What changes when young people are trusted with real money and real decisions? Youth participation is often about having a voice, being consulted or taking part in co-creation. But what happens when young people are given real resources, responsibility and the power to decide?

In this hands-on masterclass, we will use a guided money-and-trust exercise, real-life examples and young people’s perspectives to explore the connection between money, power, trust and meaningful youth participation. Participants will discover the YouthBank model — an approach that puts young people at the centre of funding decisions, from shaping priorities and mobilising resources to deciding which youth-led projects receive funding. We will explore how YouthBank complements approaches such as participatory budgeting, and what different models of funding and decision-making mean for autonomy, responsibility and trust.

If you work with young people and want to move from “giving them a voice” towards giving them real power, this masterclass is for you. The question is simple: Are we ready to trust young people with the resources to shape their communities?