This comprehensive findings document emerged from a local roundtable discussion organized by the Social Developmental Forum (SDF) and the Palestinian Non-Governmental Organizations Network (PNGO) as part of the global "Change the Code" campaign, held in collaboration with ActionAid and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

 

Navigating a highly complex humanitarian context shaped by occupation, political division, and economic instability, Palestinian youth aged 18–29 represent the country's largest demographic but remain largely excluded from leadership, frequently relegated to tokenistic implementation roles rather than genuine decision-making spaces.

 

To address these deep-seated structural barriers, power imbalances, and economic precarities, the document outlines critical systemic reforms. These essential transformations demand that the international and local humanitarian sectors shift from symbolic consultations to true shared power by establishing direct funding for youth-led initiatives, creating national youth humanitarian networks and incubators, mandating youth representation in coordination mechanisms, and lowering rigid professional barriers to officially recognize grassroots volunteer expertise.