Youth participation is about actively involving young people in decisions and activities. Meaningful youth participation involves provision of real opportunities for young people to become involved in decisions that affect them.

Youth participation is the active engagement of young people throughout their communities. It is often used as a short-hand for youth participation in any many forms, including decision-making, sports, schools and any activity where young people are not historically engaged.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Youth_participation

New Zealand Resources:

Get Involved: youth participation guide, a resource created by young people for young

Youth particpation tool kit: The basics | Non Government organisations|Schools

Youth Development Participation Guide: Keepin' It Real: A Resource for Involving Young People Ministry of Youth Affairs (2003).

Youth Participation Case Studies. Ministry of Youth Affairs (2003). Wellington : Ministry of Youth Affairs.

International Resources:

Participation Works An online gateway for youth participation. 

What Works in Youth Participation: Case Studies from Around the World

Putting Youth Engagement into Practice: A Toolkit for Action. Commonwealth Secretariat (UK, 2006).

Hear by Right National Youth Agency (UK),