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CSW68 Pitch: Involve youth in decision-making, policy and implementation at all levels in the fight against poverty and gender inequality

 

During the CSW ngo-briefing on the 22nd of januari 2024, pitches were given to the Dutch CSW68 delegation with recommendations from the civil society. They had a clear message: involve us and listen to the insights of people living in poverty to work towards the goal of equal rights more effectively. 

 
Veerle Dams, advocacy coordinator at CHOICE, speaks on the importance of involving young people in decision-making, policy and implementation at all levels in the fight against poverty and gender inequality.

 

“The upcoming CSW theme opens an unmissable opportunity to enable young people to become changemakers, by ensuring accessible youth-friendly financing mechanisms for the achievement of gender equality. In an era where the voices and actions of young people shape our present and future, it is imperative to prioritize their needs and ensure they have the necessary resources and capacity to become agents of change. 


While various funding mechanisms claim youth-friendliness, the specific needs and priorities of youth often go unnoticed and youth are left out of co-designing them, resulting in insufficient funding and tokenistic approaches. This is why we need to ensure funding that is designed and allocated with and for youth-led programs and initiatives, and thus, accessible, inclusive, sustainable and sensitive to youth needs. 


To foster youth-friendly financing mechanisms, we recommend to: 
· Ensure that the pre-conditions for meaningful youth participation are met, by ensuring quality education, including digital and financial literacy; dismantling stereotypes, and removing age-restrictions and bureaucratic hurdles that hinder young people from meaningfully participating in decision-making processes 
· Ensure that funding is youth-friendly, by simplifying grant application processes, reporting mechanisms and compliance requirements; and promoting trust-based, multi-year, flexible funding for youth-led organizations and youth activists. 
· Prioritize inclusivity, by offering funding opportunities in multiple languages, promoting targeted support for marginalized groups, and prioritizing participatory-grantmaking processes 
· Support the strengthening of youth-led organisations, by establishing platforms for networking opportunities for young people to connect with donors, and by creating capacity-building programs that are tailored to the needs of young people 

· Create a system of intergenerational and cross sectorial solidarity, where governments, CSOs and the private sector work together to transform the funding landscape into a more youth-friendly space 


In conclusion, we urge the Netherlands to champion youth-friendly finance mechanisms in the upcoming CSW negotiations. By redefining traditional funding mechanisms and placing youth at the forefront of decision-making processes, we pave the way for a more equitable and empowered future where gender equality is not just a goal but a reality. Thank you.” 

 

See all the Dutch civil society's CSW68 recommendations here, in Dutch and English.  


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