Young people are often asked to join decision-making tables—just not when money is involved. Even when projects directly impact them, funding decisions are usually made by others. Youth-led financing mechanisms offer a practical alternative: they give young people the authority to decide where resources go, especially within communities that are typically underfunded or overlooked.

In this article, I draw on personal experience—from securing over 15 scholarships to participating in youth-led grantmaking—to explore what happens when young people are trusted to manage funding. Through concrete case studies and reflection, I show how these models can make funding more relevant, accessible, and effective.

Exploring the challenges

Despite representing 1.8 billion people globally, youth - and gender-focused programs - remain underfunded. In 2020, only 5.5% of total official development assistance (ODA) from the top ten gender equality donors was directed to initiatives targeting young people aged 10-24, equivalent to $7.6 billion. The funding for youth-led organizations is even scarcer, with adults often reluctant to grant young people real decision-making power. As noted in Resourcing GirlsYouth programs are frequently adult-led, limiting meaningful participation by young people in funding decisions.

According to the OECD's 2020 report on digital financial inclusion, nearly half of the 1.8 billion young people aged 15-24 worldwide lack a basic bank account, with over 60% in regions like Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, North Africa, and Latin America and the Caribbean excluded from financial services. This systemic financial exclusion disproportionately affects vulnerable groups, including females, rural youth, and those from the poorest 40% of their countries, locking them out of grantmaking opportunities. Additionally, many grantmaking institutions impose restrictive eligibility criteria, such as legal registration requirements, which often disqualified nascent youth-led organizations, grassroots movements, or those working on politically sensitive issues. As a result, funding tends to favor a small, privileged group of youth with access to the right networks and resources, leaving marginalized youth, such as those living with disabilities or lacking internet access, underfunded. To address these disparities, it is crucial to refine funding criteria and better support community-based organizations, which are more connected to the local needs of vulnerable youth but often struggle to meet technical requirements for funding.

Shifting Power Dynamics with Youth-Led Financing

Traditional funding structures—whether in development agencies, philanthropy, or government—typically centralize financial decision-making among senior or external stakeholders. Youth are often included in limited advisory roles but rarely hold authority over how funds are distributed.

Youth-led financing mechanisms are a structural response to this gap. They transfer budgetary and strategic decision-making to young people, often through youth-led councils or participatory grantmaking processes. This model reduces transaction costs associated with intermediary organizations and increases the relevance of funded projects by aligning decisions with the lived realities of target communities.

Examples such as the Juntanza Fund and the EU Youth Empowerment Fund demonstrate how youth-led models can operate at scale, with built-in accountability, localized knowledge, and peer-to-peer review processes. Other notable examples include Grand Challenges Canada, the Women Deliver Small Grants for Young Leaders, and the United Network of Young Peacebuilders (UNOY) sub granting program, all of which continue to build and support youth leadership globally. As a result, these mechanisms can lead to more targeted, cost-effective, and contextually appropriate funding outcomes.

Case Studies: Youth-Led Decision-Making in Action

Comic Relief’s Juntanza Fund: Empowering Youth-Led Change
Juntanza is a participatory fund driven by a Youth Advisory Council from five countries. The name Juntanza is a nod to the collaborative spirit of Afro-descendant communities in Colombia, emphasizing collective action. The council defined criteria and selected grantees for youth-led projects tackling poverty, education, mental health, and leadership. Notable examples include the Arable Community Based Organization in Kenya, which promotes sustainable farming practices and income security for youth, and Fundación Maleua in Colombia, which provides mental health services to Afro-descendant communities and migrants. In the U.S., Diversify Our Narrative led advocacy efforts for a more inclusive education system. Juntanza shows how youth-led grantmaking can prioritize long-term, community-driven outcomes often overlooked by traditional funders.

EU Youth Empowerment Fund: Catalyzing Youth-Led Change Across Europe

Another powerful example of youth-led decision-making is the EU Youth Empowerment Fund, launched in October 2023 as part of the European Union’s Youth Action Plan. With a €10 million budget, this fund is dedicated to supporting youth-led initiatives that promote sustainable development and address key global challenges. What distinguishes the EU Youth Empowerment Fund is its commitment to involving young people in every aspect of the decision-making process—from selecting grantees to designing and leading projects.

In addition to funding, the EU Youth Empowerment Fund offers mentoring, capacity-building, and networking opportunities to ensure that young leaders are not only managing grants but also developing the skills needed to create lasting change. This comprehensive support strengthens youth-led initiatives and amplifies their impact, giving young people the tools to lead sustainable change within their communities.

Empowerment Through Education: Securing Scholarships & Matthew Effect

Reflecting on my personal journey, I can confidently say that access to education—and the scholarships that made it possible—has been a transformative force in my life. Growing up in Argentina, I faced multiple challenges, both financial and systemic, that could have limited my ability to pursue higher education and international opportunities. Yet, through perseverance and securing over 15 scholarships—including Fulbright, PEO, OAS, and Columbia University’s Merit-based Scholarship—I was granted the financial support and freedom to carve my own path.

These scholarships empowered me to travel, engage in global policy discussions, and contribute to shaping the future of youth-led financing. As the Regional Coordinator for the Americas at the United Network of Young Peacebuilders (UNOY) and former executive Director at the Argentine Organization of Youth for the United Nations (OAJNU), I witnessed firsthand the impact of youth-led initiatives and the importance of equipping young people with the tools to manage and direct funds for projects that meaningfully impact their communities.

Moreover, the experience of securing scholarships taught me the invaluable lesson of financial autonomy in pursuing one’s goals. By gaining control over my education and career trajectory, I was able to make decisions aligned with my values and passions. This sense of autonomy deepened my commitment to ensuring that other young people, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds, have the same opportunities to lead and create change.

However, my journey also illuminated the persistent presence of systemic inequalities, particularly the Matthew Effect, which shapes access to education and opportunities. This concept, originating from the Gospel of Matthew in the Bible, is often summarized by the phrase “For to everyone who has, more will be given.” The Matthew Effect in education refers to how individuals or groups who already have advantages—whether financial, social, or cultural—tend to receive even greater benefits, compounding their success over time. This effect disproportionately benefits those from wealthier families, who have greater access to resources like high-quality education, tutoring, extracurricular activities, and networks, thereby creating a cycle of privilege. Conversely, those from disadvantaged backgrounds often face significant barriers to these same resources, limiting their ability to fully realize their potential.

The Matthew Effect in education doesn’t just influence access to institutions; it shapes the opportunities for advancement within those institutions. Wealthier students are more likely to have access to opportunities like internships, mentorships, and scholarships, which further their academic and professional trajectories. In contrast, students from lower-income backgrounds are often left without the same support structures, facing obstacles that undermine their chances of success and upward mobility. This deepens the educational divide and perpetuates social inequality, restricting access to the kinds of opportunities that can drive lasting change.

Throughout my scholarship journey, I’ve come to recognize the importance of addressing these systemic imbalances. Financial autonomy was key to my ability to pursue my goals, but I also became increasingly aware of how difficult it can be for others to reach the same level of opportunity. The Matthew Effect is a powerful force that disproportionately disadvantages those who need opportunities the most. It’s a reminder of how deeply rooted inequities continue to shape the educational landscape, restricting the opportunities for social mobility that many students deserve.

Drawing from the lessons learned throughout my scholarship journey and my work in youth-led financing initiatives, I am committed to dismantling these barriers. My goal is to create opportunities that empower young people from all backgrounds—especially those from underserved and marginalized communities—to pursue their dreams, lead with purpose, and drive meaningful change. By ensuring that more young people have access to the same opportunities that shaped my own educational path, I aim to contribute to a future where every individual, regardless of their socioeconomic background, can have the chance to lead and create a more equitable, empowered world for all.

Conclusion: A Call for Change

Youth-led financing mechanisms present an essential shift in the way we approach global challenges, as they empower young people—especially those from marginalized communities—to directly influence how resources are allocated to address issues such as climate change, inequality, and social justice. The transformative impact of these programs, such as the EU Youth Empowerment Fund and Comic Relief’s Juntanza Fund, goes beyond merely providing financial support. Philanthropic organizations, multilateral institutions, and governments must prioritize youth-led financing by increasing funding for youth-led initiatives, reducing bureaucratic barriers, and institutionalizing participatory grantmaking models. Additionally, donors and policymakers must actively engage young leaders in shaping funding strategies to ensure that resources are distributed equitably.

By granting youth decision-making power, these initiatives foster a sense of ownership and responsibility, ensuring that young leaders have the autonomy to create lasting, sustainable solutions tailored to their communities. This approach not only challenges traditional funding models but also sets a precedent for the future of leadership, where young voices are integral in shaping the systems that affect them.

In reflecting on my own experiences with scholarships and youth-led initiatives, I see a clear connection between financial autonomy and the ability to drive meaningful change. While the benefits of securing scholarships and financial support have been instrumental in my own personal and professional growth, it is crucial to recognize that many young people, particularly from disadvantaged backgrounds, face significant barriers in accessing such opportunities. Youth-led financing mechanisms are a step toward dismantling these barriers, ensuring that all youth, regardless of their background, can lead with purpose and contribute to a more just and equitable future. The time to rethink and reimagine who gets to decide how resources are distributed is now, as it is these empowered young leaders who will chart the course for tomorrow’s world.

Biography

Bahía Gatti is a Fulbright Scholar and Master's candidate in International Affairs at Columbia University, specializing in Technology, Media, and Communications. Originally from Argentina, she has over eight years of experience in youth leadership, public policy, and international development. Bahía currently serves as Regional Coordinator for the Americas at the United Network of Young Peacebuilders (UNOY) and is a Youth Advisor at Comic Relief. She has previously led advocacy, funding, and policy initiatives with organizations such as the EU-LAC Foundation, UNDP, and the Government of Córdoba.

Bibliography

Arutyunova, Angelika, and Amy Babchek. 2022. Resourcing Adolescent Girls to Thrive: A Report Exploring Where Is the Money for Adolescent Girls’ Rights Using an Ecosystem Approach. April 2022. Co-research team: Ruby Johnson, Boikanyo Modungwa, and Emily Battistini.

Comic Relief. 2021. "Comic Relief US Youth Advisory Council Launches Juntanza Fund to Provide Grants to Youth-Led Programs and Changemakers Igniting Global Social Change."

Comic Relief. 2023. "Comic Relief US Announces Its New Youth Advisory Council Members."

Pisoni, Delia. 2021. "An Unaffordable Fringe of Society? The Matthew Effect in Dual-Vocational Education and Training Programmes for Disadvantaged Youth in Switzerland."

Resourcing Girls. 2023. Resourcing Adolescent Girls to Thrive.

UNOY. 2024. Annual Plan 2024.

Women Deliver. 2023. Equitable Youth Engagement and Co-Leadership: A Guide and Call for Youth Partnership and Investment.