Zeal is a national youth development organisation that supports and empowers young people in Aotearoa to thrive through providing safe, transformative early intervention spaces and opportunities for young people to connect, belong and develop their strengths, leadership, and passions. Zeal provides five youth spaces in Aotearoa alongside programmes designed to strongly promote youth participation and leadership, entrepreneurship and strengths development.
Two years ago, a partnership between Zeal and the Clare Foundation was formed to pilot a participatory grant making project through one of Aotearoa’s most loved youth development bodies. The aim was relatively simple: bolster youth-led decision making and ensure that funding would reach the places most important to young people. Over time however, this has become part of a larger movement of youth-led change.
Zeal’s participatory grant making project emphasises that rangatahi can, and should, be trusted with the responsibility of large decisions such as where resourcing goes. As it currently stands, the programme has identified evidence to show what the journey has looked like so far:
- 33 applications received
- 20 projects funded (with more in progress)
- Projects spanning across Wellington, Taranaki, Auckland, Kāpiti, and the South Island
- 220+ young people reached through completed projects so far
- 8 Youth Decision Makers (YDMs) involved in distributing funding
But what also matters is the un-quantifiable data which is undeniably meaningful as well. The Decision Makers have emphasised that being involved has cultivated significant confidence, allowing them to learn how to navigate tricky conversations such as funding and resourcing. In turn, the kaupapa has allowed for rangatahi to step into their self-actualisation, noting that:
“It’s changed my confidence.”
“It’s influenced what I want to do in the future.”
“It’s helped me trust myself with this level of responsibility.”
And for some, the impact runs even deeper:
“When I was invited onto this kaupapa, I cried because I hadn’t really been given opportunities like this before.”
This story comes along during a current backdrop of economic difficulties, particularly for many young people entering the working world (Youthline, State of the Generation report, 2026), where a survey of 1041 people aged 12 to 24 stated that their top concerns were:
- Mental health issues (59%)
- Lack of job opportunities (52%)
- Bullying (40%)
While Clare can’t fulfil the service gap noted in the lack of opportunities for young people to uptake counselling (whether online, through text or in person) – supporting the PGM is part of a collaborative effort which remains necessary to look after our young people as they step into the world – ensuring that they are active agents in society with a sense of deep belonging and meaning.
This kaupapa has always been about more than funding. It’s about shifting power, building confidence, and creating pathways for young people to step into leadership in meaningful ways. In turn, Clare encourages everyone to think about all the ways they can actively uplift young people (including those who might not be the most confident, right now) into opportunities where they are encouraged to learn, grow, and thrive.
Read more:
Youthline ASB State of the Generation 2026 Unveiled – Youthline Press Release – Scoop
RNZ News: Research reveals young people are worried about mental health, bullying, and job prospects