Youth participation in local decision-making and peacebuilding

The landmark Security Council resolution 2250 (2015) on Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) recognized the important contribution of young people to the maintenance and promotion of international peace and security. Since then, taking forward the YPS agenda has been a key priority not only at the policy level but also in programming across the United Nations system and its partner organizations, among them the Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund (PBF). Much of this work takes place at the local or community level, including by engaging young people in local or community-based decision-making forums, conflict resolution and conflict prevention mechanisms or other forms of “bottom-up” or local peacebuilding. 

This brief considers some of the lessons learned from that local-level engagement and peacebuilding programming, as part of a larger year-long Thematic Review of the PBF’s support for youth programming and advancing the YPS agenda, in particular as relates to the participation pillar. It examines 12 PBF-supported projects, identifying successful strategies for enhancing youth participation and its impact on social cohesion, conflict resolution and sustainable peace. It also explores remaining challenges and proposes actionable recommendations for strengthening youth inclusion in local peacebuilding efforts.

Access the brief here.