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Press Release: YOUTH-LED ACTION FOR THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS: EU AND WORLD’S LARGEST YOUTH ORGANISATIONS ANNOUNCE NEW PARTNERSHIP

The European Commission and the world’s largest youth organizations, the “Big Six”, announced a partnership today to launch the EU Youth Empowerment Fund, to be implemented through the Global Youth Mobilization (GYM). It marks the first anniversary of the Youth Action Plan for EU External Action, the EU’s policy framework for a strategic partnership with young people to build a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable future.

Press Release: WHO-BACKED GLOBAL YOUTH MOBILIZATION INVESTED IN AND EMPOWERED YOUNG PEOPLE TO DELIVER HELP TO MILLIONS ACROSS THE WORLD

A global movement that funds youth-led community projects across the world is aiming to expand its efforts. Led and implemented by young people across the world, Global Youth Mobilization (GYM) has been operational since December 2020 and already invested in schemes in 125 countries, with young people tackling issues such as the mental health of young people fleeing the war in Ukraine to child victims of sexual abuse in Zambia. Now they are seeking a further $15m over the next three years to expand the initiative.

GYM Launches “Unstoppable Together: Celebrating 2 Years of Youth-led Global Action” Final Report

Launched on March 27, 2023 , the Global Youth Mobilization (GYM) final impact report, “Unstoppable Together: Celebrating 2 Years of Youth-led Global Action”, highlights the reach and impact of the investment in young people globally to date. 

Unstoppable Together – Global Youth Mobilization

Join us in February 2023, for the Global Youth Mobilization (GYM) virtual events celebrating 2 years of youth-led global action and the launch of our final impact report, highlighting our reach and investment in young people globally since our start in December 2020. Hosted by the Big Six youth organizations, supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Foundation (UNF), we will launch our final impact report looking back at the initiative’s youth-led COVID-19 response and recovery during the main virtual event on 15 February 2023.

GYM Youth Board Representative Addresses World Leaders at World Health Summit 2022

“We (young people) are experts, we live the experience and through the Global Youth Mobilization we have seen the impact that has been brought by young people. Invest in young people with meaningful engagement!”, a clear call to action made by Global Youth Mobilization (GYM) Youth Board Representative, Helga Mutasingwa, at the opening ceremony of the 2022 World Health Summit on Sunday, 16 October in Berlin.

BIG 6 YOUTH ORGANISATIONS WELCOME KEY OUTCOMES FROM THE TRANSFORMING EDUCATION SUMMIT

As the United Nations General Assembly meets for the first time in three years, education reform is at the top of the agenda. Over three days, young people, policy makers, civil society organisations, governments and leaders came together to debate, discuss, and prioritise actions as part of the Transforming Education Summit.

Presentation of Youth Declaration at the Transforming Education Summit

The Transforming Education Summit, which brought together world leaders to address the global education crises that was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, concluded on 19 September 2022 in New York. The summit was an answer to the Our Common Agenda report, that calls for more inclusive and effective cooperation in response to arising global issues for the next 25 years. During the summit the Secretary General’ s Youth Envoy and youth activists presented the Youth Declaration that looks at the disproportionate impact of education inequity for students in low- and middle-income countries.

New international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response: contributing to the second round of public hearings – WHO

From 9 - 13 September 2022, interested parties, organizations and young people are invited to submit a video statement, in support of the upcoming public hearings with member states of the World Health Organization (WHO) for the negotiation process for the Pandemic Accord, to strengthen the global pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.

YMCA takes over Global Youth Mobilization social media channels on International Youth Day

On International Youth Day, 12 August 2022, the Global Youth Mobilization (GYM) initiative showcased how young people are working to alleviate the long-lasting impacts of the Covid pandemic, addressing the inequalities that young people face in their communities, and advocating for change through Local Solutions and National Projects. Loris Tarazi, member and volunteer at East Jerusalem YMCA and the YMCA Youth Board Representative for the Global Youth Mobilization, took over the GYM social media channels on the day. She shares her experience of the Day with us and couches it within a special message to the leaders of today from the leaders of tomorrow. 

“Intergenerational Solidarity Is the Future” – International Youth Day Blog Post

In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, young people have seen rise in challenges that not only has immediate effects but also impacts their futures. Despite these challenges, one thing remains fundamentally true, young people, globally, continue to show their initiative and support to overcome the negative effects of the pandemic.

International Youth Day 2022

This year’s theme for International Youth Day is “Intergenerational Solidarity: Creating a World for All Ages”, which will be commemorated on Friday, 12 August 2022. This theme aims to address raise awareness on the barriers of ageism and how it impacts both young and old people. As young people are at the forefront of the pandemic it is paramount that they are given us access to and part of global development strategies and mechanisms.

GYM wins prestigious Communique Award for Excellence in Healthcare Partnerships

On 7 July 2022, the Global Youth Mobilization (GYM), powered by the Big 6 Youth Organisations*, won the Excellence in Healthcare Partnerships award at the prestigious Communique Awards in London, UK. The Communique Awards celebrate the best work in healthcare initiatives and communications that achieve results and deliver successful campaigns in the healthcare sector.

We are commissioning an external evaluation of our project – can you help?

The Global Youth Mobilization (GYM) is commissioning an external evaluation to review the achievements, impact, effectiveness and efficiency of the activities and operational collaboration between the Big 6 Youth Organisations completed throughout the GYM project.

GYM and Big Six at Stockholm+50

Hosted by GYM and the Big Six, join us for this side event, Powering Change: Young People Leading the COVID-19 Response and Recovery, at Stockholm+50. The session will include a panel of young people to showcase youth-led solutions in their communities and will include a discussion with youth policy development practitioners and policy makers on lessons learned since our start in 2020.

WORLD’S LARGEST YOUTH ORGANISATIONS AGREE NEW STRATEGIC COLLABORATION WITH THE WHO TO BUILD A HEALTHIER, MORE EQUAL AND YOUTH-LED FUTURE

GENEVA, 13 May 2022. Today CEOs and youth leaders from the Big Six Youth Organizations met with leaders from the World Health Organization (WHO) to discuss the role of young people in leading COVID-19 response and recovery efforts and agree on a ground-breaking strategic partnership and collaboration of engaging young people in future health related crises.

We are hiring! Senior Programme Manager

Want to support young people to overcome the impact of the COVID19 pandemic? Got experience in grant management, programme development and big ideas for how to generate change? The Global Youth Mobilization (GYM) is hiring a Senior Programme Manager to join our core project team. See below all the details – apply by Sunday 15 May 2022!

For Youth, By Youth

GYM Welcomes New Local Solutions Youth Panellists! As decision making by young people for young people is at the heart of the Global Youth Mobilization (GYM), we are happy to announce that we have selected a new group of youth panellists in February 2022.

Nuevas oportunidades para proyectos ideados por jóvenes

Las soluciones lideradas por los jóvenes para la recuperación de la pandemia están en el centro de Global Youth Mobilization, la cual está invirtiendo más de 2 millones de dólares en ideas potentes que incidan en la vida de los jóvenes: en sus ideas, sus soluciones creativas y su futuro.

Powering Change – GYM Youth Webinar Series

To support the launch of our new impact report, “Powering Change: Young People Leading the COVID-19 Response and Recovery”, GYM is hosting a series of webinars to share insights from the report and discuss lessons learned.

Restless Development x Financial Times Writing Challenge

Have your say. Young people around the world are invited to have their voices heard on the future of education, in a writing challenge from Restless Development and the Financial Times. 

Global Youth Mobilization funded project “WoW – Wheels of Wisdom” wins 15th EIFL Library Innovation Award

We are so excited to announce that “WoW-Wheels of Wisdom”, a GYM Local Solutions funded project in Bangladesh, is one of three winners of the 15th EIFL Library Innovation Award.

Join us as a Youth Panelist and help us select Local Solutions for funding!

Are you interested in supporting young people worldwide implement their solutions to challenges Covid-19 created in their communities? This is your chance! Join us as a Youth Panelist!

We are hiring! Project Manager – Local Solutions and Accelerator Programme

Want to support young people to overcome the impact of the COVID19 pandemic? Got experience in grant management, programme development and big ideas for how to generate change? The Global Youth Mobilization (GYM) is hiring a Project Manager to join our core project team. See below all the details – apply by Monday 24 January 2022!

SHINE a Light on Global Youth Mobilization – Local Solutions awardees featured on podcast

In December 2021, the Global Youth Mobilization (GYM) partnered with CMRubinWorld and Planet Classroom to create an episode of the popular SHINE Podcast showcasing projects and young people combating the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic with innovative local solutions.

Menstrual Hygiene Management for young people in Madagascar

Girl Guides and Girl Scouts in three regions across Madagascar are supporting 2,000 young people to overcome the impact of the pandemic by providing education on menstrual hygiene and building entrepreneurship capacity.

Scouting for balance – addressing the psychological needs of Polish youth

Polish Scouting and Guiding Association has implemented a project to combat the psychological and effects of the pandemic by building a psychological support for young people. Supported by a team of psychologists and educators, the project aims to address the needs of their participants through workshops in their local communities.

Mental Health Month 2021 – Our Stories of Impact

This month Global Youth Mobilization will focus on youth-led solutions from our national projects and local solutions to highlight stories of impact on mental health and wellbeing in collaboration with our partners. Read the stories from global projects that are at the forefront of the recovery efforts from the pandemic this Mental Health Month!

Unlock the Future Declaration:

Launched today at the “Unlock the Future” high-level virtual event at the 76th Session of the UN General Assembly, the Global Youth Mobilization and other youth-focused international organisations are proud to launch an exciting new declaration. The ‘Unlock Declaration’ launches a new coalition which will focus on the needs of next and future generations within the international system and highlights the need to prioritize the inputs and perspectives of young people, in order to determine their own futures.

Unlock the Future – High-Level Virtual Event

At a time when young people face a series of emergencies they did not cause, how can the world come together to listen to their voices, respond to their demands, and work with them as designers of their futures? In the week that global leaders gather for the opening of the UN General Assembly, this high-level virtual event marks the beginning of the coalition for young people and future generations.

GLOBAL YOUTH MOBILIZATION WELCOMES UN SECRETARY GENERAL’S OUR COMMON AGENDA REPORT AND CALLS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF KEY RECOMMENDATIONS

The Global Youth Mobilization and its Big 6 youth development partners welcome the publication of an important report on the future of our planet. Our Common Agenda looks ahead to the next 25 years and represents the Secretary-General’s vision on the future of global cooperation and reinvigorating inclusive, networked, and effective multilateralism.

Join us as a Youth Panelist and help us select Local Solutions for funding!

Are you interested in supporting young people worldwide implement their solutions to challenges Covid-19 created in their communities?This is your...

We must give young people a platform to lead the COVID-19 recovery

First published on weforum.org. August 12 is International Youth Day. We call on the world to acknowledge that young people...

‘WE WANT TO BE HEARD, WE WANT TO BE PART OF THE PROCESS’ – YOUNG PEOPLE CALL ON GOVERNMENTS AND BUSINESSES TO PRIORTISE YOUTH IN RESPONSE TO IMPACT OF COVID-19 AT GLOBAL YOUTH SUMMIT

Over 150 countries represented at the Global Youth Summit, a virtual event designed to address the negative impacts of COVID-19...

IT’S TIME TO TAKE ACTION NOW – HERE IS HOW YOUNG PEOPLE CAN BUILD ON THE SUCCESS OF THE GLOBAL YOUTH SUMMIT

Following the success of the Global Youth Summit, now is the time to act. Here is how young people can...

GLOBAL YOUTH MOBILIZATION FUNDS YOUNG PEOPLE’S IDEAS TO COMBAT IMPACT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC

• Initiative led by the world’s six largest youth organizations and supported by the World Health Organization and United Nations Foundation will fund the work of young people in communities impacted by the global COVID-19 pandemic • Impact of the global pandemic on young people to be addressed at Global Youth Summit • Young people will decide where the money goes and how it is spent • Global Youth Mobilization backed by UNICEF, USAID, UNFPA, European Commission, Salesforce, FIFA and Heads of State and Governments from around the world

We are in this together – IFRC

As weeks and months have passed, people have been faced with the pressures that mount from an uncertain future. COVID-19 has had and continues to have a massive impact on mental health, causing widespread emotional stress and anxiety as people struggle to cope with the pandemic’s impacts on themselves, their families, and their communities.

Girls, Consumers, and Communities in Need During the COVID-19 Crisis – WAGGGS

With Girl Scouts at Home, families everywhere can access self-guided, free activities to keep them engaged and connected to their communities and the larger sisterhood of girls. This new national platform reflects the exploration and interactive learning of Girl Scouts in a one-stop-shop format that lets both members and the public enjoy a variety of activities that cover STEM, Entrepreneurship, Life Skills, and the Outdoors (including from indoors!).

America’s Girl Scouts have been impacting the world for generations. Now they’re helping those on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic – WAGGGS

For more than 100 years, there has been one group of little women on the front lines always finding a way to make a big impact. Girl Scouts. While they're especially known for selling baked goods outside grocery stores during a brief six- to eight-week Girl Scout Cookie season, the coronavirus pandemic has once again changed a few plans.

MAKING MASKS AND FACE SHIELDS TO SUPPORT COVID-19 RESPONSE – WOSM

As part of the national campaign to combat COVID-19, the Ivorian Scouts have also donated face shields to law enforcement officers at the Administrative Police Station in Abobo. “Police Officers are in contact with the population in the exercise of their function to protect the people. It is therefore important to give them all the help they need,” says the Regional Commissioner, Bamba Ousmane.

PROVIDING FOOD TO 300 FAMILIES IN NEED – WOSM

#YoMeQuedoEnCasaRD is a social media campaign started by Fersobe in Dominican Republic to fundraise for providing food to families in need, in the form of coupons that they can redeem at selected stores. Shortly after the campaign kick started, many public figures in Dominican Republic have joined and contributed to the campaign.

Supporting India’s most vulnerable during COVID-19 – a personal story

COVID-19 has changed the face of the entire world in the past couple of months. It has gravely affected the lives of thousands and livelihoods of millions of people from all sections of society. But the most affected, by far, are the people from the underprivileged sections. I reflected on the conundrum, whether there is any disease worse than hunger.

GIRL SCOUT FROM POLAND WINS EU SOLIDARITY PRIZE FOR DOMESTIC ABUSE CAMPAIGN

“I cannot imagine that service could not be in my life. My whole life is service and it is Scouting that taught me this attitude." Krysia, an 18-year old girl Scout from Poland, was awarded a European Civil Solidarity Prize by the EU's Economic and Civil Committee, for her domestic abuse campaign, “Chamomiles and Pansies”.

Youth leading way in pandemic – IFRC

Since the outbreak of Covid-19, thousands of Red Cross Red Crescent youth volunteers right across the Asia Pacific have been following the same call as Ms Ei Ei. Those who cannot serve directly in their local communities, have become digital volunteers at home, doing a wide range of valuable work, from translating information material in all languages spoken in their country to promoting well-being.

Indonesia: The Tan sisters help raise donations for COVID-19 relief – The Award

Echoing the government’s public campaign of recognizing and appreciating local healthcare professionals, Jessica focused herself on fundraising for these local heroes by carving digital illustrations in exchange for donations. The funds collected went towards food, Hazmat suits, masks, and other necessities desperately needed by the healthcare workers.

Keeping intergenerational friendships alive during lockdown – The Award

For two and a half years, Gold Award participant Lauren, from New Zealand, has been reading to Shirley Macdonald who is blind. She would visit Shirley at her retirement village every Saturday. While it started as Voluntary Service for her Gold Award, the pair have formed a strong friendship. “Reading to Shirley has been an amazing part of my life,” Lauren said. COVID-19 and lockdown brought them closer.