Youth Participation In Post-Flood Governance (2025): Opportunities And Barriers In Punjab, Pakistan

The research paper explores the significant role of youth organization regarding post- flood governance in 2025. Further, the study not only highlights the nature of their involvement in recovery planning but also identifies key factors that both hinder and promote their active participation. Besides government-led initiatives, this research also makes a significant contribution to participatory governance and disaster management in Punjab, Pakistan.

Moreover, it critically examines the policy framework involving youth engagement to demonstrate how volunteer networks were assembled during this crisis. It also highlights the essential contributions of youth in recovery efforts. By using Chironi, Della Porta and Milan’s (2024) framework of crisis participation and Hart’s Ladder of Participation, this study deeply examines the different barriers, such as institutional distrust, rigid bureaucratic systems, gender norms and short-term-based projects, which continuously affect the meaningful participation of youth organizations in the crisis response.

Likewise, the research uses a qualitative design to analyze the grey literature, policy briefs and disaster management reports produced by humanitarian organizations such as Al-Khidmat Foundation and Relief Web during and after the 2025 monsoon season. Despite the government initiatives, youth mobilization continues to be framed through volunteerism rather than formal policymakers. Consequently, young people remained absent from district coordination bodies, policy formulation and planning committees that actually shaped the post -flood recovery. Overall, this research offers evidence-based insights to advance more inclusive and effective disaster governance models for future emergencies.