Who Decides? Youth-Led Funding and Participatory Philanthropy
Climate and nature finance has grown dramatically in recent years, yet a persistent challenge remains: how to ensure resources reach the people and organizations delivering change on the ground. While billions are committed through global funds, philanthropic institutions, and development programs, local leaders, youth movements, community organizations, and frontline practitioners often struggle to access the flexible, long-term funding needed to turn ambition into implementation.
This discussion will explore how philanthropy and climate finance can evolve to better support delivery, not just commitments. Participants will examine emerging approaches such as participatory grantmaking, youth-led funding models, local climate funds, and community-driven decision-making processes that seek to move resources closer to those most directly affected by climate and nature challenges.
At the heart of the conversation is a question of power as much as finance. Who decides where money flows? What would it mean for communities, young people, and local organizations to have a greater role in setting priorities and allocating resources? And how can funders balance accountability requirements with the flexibility and trust needed to support innovation and long-term impact?
As climate action increasingly shifts from pledges to implementation, attention is turning to the ""last mile""—the point at which funding translates into real-world outcomes. This conversation will explore how more transformational approaches to philanthropy and climate finance can help bridge the gap between global ambition and local delivery, ensuring that resources reach the people best positioned to create lasting change.
Discussion Group Leaders
Pradnya Haldipur is Founder of Strategy.Creativity.Mentorship, advancing sustainable strategy and philanthropic partnerships for social impact organizations.
Reeve Isaacs Smith is Fundraising & Partnerships Lead at MicroLoan Foundation, advancing women's economic empowerment, climate resilience, and food security across sub-Saharan Africa.
Discussion Questions
What are the biggest barriers preventing climate and nature finance from reaching local communities, youth leaders, and frontline organizations?
How can participatory grantmaking and community-led funding models improve both equity and effectiveness in climate philanthropy?
What does transformational philanthropy look like in practice, and how does it differ from traditional approaches to funding climate action?
How can funders balance accountability, scale, and risk management while shifting greater decision-making power to local actors and communities?"