The purpose of Co-operative Party Youth is to:

• Recruit young members into the Co-operative Party, support, educate and develop them and also to encourage their participation in other Co-operative Party structures and the wider co-operative movement.
• Support the NEC of the Party in the fulfilment of its objectives, notably to secure direct Co-operative representation in Parliament, Scottish Parliament or Welsh Assembly, with a view to the establishment of the Co-operative Commonwealth.

• Youth reps coordinate the work of our youth members and organise campaigns, training sessions and social events in their region or nation.
• Youth reps have an annual budget to fund these activities, and work alongside local parties and partners across the co-operative, trade union and labour movements.
• Youth reps also support the Party nationally in helping get more people involved in the Party as officers, delegates and candidates.
• Youth reps meet during the year by conference call as the National Youth Committee and are also ex-officio attendees at Co-operative Party Annual Conference.

• have a keen interest in co-operative politics and the work of the labour and cooperative movements;
• like to organise events like training workshops, campaign sessions and socials;
• enjoy networking with other members and partner organisations;
• interested in organising campaigns and events in your area;
• want to help more young people see the value of engaging with politics.

Don’t worry if you don’t think you have all the skills needed – we will provide you with the training and support needed to help you along the way.

One representative will be elected from each nation/region with all woman shortlists (AWS) used in four nations/regions:

• Northern Ireland
• Scotland (AWS)
• Wales
• East of England (AWS)
• East Midlands (AWS)
• London
• North East and North Cumbria
• North West
• South East
• South West
• West Midlands
• Yorkshire and the Humber (AWS)

• 10 July: Nominations open (candidates will be able to self-nominate)
• 6 August: Nominations close
• Week commencing 14 August: Electronic voting instructions issued and voting opens
• 23 August: Voting closes
• 25 August: Results announced
• 2 September: Youth Conference, Manchester (induction for new committee)

• Under Co-operative Party Rules, to vote in these elections you must have applied to join three months before nominations close (i.e. applied to join before 30 April 2017).

• Under Co-operative Party Rules, to stand in these elections you must have applied to join nine months before nominations close (i.e. applied to join before 30 October 2016).
• You must have your registered address in the region or nation you are standing in. The exception is for students who may choose to stand in the region or nation for their home address or their term address (if different).

• Candidates will be able to self-nominate using an online application form.
• Candidates will be asked to submit a recent photograph and 100-word statement setting out why they are standing for election.
• Candidates may also submit a video of up to two minutes and contact details such as Twitter handle and email address which will be shared with eligible voters.