Durham Strategic Plan Dashboard
Prosperity
Status Indicator: 
In Progress | 
On Hold | 
Complete/Ongoing
Initiative: 3.12 Create and amplify youth leadership and decision-making in local government and throughout Durham
Connected, Engaged, & Inclusive Communities
Description
Young people are key constituents in Durham, making up over 20% of the population (2023 ACS, US Census). They experience Durham as fully as adults do, with their own unique perspectives. Yet they are chronically excluded from decision making spaces, tokenized, and very rarely given any real decision-making power. We need intentional and explicitly tailored strategies that create opportunities for young people to engage in community decision-making. We will support young people ages 13-24, along with City and County staff and community partners, in building these opportunities and in celebrating the experiences and work of young people across Durham. We will continue to center young people whose identities are most excluded.
Key Measures & Data Analysis
We have exceeded our target number of new, paid youth leadership positions due in large part to the work of our Durham Youth Leadership Fund grantees, plus our partnerships across the City and County. Many of these new positions were possible because a new youth engagement structure was built within an existing program or engagement, such as with the Durham County Department of Public Health and internally within the Community Partnerships and Engagement Department. We expect the number of youth leadership positions to continue increasing throughout the rest of the year as we explore new partnerships for youth decision making and engagement.
Decision Making Opportunities for Youth
Why is it important?
Although other initiatives in this objective area may include young people as part of their engagement efforts, young people are not explicitly centered. We have seen time and time again that when engagement efforts are designed without young people as partners, and without consideration of barriers specifically impacting young people, young people do not engage. When programs and spaces are created with young people as partners and leaders, we expect to see a Durham that reflects what young people actually want and need. We expect to see policies and programs that are responsive, relevant, and have impact.
What have we been doing?
Staff have continued expanding opportunities for youth leadership through initiatives such as the Durham Youth Leadership Fund (DYLF) and Changed by Youth Ambassadors (CBY) programs. These programs provide funding, training, and support for youth-led and youth-serving projects that build leadership skills and strengthen community connections. Youth were also integrated into engagement efforts such as the Budget Community Conversations, where youth consultants supported facilitation, recruitment, and documentation.
Key activities include:
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Launching and supporting 18 DYLF Cycle 3.0 community-based youth leadership projects focused on: strengthening cultural and community connections; promoting mental health and well-being; and skill-building outside traditional classrooms.
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Engaging youth ambassadors in community engagement efforts in both leadership and advisory roles.
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Planning and launching CBY 5.0, including application outreach and preparation for training.
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Strengthening partnerships with youth-serving organizations across Durham, and providing consultation and training to practitioners in building youth engagement and leadership opportunities.
What's next?
Efforts to expand youth leadership and engagement opportunities will continue through the following activities:
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DYLF Project Implementation – Supporting community- and youth-led grant projects through ongoing technical assistance and regularly convening grantees for skill- and community-building.
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DYLF Progress Review – Conducting a mid-year review to assess outcomes, progress, and any support needed.
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CBY 5.0 Training and Evaluation – Launching training and evaluation activities for the new cohort, connecting youth ambassadors to various decision-making opportunities across the City, and supporting them in planning a youth-led community event for other young people in Durham.
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Youth Engagement Events – Supporting youth-led community engagement opportunities and activities.
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YODurham Network Launch – Expanding opportunities for practitioners to convene for skill- and community-building and enhanced alignment.
City Website Home Page: Durham, NC | Official Website (durhamnc.gov)
Budget Website Page: Budget & Management Services Department | Durham, NC (durhamnc.gov)
Budget and Management Services Department
Office of Performance and Innovation
Strategy and Performance Division