UNICEF and the Scout Association of Maldives partner to strengthen youth skills

MALÉ, Maldives, 13 October 2026 – UNICEF Maldives and the Scout Association of Maldives have signed a partnership agreement to help equip children and young people with the skills, values and resilience they need to navigate an increasingly complex world and contribute positively to their communities.

The partnership supports the Scout Association of Maldives as it renews its National Scouts Youth Programme to better reflect the realities facing young people today, including digital safety, mental wellbeing, climate change and active citizenship.

As part of the collaboration, UNICEF Maldives' TRAILs Framework for building youth leaders will be integrated into the Association's revised learning modules, activities and training resources. The framework promotes a broad range of transferable skills, including communication, critical thinking, teamwork, creativity, problem-solving, leadership, digital literacy and resilience.

Through Scouting's hands-on approach to learning, young people will have opportunities to strengthen these competencies through practical experiences, community service, teamwork and leadership, preparing them not only for the challenges of today but also for the opportunities of tomorrow.

The partnership will also support the development of three new programme badges, Mind Builders, Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Child Rights. By linking skills development with adolescent wellbeing, climate resilience and children's rights, these badges will help young people build resilience, understand and exercise their rights, prepare for emergencies and become active contributors to their schools and communities.

“We are not only thinking about the Cubs, Scouts and Rovers who are with us today. We are thinking about the young person who will join Scouting five years from now, ten years from now, and even beyond that. We want the next generation of Scouts to experience a programme that is relevant to the world they are growing up in. We want them to leave Scouting not only knowing how to be a good Scout, but also having the confidence, skills, values and resilience to become responsible citizens and positive changemakers in their communities,” stated Ismail Rifau, Chief Commissioner of the Scout Association of Maldives. 

Recognizing the important role adult mentors play in shaping positive learning experiences, the initiative will also strengthen training and support for Scout leaders across the country. This will help ensure that children and young people across Maldives, including those living in different atolls, can benefit from high-quality and relevant learning opportunities.

By embedding future-focused competencies across the Scout Association's systems, educational resources and youth programming, the partnership aims to create lasting impact and strengthen the capacity of future generations of young Maldivians to lead, adapt and contribute to national development.

“UNICEF looks forward to working closely with the Scout Association of Maldives to support the movement's growth and help equip young people to serve their communities today and shape a stronger Maldives tomorrow,” stated Dr. Edward Addai, UNICEF Representative to Maldives.