Accelerating the YPS Agenda

Andrea (Moderator, MGCY / Global Youth Caucus on SDG16)

Hi, good morning. I'm Andrea. I'm with the Major Group for Children and Youth and the Global Youth Caucus on SDG16. I'm also a YPS Officer at Youth Transforming Narratives. This event is co-sponsored by the YUNGO Working Group on Climate Peace and Security, the Global Youth Caucus on SDG16, and the Major Group for Children and Youth.

Today, we'll be talking about addressing financing gaps for youth-led peacebuilding initiatives and proposing solutions that align funding with the YPS agenda and the Youth 2030 priorities. We'll also be soliciting inputs for the 2025 Peacebuilding Architecture Review and for the Financing for Development processes.

Jo (Program and Technical Specialist, UNFPA)

Next year, 2025, is a very crucial year because it's a combination of many processes. It's the 10th anniversary of YPS and the 25th anniversary of the WPS agenda. It's also the mandated time for the Peacebuilding Architecture Review. We also have the Financing for Development Conference in July and the Second Social Summit.

We are very excited that with the Pact of the Future, member states have recommitted to YPS. One particular action we're excited about is the request for a second Progress Study on the implementation of YPS.

On institutionalization: we now have six National Action Plans fully developed, with over 60 being developed around the world. However, a lot of those action plans still have zero budget attached. There is basically no implementation.

At the UN level, we have over 300 YPS focal points. We also revived the Group of Champions of YPS with co-chairs Finland and Jordan. However, we are at a record low on number of references to youth in resolutions. The number of briefers to the Security Council decreased from nine to three last year.

On financing: we need more money, but we also need to understand this money. The systems still don't track youth funding. Youth-led organizations can't access a lot of resources — they still rely on intermediaries or bigger organizations. One very concerning trend is the crackdown on civil society spaces. Civic space is shrinking, and young people are reporting more violations and reprisals.

Emanuel (MGCY / WEF Global Shapers)

To address financing gaps, there are two angles. On the donor side: risk and selection. On the youth-led organization side: accessibility and capacity. Despite there being risk with youth-led organizations, if donors value grassroots work, they must become less paternalistic and take on higher risk.

Steps: streamlining the application process; increasing the diversity of funds (if there's a youth mental health fund, I'm more applicable); and contributions of non-earmarked funds giving greater flexibility for operational costs. While risk should be minimized, using intermediary organizations is still a practice to help allocate funds and provide financial and professional development.

Sakshi (YUNGO Working Group on Climate Peace and Security)

Youth already has the potential, but the question is how we can generate funds. Today's youth also have a lack of awareness about opportunities in the market. Youth represent over half of the global population. India has 365 million youth population, yet their voices often remain marginalized.

Challenges: funding priorities towards traditional sectors; restrictive regulations such as foreign contribution laws; and lack of trust between government, international stakeholders, and grassroot organizations. Solutions: local ownership, trust building among stakeholders, and collective action.

Salma (Major Group for Children and Youth)

Youth from the MENA region face systematic barriers. At SB6 in Bonn Climate Conference, so many youth from the Global South were not able to attend due to logistical barriers. When we talk about Palestine, Lebanon, Sudan, Ukraine, Congo — youth are responding with remarkable resilience but need more resources and platforms.

We need more conflict-sensitive hackathons, summits, and forums. We barely address the outcome of coming from a conflict — refugees are marked as a red line. I have friends who are refugees, and for them to practice advocacy or establish initiatives, it's really hard. We always insist on having us more involved in decision and policymaking because we're going to lead in the future.

Arian (MGCY / Effective Altruism Hong Kong)

Two hours ago we received an email that our organization can host a side event at the Munich Security Council. We were able to do this because one year ago, our organization handed in a draft about youth peace and security in the Summit of the Future.

From local practice to international practice, the most important thing is scalability. If you're from a more conflicted area, focus on on-the-ground work and connecting with the international level. If you're from a more international city, focus on getting people to listen to your policy solutions.

John (International Association of Youth and Students for Peace)

IAYSP's Peace Designer Training teaches participants to create peace projects by addressing specific community issues. In the Balkans, IAYSP has trained over 170 youth. The University of Business and Technology in Kosovo and the University of Tetovo in North Macedonia have partnered with IAYSP.

Three crucial steps: invest in education and resources; integrate local voices into national and international policy; and forge collaborative partnerships. Peacebuilding networks should ensure smaller and diverse organizations' voices are heard and strengthened.

T (MGCY Humanitarian Affairs Focal Point)

In humanitarian settings, one of the most impactful yet often overlooked resources is the youth itself. Sustaining youth-led peacebuilding efforts in environments where resources are limited requires strategic thinking and resilience.

Three strategies: strengthening local capacities and leadership skills; leveraging technology and digital platforms for cross-border collaboration; and mobilizing local resources and community support. Sustaining youth-led peacebuilding is not just about securing funding — it's about creating an environment where youth are supported and empowered.

Group 1 Reporter

Most effective financing models: grants (direct, diverse); direct funding and donations; stakeholder matchmaking. Changes needed: streamlining applications, place-based development sensitivity, increasing capacity building. Recommendations for PBAR and FFD: transparent reporting and tracking mechanisms, meaningful youth inclusion, increase communication of global initiatives at local level.

Group 2 Reporter

Decentralized peer-to-peer funding using blockchain; direct donation platforms; flexible financing models. Simplify the funding process to be transparent and trust-based. Promote self-sustaining models to reduce dependency. Recommendations: direct funds towards youth-led organizations, equitable distribution towards marginalized regions, promote cross-sector collaboration.

Group 3 Reporter

Apply for funding from other countries when your own government can't provide. Prepare proposals in advance in accordance with community needs. Stress the importance of intermediary organizations. Recommendations: invest in proper communication on social media about funding opportunities; create spaces where youth and businesses can meet; invest in youth-led organizations, not just youth-serving ones.

Group 4 Reporter

Microgrants work well with less administrative burden. Need more flexible funding considering the changing nature of peacebuilding work. Increase access to marginalized communities and make them aware of opportunities. Build mentorship networks. The PBF fund gives 40% to local-led initiatives and 60% to international organizations — it should be the other way around.

Andrea (Moderator, Closing)

Thank you everybody for participating. Next year is a really big year for YPS, especially with the 10th anniversary coming up. Financing will be a big discussion point in high-level spaces. Keep being active in this space.