Suggestions for starting or improving youth participation projects are presented for staffs in a broad range of agencies--Red Cross, YMCA/YWCA, Boy and Girl Scouts, alternative community-based programs, and government agencies dealing with youth. Two central concerns are greater involvement of young people already in contact with youth-serving agencies and design of activities and projects to attract more young people. Section 1 defines youth participation and gives reasons and rationale for youth participation programs. An example in Section 2 shows barriers to a successful program; very basic advice is given. Expanding on this advice, Section 3 outlines suggestions for dealing with initial barriers: identifying needs and assessing their potential for youth participation projects, obtaining support, recruiting particpants, and cooperation with schools. Section 4 addresses some of the most difficult barriers that may be encountered: the management scheme, youth involvement in planning and decision making, the design of seminars to encourage reflection, and evaluation. Some minor but typical problems examined in the final section are transportation, liability for injuries, constraints related to the Fair Labor Standards Act, confidentiality, and conducting surveys. A sample interview instrument and insurance program, icebreakers, and sources for information and background materials are appended. (YLB)