The distribution of financial resources can affect young people’s representation within political parties and the electoral process. High and often escalating costs often limit opportunities for young people with relatively less influence or financial means, regardless of how eager they are to run for office.  In some countries, state and government resources are systematically used during campaign periods for the advantage of incumbents. This weakens the position of opposition candidates and young people who are not associated with incumbent governments or candidates. Recognizing that political activities often require (considerable) financing, many countries have introduced state subsidies to level the playing field and encourage political pluralism. Earmarking state subsidies for specific activities and/or target groups is not new and has been used in several countries to promote the representation of underrepresented groups in political institutions. 

In the United States, EMILY’s list has been a useful tool for mobilizing financial support for pro-choice women candidates in the Democratic Party (emilyslist.org). 

In order to increase meaningful participation from young people and marginalized groups with which the youth population intersects (such as, women, indigenous peoples, ethnic minorities and persons with disabilities), proper regulation of donations and campaign expenditure is needed to ensure all individuals in parties have equal access to funding.  A small number of countries, including Ireland and Kenya, have drafted legislation requiring parties to use part of their funding to increase youth political representation. 

Although a number of countries have made laws in an effort to enhance youth representation, many lack mechanisms to enforce legislation by collecting, scrutinizing, and disclosing financial reports or to address violations. In the absence of mechanisms to investigate political parties’ donations and expenditures and hold political parties accountable, it is unlikely that political parties will be penalized for not complying with the rules. Yet, despite this rather obvious correlation, about 25 per cent of the countries for which data was available during research for a 2012 report lacked regulations obliging any agency to examine financial reports or to investigate potential political finance violations.[i]