Youth tackle pressing global problems and spark real change in their communities

 

Young people across the globe are emerging as driving forces to address our most urgent challenges. Among these inspiring individuals are participants from SOS Children’s Villages who are actively creating solutions through youth-led initiatives that advance the Sustainable Development Goals worldwide (see graphic at the end).  

 

However, these young changemakers often face significant personal and financial hurdles. For those lacking family and community support, these obstacles are exacerbated by existing struggles with exclusion and discrimination. This is where Youth Power comes in.    

 

The just-released Youth Power report and a case study from Palestine shed light on the transformative impact of the Youth Power program, which empowers young people with the confidence, skills, networks, and funding to spark real change in their communities. Simultaneously, the program supports youth workers on a learning journey about youth participation, supporting them to enable young people to be genuine agents of change.   

 

“Youth Power is the answer to the many problems of today’s vulnerable young generation,” says Le Huynh Duc, a young person and Youth Power participant from Vietnam. 

 

“This inclusive platform and program promise to end poverty, reduce inequality, and combat climate change. Above all, this is where we can boost youth participation and advocacy.”

 

Youth Power supports initiatives in 77 countries

 

The report details how Youth Power has been pivotal in addressing poverty, inequality, and climate change. Over the last four years, Youth Power has enabled 1,510 young people, leading 113 initiatives to offer services to over 32,378 people in 77 countries.  

 

These numbers are brought to life through a series of personal stories of change:  

• Gopika from India talks about her initiative Zero Waste SOS, a project revolutionizing waste management in her village. Gopika said: “In Youth Power, we are heard, which was a totally new experience and gave us a lot of confidence. I now feel I am a changemaker.” 

• Farhan from Somalia talks about his initiative Green Travel Agency, a project that facilitates access to quality education and opportunities abroad. 

• Emmanuel from Liberia talks about his project Clean Communities, Healthy People, which promotes environmental responsibility and community sanitation.  

 

Looking forward, Youth Power has ambitious aspirations for 2024 and beyond. The program aims to expand its reach, impacting more young people and covering more countries. It wishes to focus on thematic areas such as environment and climate action, education, and health, ensuring that youth-led initiatives can more effectively address these critical global issues.

 

Youth Power is committed to nurturing the next generation of leaders who will drive sustainable development and positive change worldwide by fostering a supportive environment for young changemakers.