The latest Report (June 2025) from the Spark Fund’s Youth-led climate action in Southeast Asia initiative captures how the Spark Fund is redefining philanthropy by putting youth at the center of climate solutions. Through participatory grantmaking in Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, young leaders directed resources, influenced policy, and built regional networks for long-term impact.

This report highlights their journey, the transformative role of flexible funding, and what funders worldwide can learn about trust-based, inclusive climate action, synthesizing learnings from three interconnected learning streams:

1.  Participatory Grantmaking with Young People – examining how youth-led decision-making transforms both participants and outcomes through deep analysis of the Southeast Asia experience;
2. Flexible Funding Impact – analyzing how adaptable resources affect young leaders’ capacity for community change, drawing from Thai Partners and Vietnamese Fellows in Southeast Asia; and
3. Funder Buy-In and Institutional Learning – documenting the strategic value and institutional learning across all five global regions that drives funder adoption of participatory approaches.

Key Learnings

1. Youth as Strategic Decision-Makers – Young leaders demonstrated sophisticated, equity-driven choices, even reallocating resources across countries for greater impact.

2. Flexible Funding Drives Impact – Adaptable resources allowed youth and partners to respond to crises, innovate, and reduce stress compared to rigid funding models.

3. Localization Unlocks Innovation – Trilingual, culturally rooted approaches removed barriers, reaching grassroots groups often excluded from traditional philanthropy.

4. Networks Multiply Change – Regional solidarity led to new collaborations like “The Common Youth” platform and sustained cross-border initiatives.

5. Institutional Evolution is Essential – Funders adopting participatory grantmaking must embrace trust-based relationships, flexible systems, and long-term commitment.

6. Participatory Grantmaking Outperforms Traditional Models – More relevant, inclusive, and innovative outcomes emerge when youth lead decision-making.