The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030) acknowledges youth as critical actors in achieving global restoration goals. Despite this recognition, the participation of diverse youth in restoration policy and implementation is constrained by systemic barriers relating to governance, funding, implementation and capacity.

These policy coherence gaps are addressed in a new report by The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration Youth Task Force, titled “Policy coherence gaps affecting youth-led ecosystem restoration: insights from multi-regional youth initiatives”. Presenting findings from a literature review, exploratory youth survey, and four regional focus group discussions across Africa, the Asia-Pacific, Europe, and Latin America & the Caribbean, the report represents the first global systematic analysis of barriers and enablers for youth participation in ecosystem restoration policies and practice. 

The report highlights the need to institutionalize youth in decision-making processes, establish dedicated youth restoration finance mechanisms, and build youth capacity through training and mentorship. It also identifies strong opportunities for advancing intergenerational governance, locally led restoration, Indigenous stewardship, youth entrepreneurship, and ecosystem restoration education. 

By facilitating knowledge exchange between youth restoration practitioners, policymakers, donors and civil society actors, the proposed learning session will empower Decade partners to engage meaningfully with youth actors and increase youth participation in the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.

Register your participation here.