This toolkit, produced by the organization Advocates for Youth, opens with general organizing information for youth activists. There’s information about activist planning, definitions of organizing, and a focus on inspiration alongside strategies for action.

 

The toolkit is aimed specifically at youth working to improve sexual health in their communities, and advocating for more resoruces, education and options surrounding reproductive health. Goals could include anything from increasing ease of access to condoms to lowering rates of sexual assault. 

 

There’s lots of great advice in this toolkit. Two of my favourite tips:

 

1. You’ve got to organize in a way that harnesses your anger, and in a way that makes other people angry. Action is born from anger.

 

2. Think of your activist web as a tree. The roots are the underlying historical, social, economic causes of an issue, the trunk are the structures and policies that institutionalize the problems, and leaves are the effects on the community – otherwise known as the issues you see in your community and want to target.

 

Other aspects of the guide include:

-Goal setting

-Strategic planning

-“Power Analysis” of important people/institutions in your issue

-Harnessing enthusiasm and creating power

-Non-violent action ideas and targets

-Communicating your ideas and new media

-Maps, charts, and checklists for every stage