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From Community to Systems: Lessons from community-driven projects

Real, lasting change often starts at the grassroots level, within communities. The International Youth Conference and UN-Habitat provided a vital space to reflect on this power. In 2025, a plenary panel brought together civil society leaders and public sector professionals to analyze how local projects and lived experiences are key to systemic transformation.

Panelists Christian, Mateo, Alicia Garupa, and Jorge shared powerful insights on how collective action and a focus on lived experience are essential to dismantling the barriers communities face.

 

Key Points for Collective Action

 

The conversation centered on the need for institutions to connect their resources to the real needs of the community, as well as the challenges that arise when navigating institutional willingness and the resistance to change.

 

1. The Power of Experiential Knowledge and Counter-Narratives

 

Christian emphasized that the knowledge stemming from the lived experience of community members is an invaluable asset. He argued that in the face of dominant narratives (such as the excessive policing in schools, which he cited with specific data from LAUSD), storytelling and empathy are the first steps toward creating a powerful counter-narrative. This authentic, life-centered narrative must drive advocacy efforts aimed at decision-makers.

 

2. Navigating the Tension Between Needs and Resources

 

A significant barrier, pointed out by Christian, is the tension between community needs and the desires of funding institutions (the "nonprofit industrial complex"). It was stressed that grassroots projects should not be belittled for being "small" or local. It's vital that individuals with privilege or institutional connections leverage their position to secure support and resources, but always centering the conversation on what communities, through their own resilience, know they need.

 

3. Addressing Barriers to Entry and the Redistribution of Power

 

Mateo highlighted the barriers to entry for young leaders, such as a lack of credibility and tokenism. Their message was clear: anyone can get involved. The work relies on leadership and organization, and sometimes, on having the initiative to forge the space for yourself (using inclusive language as requested: "forjar el espacio para ti misme").

From a public sector perspective, Alicia Garupa addressed the resistance to the redistribution of power and resources within systems. She advocated for an approach where power is ceded and guaranteed to reside within the community, highlighting the Community Schools model as a strategy to break the separation between school staff and families by actively involving voices traditionally kept off the table.

 

4. Beyond Politics: Trust, Security, and Mental Health

 

Jorge, discussing the challenges faced by young advocates, identified the gap between research and policy (the failure to implement data-based proposals). He pointed out two critical challenges for youth participation:

  • Mental Health: Anxiety and uncertainty about the future undermine the capacity for action, meaning institutions must invest in mental health to empower young people.

  • Security: In hostile environments, public advocacy can be dangerous. The solution is to create their own safe spaces so that communities can design their priorities.

To ensure communities believe in youth-led projects, Jorge proposed that it all comes down to building trust (citing the ABC model of Little Trust Works): build Abilities in collaborators and make the cause Believable.

 

An Invitation to Reflect

 

This event reminded us that systemic change is an arduous task requiring collective action, distributed leadership, and a constant willingness to center the voice of the community.

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We invite you to share your thoughts on this plenary. How can we better support youth-led initiatives to address these systemic barriers? What storytelling or trust-building strategies have you found to be particularly effective in your experience?

Let's continue this important conversation and work together so that lived experience drives the transformation our systems need.

CHRISTIAN (Intern, Daily Health for Health Intervention Practice and Policy Research Hub)

I was part of the 2020 census campaign efforts, educating people about the importance of the simple demographic survey and its impact on funding for states. I'm currently an intern at the Daily Health for Health Intervention Practice and Policy Research Hub, engaging in Community Participatory Research. This type of research involves bringing participants in as part of the research team.

In a specific project, our team collaborated with organizations like Trans Coalition and Talk LA to co-design a research question and an HIV prevention intervention that directly supports trans women of color navigating systematic marginalization.

I want to use this platform at the international youth conference to amplify issues regarding the over-policing of Black and Brown students in Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). Between 2014 and 2017, Black youth accounted for of the population yet of all arrests. Latinx youth accounted for of the district population yet of those involved in LA School Police District incidents. This raises the question of whether policing keeps community members safe, especially given the increase in serious incidents between 2017 and 2023.

I highlighted the work of coalitions like the Dignity in Schools Coalition and Students Deserve. My classmate Tiana and I worked with Dr. Turner, Sally, and Laura to raise consciousness about this issue. We developed a "policy leave behind"—a two-page document sent to policymakers—to address "soft policing." Soft policing is the mechanism by which policing culture is reproduced in schools. We collaborated with the Alliance for Boys and Men of Color to educate policymakers that policing is reproduced by everyone.

Two key lessons:

  1. Connect your support and resources to community groups who have been doing this work, meeting them where they are and asking what they need.

  2. Center the lived experience of community members when proposing solutions, as they are tired of being consulted without direct action connected to their needs.

MODERATOR/HOST

Christian, thank you for sharing. In the interest of time, we'll quickly move on. I'd like to pass the floor next to Mateo.

MATEO (Local Diplomacy Aid at Max Without Borders; Global Youth Ambassador for Their World; Positive Peace Ambassador for IEP)

My name is Mateo, and I'm a 22-year-old youth leader. I am a Local Diplomacy Aid at a small NGO called Max Without Borders (headquartered in The Hague). I'm also a volunteer youth tutor through the International Rescue Committee (IRC), mentoring local refugee and asylum-seeking high school youth. I am a Global Youth Ambassador for Their World and a Positive Peace Ambassador for the IEP (Institute for Economics and Peace).

The main message is that anyone can get involved, even if they feel underqualified or lack a "super fancy title." You don't have to be a founder or entrepreneur. The work done by a volunteer or someone behind the scenes is essential and counts toward the bigger picture.

ALICIA GARUPA (Chief of Well-Being and Support Services)

I oversee Well-Being and Support Services at the Los Angeles County office of education. With a social work background, I've seen the over-surveillance of families of color firsthand in systems like child protective services. My work focuses on ensuring power resides with the communities we serve.

The Community Schools Initiative is a great example of bringing voice and engagement (family, student, and staff) into school operations, working with the community, not to or for them. When systems systematically fail specific groups, it is incumbent on us to change those systems.

JORGE (NGO promoting peacebuilding policies; former city council leader in Mexico; advocate at the UN)

I work for an NGO that promotes public policies centered on peacebuilding. I previously led a successful city council initiative in Mexico to draft governmental recommendations based on community needs. I have also advocated at the UN, joining networks like the Major Group for Children and Youth and the UNFCCC constituency. I work with YOUNGO to advise youth on how to better engage with politicians.

 

Challenges Encountered

 

MODERATOR/HOST

What are some of the challenges you've encountered?

MATEO

The biggest issue is the barriers of entry for youth, including not being taken seriously or being susceptible to tokenism in limited spaces like the international relations field. Another challenge is the lack of organization and structure in projects, which requires leaders to be highly communicative and willing to improvise. The advice is to be confident, patient, and mentored.

CHRISTIAN

One major barrier is navigating the tension between community needs and institutional desires—what I call the nonprofit industrial complex. Nonprofits sometimes want to fund projects that advance a certain narrative, not what's best for the community. No community project should be deemed small just because it's local. For those in privileged positions, you need to stand with your community, ensuring the conversation is centered on the lived experiences of community members.

JORGE

I highlight two challenges:

  1. The gap between the academic world and the pragmatic, practical world. Politicians often won't implement evidence-based solutions, suggesting a need for better communication strategies.

  2. Youth mental health. Anxiety and the lack of support prevent youth from acting. Governments should invest in mental health to enable youth participation.

A third challenge is inequalities in security in harsh environments, making public advocacy unsafe. We should strategize with young people to create their own safe spaces for advocacy.

ALICIA GARUPA (Chief of Well-Being and Support Services)

Our work faces resistance to the redistribution of power and resources from self-sustaining systems. The work requires engaging with people, slowing things down, and a willingness to give up power. The other challenge is remembering to think about voices that may not be at the table, requiring us to actively ask "who isn't here."

 

Advice for Getting Involved

 

MODERATOR/HOST

What advice would you share for individuals who wish to become involved in projects?

JORGE

"Don't hesitate to raise your voice; use innovative strategies, technology, and online tools to make change possible."

ALICIA GARUPA (Chief of Well-Being and Support Services)

"The power of storytelling—having an authentic story and bringing that to the work, finding common ground."

MATEO

"Look at the SDG goals you're passionate about. Then find ways to get involved globally or locally: go to conferences, network, get mentored, and slowly gain the confidence to implement wide-scale change."

CHRISTIAN

"Leverage your privilege—especially if connected to institutions with resources—and connect it to community needs. Remember that the hardships you experience are experiential knowledge; connect with community members to engage in collective action."

 

Audience Q&A

 

ROBIN (Audience Member): As a musician, how can we use arts, performing arts, and music to advocate, teach, and fill community needs while still getting government funding, specifically within LAUSD?

ALICIA GARUPA: I'd be happy to connect you with community-based organizations in LA that work with schools to do healing arts programming.

AUDIENCE MEMBER 2 (UCLA student):

  • Question for Christian: What one thing can we do as a collective to give power back to the community, and how can UCLA be pushed to do this?

  • Question for Alicia: How can we get our educators on board to create a community that is more connected between schools, youth, and families?

CHRISTIAN: Use storytelling and pure empathy to create a counter-narrative. As a collective, build coalitions and strategize with community organizations, ensuring everything is centered on lived experience.

ALICIA GARUPA: Explore the Community Schools model on lace.edu, which is designed to honor the idea that school is a hub of community. We also need to break down the sense of separation between staff and community by doing things like home visitation and community walks to build shared humanity and nurture relationships.

RACHEL (UCLA undergraduate student): Regarding current changes in administration (like DEI policies), how would you recommend getting involved in social change and advocacy when there are so many barriers on a higher institution level?

MATEO: Forge that space for yourself. If you are entrepreneurial, found an organization of your own or join a club to create the space. Lean into your interests and passions. For political advocacy, reach out to local officials. Don't let the current administration crush your dreams.

PATRE (Online Viewer): What are the key components of successful community-driven projects, and how can communities replicate successful initiatives?

JORGE: Partnerships are essential to replicate initiatives. The key component for success is a systemic approach that focuses on structural barriers.

MATEO: Key components are leadership, organization (delegating tasks to leverage collective strengths), and hard work.

SEK (Online Viewer): How do you get communities to believe in youth-led projects? Many times, people from rural areas tend to get neglected and not believe in youth initiatives.

CHRISTIAN: Build community by establishing empathy and rapport, bridging the gap between adults and children with lived experience. Youth need a community to advocate with, so you must come in as a collective front.

JORGE: It all comes down to building trust. I recommend the book Little Trust Works, which outlines the ABC for better partnerships: Abilities and Believable (making your cause trustworthy and possible).

MODERATOR/HOST & AISHU (Host/Moderator) & ABBY (Master/Host)

The panelists concluded with one-word summaries:

  • CHRISTIAN: Community

  • ALICIA GARUPA: Transformative

  • MATEO: Inspiring

Abby then announced the next session: a workshop titled "Mental Well-Being and Preventing Burnout for Changemakers."

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