Walking the talk: How youth philanthropy is navigating the global polycrisis and redefining inclusive development

Photo by Nawsheen Hosenally on Flickr

By Thembekile Maseko (Executive Director) and Vanessa Naa Ayeley Aryee (Programmes Lead), African Youth Philanthropy Network

As the world grapples with overlapping global crises — ranging from climate change, wars, conflicts, growing inequality, and democratic backsliding to technological disruptions — a new generation of philanthropists and practitioners is emerging with fresh perspectives and innovative approaches. Youth-led philanthropic initiatives are not merely responding to these intersecting crises but fundamentally reimagining the relationship between giving, social change and inclusive development. The African Youth Philanthropy Network (AYPN) is an ecosystem that seeks to influence the agenda for youth giving and philanthropy across the African continent by acting as a support system for youth-led initiatives and a catalyst for development.

The emergence of youth-led philanthropy amid global challenges

The polycrisis reflects the interconnected and compounding nature of today’s global challenges. One crisis feeds another, creating a web of complexity that no single entity can unravel alone. While this might seem daunting, it is precisely in this complexity that youth-led philanthropy finds its strength. Young philanthropists have proven uniquely equipped to navigate this complexity, bringing digital fluency, cross-cultural awareness, and systems thinking to bear on entrenched challenges.
During the 2024 Global Youth Philanthropy Summit in Nairobi, Dr Rachel Martinez, Director of the Global Youth Philanthropy Institute, shared insights from her decade-long research on youth-led initiatives. “What sets young philanthropists apart,” she explained in her keynote address, “is their intuitive understanding of how today’s challenges are interconnected. They are not just using digital tools; they are fundamentally reimagining how we approach social change in a connected world”. This perspective has led to the emergence of what some might call ‘networked philanthropy,’ which is collaborative and technology-enabled giving that transcends traditional geographic and sectoral boundaries. It is also on this premise that ecosystems such as the African Youth Philanthropy Network have been established. 

Redefining inclusive development

Youth philanthropists are challenging conventional notions of donor-beneficiary relationships and what constitutes ‘development’. The rise of participatory grant-making models, where communities have a direct say in how resources are allocated, reflects this shift. For instance, the Sunrise Youth Foundation, a member of the AYPN network, has pioneered a ‘collective impact’ approach where young donors work alongside community members as equal partners in programme design and implementation. This approach shifts the traditional top-down model, redefining development as a collaborative process rooted in local knowledge and shared decision-making

These initiatives are also expanding the definition of philanthropic resources beyond financial capital. Gen Z, in particular, being digital natives, are leading the way in reshaping philanthropy through the adoption of AI and digitisation, using digital platforms to transform giving and foster trust. 
Young philanthropists continue to challenge and redefine traditional development narratives as we know them. Rest Philanthropy, a member of the AYPN network, goes beyond charitable giving and incorporates mental wellness into its programming, creating a haven for those in need of emotional healing, personal growth, and support on their journey to mental wellness.

Key drivers in youth-led philanthropy:

1. Digital integration and technological innovation: Youth-led philanthropic initiatives are distinguished by their sophisticated use of technology – Integrating blockchain technology¹ for transparent fund management and impact tracking, utilising AI tools to improve efficiency, and leveraging social media platforms to narrate their impact stories to a global ecosystem. This integration of digital tools enhances operational efficiency and builds trust with stakeholders and donors.
2. Community-centred design and participatory approaches: Contemporary youth philanthropy is redefining the traditional donor-beneficiary relationship. Instead of top-down approaches, many youth-led initiatives embrace participatory methodologies that position communities as co-creators of solutions. The African Youth Philanthropy Collective, for instance, has pioneered a model where local communities hold significant decision-making power in resource allocation and programme design. The model, known as ‘The Development Alternative (TDA) Cookbook for Youth-Led Accountability’, focuses on how young people can hold development actors accountable, ensuring the projects they implement align with the needs and wishes of communities.
3. Building sustainable infrastructure: The sustainability of youth-led philanthropic initiatives depends heavily on robust organisational infrastructure, establishing strong governance structures and succession planning. These elements are essential for enhancing the resilience of youth philanthropy, ensuring continuity, and providing a clear pathway for progression and leadership transition.
4. Intergenerational collaboration and knowledge transfer: Bridging generational gaps in the philanthropic sector is vital for successfully scaling youth-led philanthropic initiatives. Collaborative partnerships facilitate knowledge transfer while maintaining the innovative spirit of youth leadership.

Addressing contemporary challenges

1. Resource mobilisation in a dynamic environment: Youth-led initiatives often face unique challenges in securing sustainable funding. The Global Philanthropy Report² indicates that while youth-led organisations demonstrate high-impact potential, they receive only four per cent of global philanthropic funding. Alternative funding models, including hybrid financing structures and impact investment approaches, are emerging to address this gap.
2. Policy advocacy and systemic change: Policy frameworks must be adapted to better support youth-led organisations, including simplified registration processes and appropriate regulatory frameworks. AYPN’s policy working group, representing members from 15 countries, has developed a comprehensive framework for youth-friendly philanthropic policies that is currently being piloted in several African nations. 

A call to action

As the global polycrisis evolves, strengthening and scaling youth-led philanthropic initiatives becomes increasingly crucial. The global philanthropy ecosystem has a unique opportunity to drive systemic change by investing in youth-led initiatives and embedding youth leadership into global philanthropic strategies.
The philanthropic sector, particularly in Africa, must make deliberate efforts to include the youth as equal partners in development. This requires offering direct financial support, fostering cross-sector collaborations, and creating spaces for youth leadership within philanthropic architecture.
Strengthening youth philanthropy is not simply a moral imperative; it is a strategic necessity for creating a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable world. The sector’s challenges are unprecedented, and the solutions must be equally bold.

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1. Making sense of bitcoin, cryptocurrency and blockchain: https://www.pwc.com/us/en/industries/financial-services/fintech/bitcoin-blockchain-cryptocurrency.html 

2. Johnson, P. D., Christine Fandrich, Alexandra Geller, Stephen Johnson, Colleen Kelly, Christine Letts, & Sam Skowronek. (n.d.). Global Philanthropy Report. In Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. https://www.hks.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/2023-09/global_philanthropy_report_final_april_2018.pdf

As the Executive Director, Thembekile Maseko leads AYPN’s strategic vision and growth. She oversees the management, program development, and partnerships, ensuring that AYPN’s initiatives align with its mission to empower African youth. Thembie, as she prefers to be called, actively engages with stakeholders across the continent, fostering collaborations and driving youth-led philanthropy.

Vanessa brings a wealth of experience and passion to her role as the Programs Lead at AYPN. Driven by a commitment to amplifying the voices of young changemakers, Vanessa oversees the planning and execution of key programs and initiatives. She designs and implements strategies to engage young philanthropists and development agents across Africa, ensuring alignment with AYPN’s mission. 

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