You should also test your idea on your endorsers with decision-making power and give them the opportunity to provide feedback. At this stage, you might still be in the process of convincing them to endorse the project. Inviting the (potential) endorsers to co-create the project with you and the young people from the onset of the project will enhance your chances of achieving your goals. It will give them a sense of ownership if they feel included and listened to – and this can potentially have great impact in the end. They should feel that the project is as much theirs as it is yours. The endorsers with the decision-making power are the ones who can guarantee the influence you seek for young people.
When you first have your endorsers on board you should do your best to make them stay there. This means keeping them continuously involved and updated on project developments. Your endorsers will also have important knowledge of upcoming political decisions to be made or other relevant events, so you can time your project accordingly. If you decide to invite the decision-makers to be part of the steering committee it is important that different opinions are represented, so the project will be as balanced as possible. If you for instance work with politicians, you should invite representatives from both left-wing and right-wing parties. And if you work with stakeholders, you cannot only invite representatives from NGOs; other types of organisations should be involved too.