How the IYPC works

• The 10 values for co-production are a central culture document of the IYPC, created as a resource to guide the relationship between the Collective and Esmée.
• They are a live, working document which is reviewed by each new cohort of the Collective to ensure that they remain relevant to the always evolving collaboration.

Within the collaboration, the values:

• Are used to evaluate the success of the partnership, including via the annual satisfaction survey which helps all parties to understand what is working well and where there is scope for improvement
• Form the basis for the IYPC’s assessment of applications
• Help inform and support conversations with grantees and other partners.

Since the values were published, they have been downloaded 545 times and there have been nearly 2,700 visits to their dedicated web page (both Dec 2025).

Learn more about the values for co-production between young people and organisations.

• The IYPC’s members are spread across the UK, bringing a rich variety of experience to the work. As a result, the majority of IYPC’s meeting time is online and HUDL uses a variety of digital tools to build a team atmosphere.
• Every three weeks, with breaks for summer and Christmas, the IYPC meets to check-in, share updates from the different Work Areas in which they’re involved, and to discuss, plan and prepare for future work.
• Meetings are chaired by HUDL with agendas shared beforehand. All meetings are recorded so members of the Collective who weren’t able to attend can catch-up at a convenient opportunity.
• The IYPC also has in-person away days and retreats throughout the year. The timing and frequency of the gatherings is informed by the needs of the work, but the Collective will typically meet in person 2-3 times per annum, creating 5-6 days of in person meeting space.

• All members of the Involving Young People Collective are involved in the Foundation’s grant assessments, and help the IYPC be a critical friend to Esmée Fairbairn.
• They also have the opportunity to be involved in specific areas of work which reflect their interests and capacity. These are called Work Areas. A Work Area might be linked to a specific project or programme of funding, or it could be related to a particular aspect of Esmée’s work: investments, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion etc. It could also be related to the IYPC itself, for example, recruiting new members of the Collective, storytelling or learning.

• HUDL’s role is to help guide the collaboration process, develop a strategy, facilitate sessions, ask questions, support with the operational delivery and capture learning.
• HUDL works to ensure that young people have enough support and independence to thrive, and that staff have access to training and support to successfully embrace new ways of working.
• HUDL is also responsible for bringing challenge to the work, for all parties, helping them to examine and reflect on their work while remaining focused on overall outcomes and goals.

• In addition to funding the IYPC, the Foundation is an advocate for the work. Internally, Esmée champions the opportunity to work with IYPC consultants, supports staff into working alongside the young people, and commits time and other resources to collaborating with the Collective. This could include explaining an aspect of the Foundation’s work, creating opportunities for members of the IYPC to meet with staff and trustees to learn more about it, as well as exploring how Collective members can have a deeper involvement in that area and listening to their ideas and reflections.
• The Foundation also provides access to staff training and learning exchanges for IYPC members to enable them to successfully fulfil their role as it develops.
• Externally, Esmée shares what it has learnt from working with the IYPC and the impact the collaboration has had, advocating for grantees and other charitable trusts to meaningfully include young people in their organisations and work.