Young changemakers collaborating on plans for a sustainable city
YOUTH IN ACTION · GLOBAL IMPACT

Ideas move the world.
Young people move ideas.

UNYEF connects a new generation of changemakers with the knowledge, partners and platforms to build healthier, smarter and more equitable communities.

Explore our work Join the movement
Independent youth-led initiative · Working in the spirit of the Sustainable Development Goals
OUR MISSION

Progress is possible when
young people have a seat
at the table.

We turn youth potential into public value.

Across sectors and borders, our community learns from local challenges, prototypes bold responses and builds coalitions that carry promising ideas forward.

Discover who we are
THREE PATHWAYS TO IMPACT

Where we focus

Complex problems need connected thinking. Our programmes sit at the intersection of people, place and possibility.

01✚

Public health

Healthier communities start locally.

Youth-led prevention, health literacy and dignified public infrastructure designed with communities—not simply for them.

02⌂

Smart cities

Technology in service of people.

Open data, climate resilience and accessible urban systems that make fast-growing cities more inclusive and responsive.

03↗

Youth empowerment

Agency becomes lasting change.

Skills, capital and cross-border networks that give emerging leaders the confidence and tools to deliver measurable impact.

OUR AMBITION

Local action.
Shared progress.

15+cities in our
target network
500young leaders
to be equipped
3priority impact
pathways

Forward-looking programme ambitions, not reported outcomes.

IDEAS IN PRACTICE

Field cases

Locally grounded work delivered by our teams and partners across communities.

View all cases
Community volunteers reviewing a school handwashing facilityFIELD CASE
PUBLIC HEALTHQinghai, China

The Healthy Campus Initiative

A youth team co-designs sanitation upgrades and a peer health curriculum with two rural schools.

1,200students reached
Young urban researchers installing an environmental sensorFIELD CASE
SMART CITIESJakarta, Indonesia

Neighbourhood Heat Map

Low-cost sensors and resident observations turn street-level heat data into practical cooling interventions.

24community sensors deployed
Young women collaborating in a community innovation studioFIELD CASE
EMPOWERMENTNairobi, Kenya

Her Digital Future

A mentorship and micro-grant pathway supports young women building solutions for the local care economy.

60fellows in pilot cohort
THE NEXT CHAPTER STARTS WITH YOU

Bring your perspective.
Build what matters.

Join a global community of young people choosing action over apathy—and collaboration over convention.

Apply to UNYEF