Young generations are a source of innovation and solutions to meet the challenges of our century, but they often lack funds and support. With a budget of one million dollars, made possible by SEVENTEEN's contribution, 100 inspiring initiatives created by and for young people will be implemented, benefiting thousands of youth and their communities.
Audrey AzoulayUNESCO Director-General
The creative spirit and sense of responsibility that permeate these youth-led projects have been an inspiration to us all. We are excited to see how the collective experience will help build youth communities and empower many more like ourselves to achieve their dreams.
SEVENTEENK-pop group and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Youth
52% of the global population is under 30 years old, and this figure is expected to rise to 57% by 2030. Yet today's generation of youth face many challenges, from increasing mental health struggles to a lack of opportunities that match their aspirations.
Named Goodwill Ambassador for Youth by Audrey Azoulay in July 2024, the world-famous group SEVENTEEN has joined UNESCO's efforts to support young people in implementing impactful solutions for themselves and their communities by donating 1 million USD to the UNESCO Global Youth Grant Scheme. In just a few weeks, the #GoingTogether campaign received over 2,300 applications from all over the world.
100 projects from 70 countries across all regions were selected by an international jury for their potential to drive change, build creative communities, or improve young peoples' mental health and well-being. The majority of these projects will work through music, sports and the arts. The financial grants - ranging between 5000 and 7500 USD - will enable the 100 winners to implement their innovative projects at national or community levels until October 2025.
In addition to financial support, UNESCO and SEVENTEEN will provide project management training, and mentorship for the winners. The training programme will be led by social innovation experts, who will also help identify mentors from various professional backgrounds. The winners are also engaged in co-creating the training programme.
A look at the projects and their leaders
In Haiti, Théophilo Jarbath is leading the MakerLab Culture Youth and Girl initiative, a design laboratory dedicated to fostering social and technological innovation, aimed at supporting young people and women in the cultural and creative industries, as well as in emerging sports like eSports.
Mirriam Sikalume's project, DeafSmart Initiative, aims to empower deaf individuals in Zambia by providing essential training in digital safety through workshops on recognizing online risks, protecting personal information, and navigating digital platforms safely.
In the Philippines, Natasha Tanjutco's initiative Islands of Imagination Festival is empowering 260 young people from island communities by providing opportunities for cultural expression and environmental education.
Noor Azaiez is leading the PsyQuilibre project in Tunisia, which scales up integrated and accessible mental health services for students in vulnerable situations across Greater Tunis.
In New Zealand, Yibeth Morales Ayala leads the Refugee Youth Active and Empowered initiative. Designed by and for refugee youth, this programme uses physical activities to empower young refugees with leadership, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills.
A project in Brazil, Coopera Flora Azul, led by Laiza de Carvalho Lima, is engaging more than 1000 young people from the Caatinga biome to protect the species Spix's Macaw and its habitat through environmental education and conservation activities.
Denia Kopita in Greece, through the project SkatersCreators, will bring diverse youth together through skateboarding and art to fight racism and other forms of discrimination, culminating in a collaborative art piece at a final celebration exhibition.
UNESCO's action for youth
UNESCO's Youth Programme addresses the needs of young people while mobilizing and enhancing their knowledge and skills. By doing so, it helps them face challenges and implement impactful solutions, for themselves and their communities.
As part of these efforts, the Organization mobilizes resources to support youth-led projects that address issues worldwide and funds youth-led research to build youth development policy recommendations for governments.
