This guidance note provides practical advice and succinct conceptual tools to develop Youth, Peace and Security  National Action Plans that fully integrate security sector governance and reform (SSG/R).

It provides a methodology for incorporating SSG/R into every stage of the National Action Plans lifecycle, from contextual analysis and stakeholder engagement to defining objectives and mainstreaming the five Youth, Peace and Security pillars.

The paper offers practical strategies for mobilizing SSG/R principles to address youth needs, supporting implementation through robust monitoring and evaluation, and overcoming common challenges in the process.

Tailored security strategies should recognize that young people face threats affecting them disproportionately, including police violence and political repression, and should build on youth insights to ensure the prioritization of their rights and protections.

Engaging youth in discussions related to safety, rule of law, and justice can empower them to take ownership of their community, attend meaningfully to its well-being, and contribute to longer-term problem-solving.