Challenges of participatory projects with children in the child-friendly city field (case study: NGOs in Iran)

In recent years, NGOs have increasingly spearheaded initiatives promoting children's participation. This research focuses on identifying the challenges experienced by NGOs active in architecture and urban planning in Iran. Four NGOs and two local activist groups were identified, and 16 members holding roles such as leaders, board members, trainers, facilitators, and public relations representatives were interviewed in depth using a semi-structured format. Atlas.ti 8 software was employed for data analysis. The majority of the NGOs (representing 13 projects) adopted a 'learning approach' to children's participation. Challenges to children's participation were categorized from the NGOs' perspectives. The results revealed three primary challenges: (A) 'Challenges of communication with urban management,' (B) 'Challenges of communicating with children during project implementation,' and (C) 'Structural challenges within the project Process.'