Children and youth in Colombia’s peace agreement implementation: From recognition to realization

Children and youth are heavily affected by armed conflict, yet they are often overlooked during the implementation of peace agreements. This brief presents findings from the MicroPeace project on the implementation of Colombia’s 2016 Peace Agreement. Evidence from fieldwork across conflict-affected regions suggests that formal recognition in the Peace Agreement does not automatically translate into local acknowledgement, voice and benefits for young people. A survey of more than 600 bureaucrats suggests that community demand for protecting and representing young people is a key mechanism linking formal recognition to implementation outcomes, shaping bureaucrats’ willingness to prioritize them in local implementation processes.