Evaluation of youth work in local governments in the context of participation: The case of Balıkesir Metropolitan Municipality

The changes that have occurred in various fields throughout history have also made themselves felt in the concepts of participation, local governance, and youth on which the research is based. When considered within the framework of participation, it is observed that youth studies carried out by local governments have begun to find their place in activities and legislation, influenced by the changing consciousness of citizenship. The study first conducted a literature review and focused on the development of concepts along the timeline. Subsequently, Then, it was examined how the legal processes and developments were handled both in terms of local governments and in the context of the concept of youth participation. After the relevant literature, for the example of Balıkesir, Balıkesir Metropolitan Municipality, Balıkesir City Council and Balıkesir Provincial Directorate of Youth and Sports, which works in constant cooperation with local governments despite being an organ of the central executive, were examined. The study was completed by evaluating the impact and power of youth activities carried out through these institutions on participation.