Young people are among the most under-served of all people affected by conflict and displacement despite the fact that they are both causal and recipient agents. Additionally, as a result of marginalization and social exclusion, youth are highly vulnerable to recruitment, exploitation and abuse. This article looks at how economic programs fail youth both during displacement, leading to wasted potential, and in post-conflict settings through two case studies: Southern Sudan and Liberia and argues for more responsive, appropriate interventions so that youth can effectively participate in the re-building of the countries, communities, and lives.