Beyond Tokenism: From Project Results to Real Inclusion in Youth Work
Youth Power Germany presents the results of the BETYLI project during a dissemination activity held on 15 August 2026.
From Project Results to Real Inclusion in Youth Work
Youth Power Germany presents the results of the BETYLI project during a dissemination activity held on 15 August 2026
On 15 August 2026, Youth Power Germany e.V. implemented a dissemination activity dedicated to presenting the final results, tools and learning outcomes of the European project “Beyond Tokenism: Youth Leading Inclusion – BETYLI.”
The activity created an opportunity to introduce the resources developed throughout the project while also opening an important conversation: What does inclusion really mean, and how can youth organisations ensure that young people are not simply represented, but actually have the power to participate, influence and shape decisions?
BETYLI was created precisely to address this challenge. Funded through Erasmus+, the project runs from 1 March 2025 to 31 August 2026 and brings together organisations from Croatia, Spain, the Netherlands and Germany. Its central objective is to combat tokenism and support youth organisations in transforming diversity and representation into genuine, meaningful participation.
From representation to real participation
Including young people in an activity, consultation, event or decision-making process does not automatically make that process inclusive.
Tokenism can happen when individuals from underrepresented groups are invited to participate primarily to demonstrate diversity, while having little influence over the decisions being made.
Young people might be consulted but never learn what happened with their contribution. They might be invited to speak while adults continue to hold all decision-making power. An organisation may appear diverse in photographs or communication while the structures behind those activities remain unchanged.
Real inclusion goes further.
It means creating environments where young people have access to information, feel safe enough to express themselves, can contribute according to their different needs and realities, and importantly, can see that their contribution has an impact.
BETYLI therefore approaches inclusion not simply as representation but as ensuring that different voices are heard, valued and able to influence their communities and organisations.
During our dissemination activity, this distinction between being present and actually participating was central to presenting the project’s results.
Turning inclusion into practical action
An important strength of BETYLI is that the project does not stop at discussing tokenism theoretically. It provides youth workers, educators, young people and organisations with practical resources that can be used to reflect on existing structures and improve them.
During the dissemination activity, we presented and explored several of these final project results.
Decoding Influence: The Participation Simulator
The Participation Simulator helps organisations assess how much influence young people truly have. Based on Hart’s Ladder of Participation, it highlights power imbalances and offers recommendations for stronger, more meaningful youth participation.
Inclusion Index Calculator
The Inclusion Index Calculator allows organisations to reflect on areas such as representation, participation, accessibility, tokenism prevention and organisational impact. It provides feedback and recommendations to help turn inclusion from an intention into concrete action.
Inclusion Toolkit
The Inclusion Toolkit: A Practical Guide to Combating Tokenism offers youth workers and educators practical workshops, reflection activities and methodologies that can be used in everyday youth work to create more inclusive and participatory spaces.
eLearning Course: Tokenism vs. Authentic Inclusion
The eLearning Course combines videos, quizzes, case studies and reflection activities to help youth workers and young people better understand tokenism and explore strategies for authentic inclusion. A final assessment also allows learners to receive a certificate of completion.
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A long-term commitment to genuine inclusion
BETYLI also created the Declaration on Authentic Inclusion and an International Network for Genuine Inclusion, bringing together 40 European organisations committed to strengthening meaningful participation and sharing inclusive practices beyond the project period.
Real inclusion cannot be achieved through one activity or project. It requires continuous reflection on accessibility, organisational culture, power and decision-making.
Why this matters for youth work
Youth work plays an important role in creating spaces where young people are not only present, but also heard and able to influence decisions.
When young people see that their ideas have an impact, participation can strengthen confidence, belonging, civic engagement and democratic culture.
Moving beyond tokenism therefore means asking not only who is represented, but also who has influence, who makes decisions and whether young people can genuinely shape the processes that affect them.
From project results to everyday practice
Our dissemination activity on 15 August 2026 was not only about presenting the final BETYLI results, but also about encouraging these tools to continue being used in youth work.
The Participation Simulator, Inclusion Index Calculator, Inclusion Toolkit, eLearning Course and BETYLI network provide practical resources for organisations that want to strengthen meaningful participation.
Inclusion should not end with giving young people a seat at the table. Real inclusion means giving them the possibility to influence what happens around it.
♦ Discover the project and its resources
Official Project Website:
https://www.tokenism-project.eu/
Project Results and Tools:
https://www.tokenism-project.eu/results/
BETYLI at Youth Power Germany:
https://yp-de.org/projects/beyond-tokenism-youth-leading-inclusion/
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.