The European Youth Forum supports youth NGOs in their endeavours to establish well-functioning, democratic, transparent and inclusive platforms at the national level - National Youth Councils (NYCs), with a strong level of representation. Some of the principles related to the crucial role NYCs play in national youth policy and youth work development are laid out in the  Position Paper on the Independence of National Youth Councils.

In countries where such platforms do not yet exist, or organisations are trying to consolidate themselves to build a larger collective voice for youth, the European Youth Forum supports such initiatives and assists the youth NGOs in their creation.

In situations where youth NGOs are submitted to attacks on their independence and sustainability, YFJ proposes Guidelines for the Response to Violations of the Rights of Organisations entitled “You never walk alone,” concrete actions to take in situation of rights infringements.