This resource unpacks one of the most pressing and overlooked questions in youth work: how do we compensate young people fairly, not occasionally or symbolically, but consistently, meaningfully, and with care?

Co-created with youth-led groups across Africa, Latin America and the U.S., it offers a grounded, three-tiered model for funders and implementers ready to shift from good intentions to fair systems. You’ll find practical entry points, real-world examples, and a framework that meets organisations where they are. This resource is a call to reimagine compensation as an ecosystem of dignity, opportunity, and equity.

As the global development and funding community seeks to build more just and youth-centred systems, this report serves as both a reflection tool and a practical guide for moving beyond tokenistic involvement towards true partnership and value-sharing.