Youth present Child Friendly Cities action plan calling for anti-bullying steps, safer public spaces and more civic pathways

Boulder City Council on May 15 received a youth-led update on the city's Child Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI) and a draft youth action plan that lays out priorities and practical next steps. The youth council, working with city staff and Growing Up Boulder, recommended three immediate priorities: (1) address and reduce bullying; (2) improve safety and belonging in public spaces; and (3) create more, easier pathways for youth to share opinions and participate in city decision making.

The project is part of the UNICEF Child Friendly Cities Initiative, a global program the city joined in April 2023. City staff said the local process paired community workshops, government data and targeted outreach; youth facilitators helped lead conversations that staff said reached more than 900 youth, more than 500 adults and 48 organizations.

Youth priorities and proposed strategies

- Anti-bullying: Youth recommended co-creating an anti-bullying curriculum with students, training youth facilitators, and strengthening adult…