Young people make up a huge proportion of the world’s population.

Connecting with local organizations builds on established community frameworks and can lead to greater sustainability. For instance, programs in Zambia have focused on integrating health workers into the national system and ensuring that their contributions are supported and scaled.

In Senegal, young people under 35 account for 72.2% of the population and face challenges such as unemployment and irregular migration. In response, ChildFund, PDEF and CORAF launched the USAID-funded Positive Youth Development Project (Feed the Future - Dooleel Ndaw Ñi) in 2024, raising awareness among 4,000 people about youth roles in community development and equipping 2,835 young people with leadership, teamwork and civic engagement skills. The project has established 127 new 4-H clubs, trained 192 leaders and impacted 81 villages across 45 communities, positioning youth as key drivers of social and economic change.

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• Zambia Nurse and Life Skills Training Program

Investing in youth is key to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Education, skills development and financial inclusion not only enhance youth well-being but also contribute to broader goals like reducing poverty and fostering inclusive growth. Sustainable livelihood initiatives ensure that development efforts are long-lasting and environmentally responsible.

Children and youth from marginalized groups, such as persons with disabilities, refugees and rural youth, often face significant challenges like poverty and limited access to quality education or skills training. Targeted programs in skills development, livelihood strengthening and financial inclusion are crucial for helping them overcome these barriers. They provide essential tools and opportunities for all young people to improve their circumstances and contribute positively to their communities.

For example, ChildFund's Youth Economic Empowerment Project (YEEP II) focused on improving the socioeconomic well-being of vulnerable youth and helped increase the engagement of young women in their own business by 37% (from 7% to 44%).

Rapid technological advancements and digitalization are reshaping job markets. Many young people lack the skills needed for modern industries due to gaps in education and training. Enabling environments, mentorship and opportunities for personal growth enable young people to navigate life’s complexities and reach their full potential.

Programs focusing on essential technical and soft skills, youth employability, entrepreneurship and digital literacy are vital for equipping young people with the competencies required to thrive in evolving economies.  By conducting job market surveys, partnering with employers, and providing vocational and entrepreneurial training, we create safe, sustainable employment opportunities. Our growing focus on social and green entrepreneurship, particularly in climate action and digital spaces, also uniquely positions us to help youth create sustainable livelihoods.

ChildFund's approach to youth engagement empowers young people to lead, advocate and influence change at all levels. Programs that promote child and youth agency build confidence, leadership skills and a sense of responsibility. When youth are engaged and empowered, they drive positive change in their communities. Through programs like PACT (Civic Participation, Transformation and Opportunities), we actively involve youth in governance, project design and implementation.  

Our Adolescent Confident in Thinking, Valued in Life and Empowered (ACTIVE) project in Indonesia helped adolescents (ages 12 to 15) build critical life skills as well as financial and social skills to be confident and active participants in their community. Primary intervention strategies included information sharing, communication and training through workshops. ACTIVE reached 2,427 adolescents/youth, 300 caregivers, 120 teachers and 120 other community members, and at the end of the project, participants showed improved social skills, enhanced life skills and increased financial skills.

Young people have achieved notable successes through actively participating in advocacy and policy making, impacting local and national policies and enhancing their personal, social and political skills. ChildFund actively works to partner with youth in our global advocacy work. Initiatives like the Youth Network in Defense of Social Rights (REJUDES) in Brazil demonstrate how youth voices can drive significant change.

Approaches such as ChildFund’s “Voice Now!” and Youth Advisory Councils apply youth feedback to refine and innovate community-based solutions. These platforms gather insights directly from young people, allowing for the development of programs that are both effective and responsive to their needs.