Breaking barriers: youth with disabilities leading peacebuilding

Across the 2025 Peacebuilding Fund Thematic Review on Youth, Peace and Security (YPS), it became evident that young people with disabilities face unique, layered forms of exclusion that are often invisible in mainstream programming. The report recognized that youth with disabilities face compounded exclusion from education systems, political spaces and even their own communities. In some areas, disabled youth were described by community members as bearing a “triple burden” of age, gender and disability.

Two projects were highlighted for their intentional focus on youth with disabilities: in Guinea-Bissau and Somalia, teams worked with local disabled youth organizations, adapted materials and created physically accessible venues. In Guinea-Bissau, young women with visual impairments received tailored training and participated actively in peacebuilding discussions – something that would have been unimaginable without early planning and inclusive design.

Elsewhere, inclusion happened more organically, but no less impactfully. In Sri Lanka, a mentor fluent in sign language was included to provide consistent support for a participant with hearing impairment throughout the project. In El Salvador and The Gambia, simple but effective tools like accessibility checklists, community partnerships, and budget allocations for transport and childcare made the difference between symbolic and substantive participation.

Still, achieving true inclusion has a long way to go. A review of 153 youth-focused projects revealed only a few were designed with disability-specific components. Post-project evaluations echoed what young people had already voiced: inclusion must be intentional, and it must begin from the very first stages of development.  

The projects included in the review showcased how inclusion goes beyond physical access. It's about voice, visibility and dignity. When youth with disabilities are given a space to lead, they bring perspectives shaped by resilience and insight that enrich peacebuilding efforts for everyone.

This is a case study taken from the 2025 Peacebuilding Fund Thematic Review on Youth, Peace and Security (YPS). Explore the full Thematic Review on YPS to learn how peacebuilding initiatives can be reimagined to include all youth – without exception.