From the Playbook: How AFC is shifting power across generations

Accountable Futures Collective (AFC) has created a transformative model that gives young people meaningful work, influence, and real incentives.

At its core, AFC has a dual governance structure. Young people sit on an Impact Board, guiding strategy, youth engagement, and program design, while adults sit on an Integrity Board, overseeing legal, financial, and risk responsibilities.

Together, this forms a joint Intergenerational Board, in which youth hold genuine authority, shaping real decisions and organisational direction. This model provides meaningful work, where youth are trusted with responsibilities that have real consequences for the organisation’s impact.

Beyond governance, AFC have built a strong community of young people who stay connected, support each other, and are invited to contribute over time. This allows young people to choose their level of involvement and participate in wide-ranging opportunities that match their interests, skills, and goals.

Young people can participate through multiple touchpoints:

• Learning sessions – unpaid opportunities to build knowledge and skills together. Topics are co-designed, allowing participants to teach or learn in ways that matter to them.
• Collaborating sessions – paid opportunities to actively lead or contribute to projects, using their skills and passions to make real impact.
• Connecting sessions – unpaid, casual sessions for community, fun, and social connection, where youth help shape activities and themes.

By combining unique governance, genuine influence, and flexible participation, AFC attracts young people into lasting engagement. Youth feel valued, included, and empowered in shaping the organisation and the wider systems it seeks to improve.