Engaging the Next Generation: CAMPO’s Resourceful Approach to Youth Involvement in Transportation Planning

Youth Involvement in Transportation Planning: CAMPO’s Best Practice Approach

Engaging younger generations in long-term planning can be tough — especially when your resources are limited. But what if creative, low-budget solutions could help you not only connect with youth but shape the future of your community? 

That’s exactly what the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) achieved—and they did it so successfully that they earned the PublicInput Resourceful Innovator Award because of it!  CAMPO proved that you don’t need deep pockets to make a real difference in community engagement.

Turning Challenges into Opportunities

CAMPO’s strategy isn’t just about saving money—it’s about finding more effective ways to reach and connect with the community. By using digital content and gathering direct feedback from youth, they built  a sustainable, meaningful engagement model. 

Here’s what we can learn from their success, regardless of budget size:

1. Keep It Relatable with Short-Form, Digital Content

Like many metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), CAMPO faced a common challenge: a lack of public awareness about who they are and what they do. To build long-term engagement, they needed to reach a younger audience—but with limited resources, that wasn’t easy. Instead of investing in costly production, they used short-form videos to simplify complex topics and highlight why their MPO matters. Paired with in-school announcements, these videos provided an affordable, effective way to inform and engage students while staying within budget.

Actionable Tip: To capture young audiences’ attention, keep your videos short, engaging, and tailored to the platforms your audience already uses. Consider leveraging TikTok or Instagram for maximum reach.

2. Tap into Real-Time Feedback for Meaningful Insights

Instead of guessing what young people wanted, CAMPO went straight to the source. They brought together a youth focus group to weigh in on everything from transit plans to safety measures. This direct feedback helped them craft messages that truly resonated with their audience.

Actionable Tip: Don’t rely on guesswork—ask your target audience for their input! Whether through surveys, focus groups, or social media polls, gathering real-time feedback ensures your efforts are more relevant and impactful.

3. Build Sustainable Engagement Practices

CAMPO didn’t just try something new and call it a day. Their youth engagement approach worked so well, it became a permanent part of their strategy. By sticking to affordable, effective methods, they’re ensuring young voices continue to shape their community’s future—without wasting resources on large-scale efforts that wouldn’t resonate. This ongoing commitment helps build stronger connections that last.

Actionable Tip: Look for engagement strategies you can repeat without breaking the bank. When you find something that works, make it a regular part of your outreach.

4. Celebrate Success and Share What You’ve Learned

CAMPO’s Resourceful Innovator Award proves what’s possible with creative thinking and dedication to community involvement. Their success demonstrates  you don’t need massive resources to make a real impact – you just need smart strategies and genuine commitment.

Actionable Tip: Found something that works? Share your insights! Spreading success stories helps strengthen community engagement efforts for everyone.

Take Action and Maximize Your Impact

Creating meaningful connections with your community doesn’t require a fortune. By following CAMPO’s playbook, you can build stronger, more inclusive engagement – especially with young people. 

Ready to create your own success story? Here’s how:

• • • Register for the Upcoming Webinar
      Join us on March 26 for a special session celebrating all of our award winners, featuring community engagement best practice insights from Herocrats author Allison Bell.  
    • Why PublicInput?
      Discover how PublicInput simplifies community engagement for state and local governments. From outreach to analytics, our all-in-one platform helps you connect with residents effortlessly.
    • Talk to An Expert
      Want to create more accessible, data-driven, and equitable public engagement? Let’s talk.