YouthBank
STORY
The YouthBank story is first and foremost a young people’s story: how they see their communities, what they understand to be the key issues they face, how they believe these should be tackled and what they can do to effectively make a positive change in their communities.
Young people run their own fund
to support youth-led projects that address issues that matter to them.
GROWTH
Young people are the lifeblood of YouthBanks. It’s their energy and imagination that drives and implements all aspects of grant programmes. YouthBank International provides on the ground skills training to make this activity possible and works with local organisations and donors to ensure young people involved have access to
necessary guidance and resources.
DEVELOPMENT
By building on resources and knowledge of YouthBanks, we facilitate the development of new YouthBanks that are more sustainable in other locations. The availability of philanthropic resources and strategic alliances allows all partner organisations to engage in the development of support programmes that provide the learning to influence practice and policy development.
YOUTHBANK MODEL
5
PHASES
18
STEPS
100+
CHALLENGES
Five (5) Phases: Each YouthBank Cycle takes the YouthBank Team through 5 phases. The first four phases build the team’s knowledge about themselves and their communities, and an understanding of their potential as change makers. Developing their skills to make decisions and take action, they are challenged to exercise power in an ethical and value driven way. The fifth phase consolidates what the YouthBank has learned in the first four phases, and identifies and evaluates the changes that have occurred during the process.
YOUTHBANK GOLDEN RULES
While all YouthBanks are given flexibility to develop in a variety of ways to suit local needs, their work is underpinned by a number of key values - YouthBank Golden Rules.
YOUTH LED
OPEN TO ALL YOUNG PEOPLE
PARTICIPATION & INCLUSION
PROMOTING UNDERSTANDING & RESPECTING DIFFERENCE
CLEAR AND FAIR METHODS OF GRANT-MAKING
SAY IT AS IT IS!
DEVELOPING YOUNG PEOPLE’S SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
REFLECTION & EVALUATION
CELEBRATION
THEORY OF CHANGE
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Involving young people in projects that they design and run for themselves is a potent way of engaging young people in their community.
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Devolving responsibility and accountability by placing decision-making about small scale resource allocation into the hands of young people to act philanthropically provides them the opportunity to bridge divisions, take leadership roles, stimulate entrepreneurial spirit while challenging negative perceptions about what they can achieve.
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Utilising a grant-making process for that purpose means that young people become more aware of the needs and aspirations of their local community and how they can make a difference.
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By encouraging involvement in a voluntary action where the issues more closely match young people's own concerns creates a positive dynamic where trustful, inclusive, empowering, respectful relationships can thrive. Young people develop soft skills employability.
Integrating the best existing practices and insights to work with young people within the community at all levels to create a sustainable environment that has the power to empower and change the perception of young people and shift their Perspective on them and their local community.With Participatory Grantmaking as an instrument, YouthBank Model improves the quality of life, overcome fears and feelings of isolation, build confidence and skills, increases employability and enable young people to take charge of their future and the future of their community.
Long-term change of young people occurs only when we change the perception of the system towards them and their perception of themselves, society, and community. With the growth of self-confidence, responsibility, and empowerment, they will become those who will be able to influence the change of their reality and have the opportunity to become proactive participants in society as citizens, employees, entrepreneurs, and leaders.