UNICEF and Youth-led Action

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Young people are urgently tackling the critical issues of our time: among them, climate change, mental health, violence, and gender inequality. They are pursuing climate litigation and leading relief efforts during conflicts and disasters. They are stepping in to provide education and nutrition services when systems falter, influencing community norms on early child marriage and partner violence, and so much more.

Equipped with the right skills, resources and opportunities, the world’s 1.2 billion young people can become the largest generation of changemakers the world has ever seen. 

This website is dedicated to supporting today’s generation of young changemakers and their adult allies. Inside, you will find information and resources to support and inspire you, from capacity-building opportunities to stories of young changemakers from around the globe. You will also learn about UNICEF’s Youth-Led Action Initiative, one of our programmes to empower youth. Consider this your community, whether you are a young changemaker or an adult ally. Together we can create a cleaner, healthier, safer, and more just world. 

This website is developed and maintained by UNICEF's Adolescent Development and Participation (ADAP) team. To learn more about all the work being done by UNICEF with young people, click here.

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Njung'e Wanjiru

The 2024 State of the World’s Children: The Future of Childhood in a Changing World, asks: What will be in that future? What will the world be like for children in 2050? And what can we do today to ensure the best possible future for every child?

  • Amid what feels like never-ending, ongoing global crises and geopolitical uncertainty it can be challenging to focus on long-term solutions.
  • Equipping young people to drive change and shape the future empowers them to influence the actions, decisions, and policies that foster progress and collaboration in a complex world.
  • Investing in young people enhances the wellbeing of today’s children, youth, and adults, while equipping tomorrow’s caregivers, teachers, employees, and decision-makers.

For every child, action

Get more information on the youth-led action journey

The Youth-led Action Initiative

Find out more information about the Youth-led Action Initiative here

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YAG Training Resources

Download the script and slides here

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The UNICEF Youth Action Guide

Download the YAG here

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Train Changemakers

The Champion Trainers' Hub - a space for facilitators

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For every child, change

Learn more about the work being done in different thematic areas

Thematic Areas of Youth-led Action

Learn more about the specific areas of change

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Youth-led Action for Adolescent Girls

Learn more about the work being done for and with adolescent girls

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Youth-led Action for Climate Change

Learn more about the work young changemakers are doing for the climate

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Youth-led Action for Mental Health

Learn more about young changemakers working on mental health

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For every child, inspiration

Read stories about youth-led action in practice around the world

Mental Health is Everyone's Business

Tsungirirai speaks about her personal experience with mental health and the steps she is taking to reduce stigma in her community

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From Local Advocacy to National Impact

Read about Khongorzul's Changemaking Journey

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Youth-led beach clean-up highlights urgent need for coastal

Maria presents findings from Blue, Green and Everything in Between initiative

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Adolescent girls in West and Central Africa

UNICEF in West and Central Africa believes in the potential of adolescent girls and strives to support their transformative leadership

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