2025 PBF Thematic Review on Youth, Peace and Security

The landmark UN Security Council Resolution 2250 (2015) on Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) recognized the important and positive contribution of youth to the maintenance and promotion of international peace and security. To explore how these commitments are being taken forward in practice, UNU-CPR led the research for the 2025 Peacebuilding Fund Thematic Review on Youth, Peace and Security. The Review draws from 41 peacebuilding projects supported by the PBF over the last five years, spanning 33 countries and territories, to consider different models and mechanisms for expanding youth participation, how to better integrate responses to youth socioeconomic needs, and strategies for bridging the gap in direct funding and support for youth-led initiative.

The standalone Executive Summary of the Thematic Review is available in English, French and Spanish.

UNU-CPR separately published the four cohort case studies that the Review was based upon. These focused on four key practice areas or types of youth peacebuilding work:

In addition to these cohort case studies, this project page shares some of the additional stories, interviews, and evidence gathered in the course of the Thematic Review related to YPS advancement. Some of this material is included in the full Thematic Review, while others reflect supplemental interviews with youth researchers and activists.

We also feature two Q&As with youth researchers who supported the Review, providing additional perspective on the opportunities and challenges they observed across different country contexts.