Ramallah: Ramallah Youth City Council (RYCC)

The Ramallah Youth City Council consisted of establishing a permanent, democratically elected body that enables children aged 14–17 to participate meaningfully in local governance and municipal decision-making in the city of Ramallah, Palestine. The practice was established in 2008, coinciding with the centennial celebrations of Ramallah Municipality, reflecting a broader shift toward contemporary, participatory, transparent, & inclusive local governance.

The  RYCC operates through a three-year term based on a transparent and standardized election process conducted across governmental, private, UNRWA, and schools serving children with hearing disabilities. This ensures equitable representation of children from different neighbourhoods, educational systems, and social backgrounds. Following elections, council members engage in a structured methodology that includes civic education, internal bylaws, leadership and human rights training, weekly meetings, and direct dialogue with municipal officials and departments. Safeguarding standards, parental consent, and accessibility measures—such as sign language interpretation—are integrated throughout all phases of the practice.

The practice addresses the limited inclusion of children in formal decision-making despite their significant share of the population, transforming participation from minimal participation into an institutionalized governance mechanism. Children contribute to discussions and initiatives related to children rights, education, safety, social inclusion, gender equality, & civil peace, with their inputs documented, followed up, & reflected back through municipal channels.

Over time, the Youth City Council has generated long term impacts by strengthening children's civic skills, increasing institutional responsiveness, & fostering trust between children & local authorities as well as increasing their agency & self esteem resulting by implementing their own set plans. It has influenced municipal approaches to child & youth-responsive services, informed strategies especially in regard to the child-friendly city strategy, and strengthened coordination across departments. Formally embedded and supported through a protected municipal funding through the Education Tax Committee allocated budget, the practice has contributed to the permanence of participatory democracy in Ramallah, positioning children not as beneficiaries, but as legitimate civic actors shaping their city & its future.

For more information, please visit: https://ramallah.ps/en 

https://www.oidp.net/docs/repo/doc1833.pdf 

https://www.oidp.net/docs/repo/doc1834.pdf