A participatory fund for young people with disabilities.
We are excited to launch the Disability Justice Fund for Youth in Uganda, Cambodia, and Bangladesh. This fund is being designed by a group of young disabled people from these countries who will also decide how the funding is given out. Using their lived experience expertise they will make sure the money is used where it will have the most impact.
Young people with disabilities are often overlooked both in disability justice and youth movements. They are left without the resources to lead, organise, and create change within their own communities. This fund aims to change that.
How was the fund designed?
The fund was designed using ADD International’s participatory grant-making model where disability justice activists and their organisations decide who receives funding, and how the money given to them is used and distributed.
Recently, young people with disabilities from Uganda, Cambodia, and Bangladesh came together, discussed and shared the situation of their peers in each of their countries. They discussed the possible priority groups and areas of focus and how this grant could help make a difference. They agreed how the fund should operate and how grantees should be selected.
They decided that the fund should prioritise those people who are usually most likely to miss out on funding. While the specific focus varies by country, it includes young women with disabilities, those living in rural areas, those with underrepresented or highly excluded disabilities, and other diverse groups.
In Cambodia, the panel have decided to approach groups led by young people and women. They want to reach people with the most marginalised disabilities which they have defined as including the deaf community, people with psycho-social disabilities, and people with multiple disabilities.
In Bangladesh, there will be an open call promoted through networks of organisations of people with disabilities (OPDs) and adverts for organisations of people with disabilities led by young people and university students with disabilities to apply for funds.
In Uganda, the fund is open to organisations led by young people with disabilities in Oyam, Omoro, Bundibugyo, and Kasese.
“Joining the grant-making panel has been a valuable learning journey. Although I have long worked in the development sector, I was unfamiliar with grant-making procedures before this experience. I have learned the key aspects that must be considered when making grants.
It is essential that young people with disabilities lead grant decisions because we best understand our communities’ challenges, needs, and priorities. This ensures support is relevant, inclusive, and impactful, and respects our voices, lived experiences, and leadership, rather than others making assumptions for us. Empowering us in this way is a step toward true inclusion, equity, and meaningful change.”
– Member of the design team.
Objectives of the fund.
During the meeting, the young people with disabilities developed these objectives themselves. They decided that the fund should;
- Support and strengthen the leadership of young people with disabilities.
- Support young people with disabilities to participate in society and raise their voices to advocate for disability justice.
- Strengthen the connections, networks and movements of young people with disabilities.
- Change family and society’s views about young persons and leaders with disabilities.
Key dates.
The fund is currently being designed by young people with disabilities from each of the three countries. Early in 2026, applications will open for those eligible to apply, and around March 2026 the panel will decide who should receive funding.
Safeguarding.
ADD expects high standards of conduct and professionalism from all our employees and representatives. For more information about safeguarding at ADD, or to raise a concern regarding behaviour, please visit our safeguarding webpage.
