While there is a growing recognition of the importance of youth engagement in food system decision-making and governance, existing research remains largely theoretical or anecdotal, with a scarcity of empirical studies providing robust data on the engagement and meaningful participation of young people in food systems. A first step towards providing such data is having strong, validated metrics and data-collection methods that can be applied comparably across contexts. This scoping review thus synthesises evidence on metrics and methods used to assess youth engagement in policy processes, with a specific focus on food system-related policies.
Following a systematic search, the review’s analysis reveals diverse approaches, including quantitative indicators as well as qualitative frameworks. The analysis suggests that these metrics vary across cultural and geographic settings, but effective methods to capture the nuances of youth engagement are lacking. Limited comparative analysis of engagement metrics among diverse groups is noted, suggesting areas for further research to address these gaps. The review results also highlight the need for more comprehensive and contextualised evaluations.
It is important to develop robust, flexible, and inclusive approaches to measuring and understanding youth involvement in policymaking, a crucial area for promoting healthy, sustainable, and resilient food systems for young people – and for all population groups.