WORLD – The 2025 United Nations Peacebuilding Fund Thematic Review on Youth, Peace and Security found that involving young people in peacebuilding programmes can strengthen their participation in decision-making at the local, national and regional levels, while creating opportunities for them to take on greater roles in peace and security processes.
The review was conducted by the United Nations University Centre for Policy Research (UNU-CPR), commissioned by the Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO) in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), UNICEF and the UN Climate Security Mechanism.
Published on May 13, 2025, the review draws on an analysis of 41 projects supported by the Peacebuilding Fund across 33 countries and territories between 2018 and 2022.
Expanding Youth Participation in Decision-Making
The review found that PBF-supported programmes helped expand opportunities for youth participation by establishing or supporting youth councils and representative bodies, while strengthening dialogue and connections between young people and stakeholders involved in peacebuilding efforts.
The projects also supported the creation of youth networks and coalitions, as well as the development of national action plans on Youth, Peace and Security, alongside national youth policies and strategies.
Youth’s Role in Conflict Prevention
According to the review, young people participated in a range of peace and security processes, including conflict monitoring and local mediation, giving them a direct role in addressing tensions and promoting stability within their communities.
The review also stressed the importance of giving young people, particularly young women, opportunities to lead initiatives and demonstrate their abilities in practice. Such opportunities can help break down stereotypes and barriers that limit youth participation.
Addressing Economic and Social Challenges
The review emphasized the need to incorporate economic and social components into most Youth, Peace and Security programmes, noting that socioeconomic challenges are often linked to youth exclusion and vulnerability.
It also highlighted that greater economic participation can create opportunities for young people to engage more actively in public life and peacebuilding.
Building Sustainable Youth Platforms
The review called for national and regional youth platforms and strategies to be built on strong local foundations, warning that without such foundations, initiatives risk becoming merely symbolic and failing to ensure meaningful youth participation.
It also recommended greater investment in staff time and resources to support an approach that takes into account the diverse experiences and intersecting forms of exclusion among young people. This includes strengthening outreach and trust-building with youth, their families and surrounding communities from the early stages of projects.
Involving Youth in Programme Evaluation
The review underscored the importance of directly involving young people in monitoring, learning and evaluation, arguing that their participation can strengthen accountability and give them greater influence in shaping and improving youth-focused programmes.
The review also examines four key areas: youth participation in local decision-making, peacebuilding and conflict prevention; youth engagement in national political processes, peace and transition mechanisms; an intersectional approach to Youth, Peace and Security programming; and the role of youth in climate, peace and security and environmental peacebuilding.
