PERSPECTIVE PEACE AND SECURITY POLITICAL PARTICIPATION IS KEY How to strengthen youth as peace actors Rhea Mahanta December 2022 • Recognizing that youth are a diverse and intersectional cate­gory is key to designing inclusive frameworks with access points and specialized approaches for marginalized groups including refugee, female and transgen­der youth. • By re-establishing trust in political institutions, adopting a rights-based approach and providing a roadmap for youth participation, states create conditions for the promotion of sustainable peace. • Flexible funding to localize efforts and decolonize aid can shift the balance from youth-centered to youth-led, for long-term structural impact in peacebuilding.