By Karla Ambrosio and Fernanda Rivera

Global Opportunity Youth Network, Mexico City

Youth Participation and Challenges in Mexico

• Civil society in Mexico is interested in participating in public decision-making, but youth inclusion remains a challenge.
• Young people are generally excluded from these processes, and a more collaborative relationship needs to be forged between them and the government.
• The new head of government of Mexico City has promoted a youth agenda, but institutional changes are still needed to involve young people in policy-making.

“Youth with Opportunity”

• In Mexico City there are 2.35 million young people between 15 and 29 years old considered “youth with opportunity.”
  Of this group, 543,000 are outside the education system and unemployed, and 71% are women.
• Despite structural challenges, when provided with opportunities, these young people can overcome barriers and contribute to economic growth.

“For Youth” to “By Youth” in the Global Network of Youth with Opportunity

• The Global Opportunity Youth Network (GOYN) was launched in Mexico City in 2021, with the support of global actors such as the Aspen Institute and the Hilton Foundation.
• GOYN works to improve economic opportunities for youth through partnerships and collaborative programs.
  A Youth Advisory Group (YAG) was key in ensuring that GOYN initiatives were youth-led.
• In 2022, the YAG strengthened its role in strategic planning and helped define key focus areas such as job opportunities and youth representation in decision-making.
• In 2023, YAG joined GOYN's Board of Directors and Advocacy Committee, launching platforms such as JuventudES and Jóvenes X el Emprendimiento, focused on employability and youth entrepreneurship.
• The first course on “Advocacy for Youth Employability in Mexico” was organized as part of the Youth Advocacy Laboratory project, led by Citizen Initiative.

Advocating for a Public Policy Agenda for Youth with Opportunity

• In 2024, the YAG presented its Public Policy Agenda for Youth with Opportunity, focused on decent employment, technical education and entrepreneurship.
• The YAG highlights that current public policies have limited scope, which affects their effectiveness and exacerbates inequality.

Innovation is not only possible, it is inevitable

• The YAG has driven local policy changes, facilitating initiatives that have shaped government policies for youth.
• However, there is still a need to ensure that policies are fully implemented to improve social and economic inclusion.