Safeguarding Policy

Peace First exists to back young people who are making their communities more just. We operate in more than 160 countries through our digital platform, our grants programs, our Ambassadors and Fellows network, and our community events. The young people we work with are typically between 13 and 30 years old. Many of them are doing this work in places where speaking up has real costs.

This policy is how we protect everyone in our community from harm: young people, staff, volunteers, contractors, board members, and partners.

What we believe

• No one in our community, and especially no young person, should experience abuse, sexual exploitation, harassment, discrimination, or bullying because of their association with Peace First.
• Young people are leaders, not beneficiaries. Our safeguarding approach respects their agency while protecting them from preventable harm.
• When someone reports harm, our first concern is their safety, dignity, and wishes. Not our reputation, our timelines, or our preferred process.

What we focus on

We organize our safeguarding work around three pillars:

• Protection from harm by adults or other young people. This covers the risk that a young person in our community is harmed by someone who has access to them through Peace First. It includes protection from sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment.
• Risks tied to changemaking work. Many young people we support are doing work that carries real risk. We help them see the risks clearly, plan around them, and decide what they are willing to take on.
• External threats to our community. Conflict, natural disasters, displacement, and other dangers outside our control. We monitor these and respond when our community is affected.

What we do

• Vet every staff member, contractor, Fellow, Regional Manager, and mentor before they work with young people.
• Train staff and volunteers on safeguarding, with refreshers every year.
• Review every event for safeguarding before it happens, online and in person.
• Assess every grant for risk to the young person and their community, and limit or decline projects where risks are too high.
• Keep higher-risk projects hidden from public view on our platform.
• Maintain a clear process for raising and responding to safeguarding concerns.
• Hold ourselves accountable. The Board reviews safeguarding at every regular meeting.

How to report a concern

If something feels off, raise it. You do not need to be certain. Concern is enough.

Email: safeguarding@peacefirst.org

Reports can be made in confidence. Anonymous reports are accepted.

Our Designated Safeguarding Officer is Isaac Cudjoe, CEO. If your concern involves the CEO or senior leadership, your report will be routed to Jonathan Mandel, Board Chair.

The full policy

This page is a summary. Our full Safeguarding Policy covers definitions, our Code of Conduct, vetting and training, event protocols, partner and grantee due diligence, our reporting and response process, recordkeeping, and standards alignment. Staff, partners, funders, and anyone who wants the detail can request the full policy at safeguarding@peacefirst.org.