Youth, Peace and Security ten years on: Including young people in building peace is more important than ever

This year marks the tenth anniversary of the adoption of United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security. The resolution, passed in 2015, was the first time a dedicated UN Security Council resolution recognised the unique role of young people in sustaining international peace and security. In the subsequent decade, there have been many laudable steps forward, but greater investment is needed to fulfil the ambition of this landmark agenda.  

The statistics around the global youth population are striking: half of the world’s population is under 30, and one in four of those young people live in contexts affected by violence or conflict. And as the number of violent conflicts continue to rise, the negative impacts of climate change escalate, and political and civic space constricts, the knock-on effects on young people will only worsen. Higher rates of displacement, economic hardship and exposure to violence will be the reality for a larger number of young people than ever before. At the same time, young people who want to work towards making the world a safer place have fewer opportunities and resources. The resolution – which outlined key pillars around participation, protection, prevention, disengagement and reintegration, and partnerships – provided a promise to young people around the world that their role, involvement and aspirations were being taken up at the highest levels. But progress is stagnating.  

With aid budgets rapidly shrinking resulting in sharp reductions in investment for peacebuilding and conflict prevention, the Youth, Peace and Security agenda risks falling further behind. A recent report by the Global Public Policy Institute maps these stark trends. International donors reduced their spending on conflict prevention and peacebuilding by 17 per cent between 2018 and 2023 (a reduction of USD$871 million). The Institute’s models forecast a further 34 per cent reduction in 2025 compared to the 2021–2023 average, considering a trend towards spending cuts by the US, UK, Sweden and Germany, among others. While it is difficult to accurately pinpoint how much of this reduced funding goes to work carried out by or with young people, a 2023 report estimated that just 10.63 per cent of the UN’s peacebuilding investment went towards youth-led efforts. It is likely that the cumulative global percentage – from institutions without such a clear mandate to support youth peacebuilding – is significantly less. Already underfunded, the Youth, Peace and Security agenda might land on the cutting room floor. Combined with the intersecting impact on young people from cuts to education and healthcare, including women’s health, this presents a stark picture for the world’s vulnerable youth populations, who are already marginalised from power and economic opportunities. 

This is a flawed strategy for those governments and donors who wish to promote a democratic, participatory and representative form of politics and governance – and support positive visions for peace. Here are three key issues for them to keep in mind: 

1. Social movements around the world are harnessing young people’s needs 

Young people have been central to social movements demanding political change, putting themselves at considerable risk as civic space shrinks globally. Many young people are fed up with the status quo and the empty promises of their leaders, and are increasingly willing to challenge power – for example, the ‘Gen Z’ protests in Kenya saw young people take to the streets, frustrated by lack of opportunities, runaway corruption and police brutality.  

Young people have played instrumental roles in building peace in their communities – when they are actively included, employed, and given the tools to engage in peace activities, the impact can be huge. Young people are proving innovative in the use of technology to mobilise their constituencies, publicise theft of public resources and expose corrupt leaders. Given the opportunity, there is huge potential for young people to contribute to innovative peacebuilding tools and approaches. Yet, there is still limited investment in their peacebuilding potential or inclusion in decision-making, which is even more stark when looking at the role of young women or youth from marginalised groups. With massive cuts to aid budgets and increasingly squeezed civic space, their exclusion and frustration is only likely to increase. 

2. Illiberal forces are competing for this demographic 

At the same time, the assumptions made under the Youth, Peace and Security agenda about the value of democratic governance should not be taken for granted. Young people have decreasing trust in democratic institutions and increasingly feel that decision-makers do not listen to them. There are other illiberal trends emerging in young populations. In the US, recent polling found that 31 per cent of young people aged 18–29 ‘do not express that they value core democratic principles and processes, have low confidence in the system as it is working now, and demonstrate higher support for authoritarian governance’. In Africa, a report by Africa Barometer covering 39 countries, showed there is decreasing trust in the leadership of democratic institutions among youth populations. In the UK and in Europe, evidence shows an increase in support for misogyny among young men. This is not happening by chance. Illiberal, anti-democratic and anti-diversity groups are actively trying to court this generation to achieve their political aims and ensure their long-term survival. This has been made easier due to a general decrease in trust in Western liberal governments. For many, this is underscored by issues such as perceived hypocrisy and inaction around addressing climate change or support and cover for the occupation and potential war crimes of the Israeli government on the Palestinian people in Gaza's population. Addressing this crisis of confidence in governance and promoting intergenerational solidarity should be priorities.  

3. Young people remain critical in securing peace 

There is a need for greater focus on the role of young people in building peace and in addressing their legitimate grievances. On this International Youth Day – ten years on and in a very different global landscape from where we were in 2015 – Saferworld calls for an investment in the potential of young people coupled with concrete action to include them in the decisions that will shape their future.  

There are many examples from where we can draw inspiration and understand the crucial role of young people in building peace. In Kyrgyzstan, for example, the young women and men Saferworld and our partners have been working with in border regions of Batken province are leading their own initiatives aimed at sustaining peace, following the signing of border deals with Tajikistan and Uzbekistan that largely put an end to many decades of tensions and conflict. These initiatives have included young people from  bordering countries of the Fergana Valley, providing platforms for dialogue and cooperation.  

In Kenya’s pastoralist regions, communities such as the Pokot, Turkana, Marakwet and Sebei have participated in decades of recurring violence fuelled by cattle rustling, competition over natural resources and historical grievances. Our partners at the Pokot Youth Bunge County Forum (PYBCF) have worked to break these cycles of violence, placing young people at the forefront of the response and involving them in initiatives to prevent conflict and promote community resilience.  

For international donors who initially supported the Youth, Peace and Security agenda ten years ago, now is not the time to withdraw. Instead, donors should be finding creative ways to provide flexible funding directly to local groups who are led by or that support diverse young people’s participation in peacebuilding and governance efforts. From our work we know that the active engagement of young people can make a critical difference in averting violence and war. Let's help fulfil that promise.