
This post sets out the concrete ways you can take part, whether you have ten minutes or ten months, whether or not you have lived experience of migration, and whether or not you have any policy background.
Why youth participation in migration policy matters
Migration policy is often written about young people, but rarely with them. That gap has real costs.
When young people aren't involved, policies miss what actually happens on the ground: the support service no one hears about, the school that enrols a child but doesn't keep them safe, the referral that stops when a family moves again.
Young people affected by migration see these failures first. Meaningful participation turns that knowledge into better decisions. Here is what makes participation meaningful, not tokenistic.
Where MYCP fits
MYCP is the youth constituency on migration within the UN Major Group for Children and Youth (MGCY). Since 2021 it has also been the official body for youth participation in the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD).
That gives our members a direct route into global processes, including:
the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) and its regional reviews
UN processes on children's rights, climate mobility, data and ending violence against children
5 ways to shape migration policy with MYCP
Pick the route that fits the time you have.
- 5 minutesJoin the network
- An hourShare your input in a consultation
- A few daysApply to the MYCP Policy Lab
- A few monthsTake on a role on a team or committee
- A projectPartner with MYCP
1. Join the network
Joining the MYCP network is the first step. Members get:
calls for consultations, surveys and policy submissions
openings to speak or take part in UN and GFMD processes
opportunities such as the Policy Lab, the Youth Leadership and Innovation Award and team roles
connection to young advocates and youth-led organisations across regions
Both individuals and youth-led organisations can join. Join the MYCP network →
2. Apply to the MYCP Policy Lab
The MYCP Policy Lab is an online programme where young people work with policymakers, international experts and practitioners to turn ideas into policy.
The recent edition focused on climate, migration, AI and the future of work. Participants:
learn how policy is made inside international organisations
explore the issues through an intersectional lens
work in teams to write a policy brief on climate, labour and migrant youth inclusion
present their recommendations at the end of the programme
You don't need a policy background. The Lab is built for young people with lived experience of migration or displacement, and for anyone ready to learn the process. Find out about the Policy Lab →
3. Share your input in consultations
MYCP regularly gathers young people's views to feed into global policy. Recent examples:
Global Youth Consultation on Ending Violence Against Children (October 2026). Young people from five regions sent written submissions and joined eight multilingual live rooms and thematic roundtables. Their input is shaping MYCP's work at the 2026 Global Ministerial Conference in Manila, including the Global Youth & Survivor Declaration.
GCM regional review youth policy surveys for Africa, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East and North Africa.
The Climate Mobilities Youth Declaration, built from youth consultations on climate mobility.
How we protect you when you share:
Taking part is always voluntary. You can skip any question or stop at any time.
You don't need to share personal or painful experiences to be heard. Your ideas and recommendations are what count.
We tell you how contributions will be used and anonymised.
We report back on what happened to the recommendations.
No call open right now? Join the network to hear about the next one first.
4. Take on a role
If you want to commit more time: MYCP is run largely by young people in volunteer and coordination roles across regions and themes. Opportunities have included:
Coordination Team roles: regional focal points, thematic leads and officers
research taskforces responding to UN calls for input
thematic teams on health, climate mobility, narratives and more
Roles open at different times of year, and members hear first. See current openings →
5. Partner with us
Are you a youth-led organisation, NGO, UN agency, government or donor? Partner with MYCP to:
co-design consultations that pass the five tests of meaningful participation
bring youth input into a policy process or event
support youth-led initiatives through programmes such as the Youth Leadership and Innovation Award
What your input can change
Participation is only meaningful if it changes things. Through MYCP, young people have:
delivered statements at GCM regional reviews, including at the Palais des Nations in Geneva
taken part in GFMD sessions alongside governments and civil society
published regional youth policy briefs on the Global Compact for Migration
produced the Climate Mobilities Youth Declaration
built an evidence base on violence against children on the move, and brought it to the 2026 Global Ministerial Conference in Manila, where MYCP co-organises the Humanitarian and Climate Thematic Focus and is helping shape the Global Youth & Survivor Declaration
Explore the research and statements in the MYCP Knowledge Hub.
FAQ
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No. MYCP centres young people with lived experience of migration and displacement, but allies, students, researchers and youth-led organisations are welcome too.
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No. Programmes like the Policy Lab are designed to teach the policymaking process. Your experience, perspective and ideas are what matter.
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MYCP works across regions and runs multilingual activities. The October 2026 consultation used eight live language rooms. Each call lists the languages offered.
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No. You never have to disclose personal or traumatic experiences to take part. You can contribute ideas, recommendations and expertise, and you can choose to stay anonymous where the format allows.
Nothing about migration policy without us .
Migration policy will be made with or without young people. The question is whether it reflects what young people actually face.
Start today: join the network, apply to the next Policy Lab, share your input in a consultation, or take on a role. Every route gets youth experience into the rooms where decisions are made.
