The future belongs to those who dare to shape it. As we reaffirm the Declaration on Future Generations, we recognize that youth are not just participants but agents of change and its driving force, leading worldwide social and economic transformations. The declaration underscores the need to ensure that young people are actively considered in policy and decision-making processes to safeguard the needs and interests of future generations.
Furthermore, as the UN Secretary General has powerfully stated,
Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires a seismic shift, which can only happen if we empower young people and work with them as equals.
The Joint SDG Fund is committed to youth engagement, ensuring their meaningful participation in shaping a sustainable and inclusive future. Aligned with the Declaration on Future Generations under the Pact for the Future, over 25.12% of its programmes are designed to empower young people, recognizing their essential role in driving sustainable solutions within their communities. Beyond addressing specific SDGs, these efforts drive a ripple effect across multiple dimensions, with a strategic focus on deeply prioritizing Quality Education (SDG 4), Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8), and Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10). By prioritizing these areas, the Fund seeks to amplify the capacity of young people to act as catalysts, reinforcing their voices and contributions in global development.
Through these joint programmes, young people strengthen their leadership and advocacy skills while also receiving training in digital skills, social protection, and career support, among other areas. Additionally, some of these programmes will create spaces for young people to directly contribute to the creation of public policies that allow them to influence issues of great relevance to their development and effective participation.
For example, in Guatemala, the Enabling Digital Transformation and Improving Public Service Delivery at Scale programme will ensure that young people are not only beneficiaries of digital transformation but also key actors in decision-making. To achieve this, dialogue spaces will be created where they can express their opinions and contribute to the formulation of policies related to the digitization of public services and the reduction of the digital divide. Additionally, user-centered methodologies will be implemented to ensure their active participation in the design and development of digital services that truly meet their needs. Their input will also be considered in policy planning and design, ensuring that digital identity and interoperability platforms are implemented securely, inclusively, and in a way that respects human rights.
To strengthen their role in decision-making, training programmes in leadership and project management will be carried out, equipping them with the tools needed to effectively influence the implementation of digital initiatives. Likewise, the programme will work closely with youth organizations to ensure that their voices are heard and considered in the formulation of strategies and regulations. Through these mechanisms, the aim is to empower young people as key drivers of change, ensuring that digital transformation is an inclusive, equitable process aligned with their expectations and needs.
In Kenya, the joint programme Digital Platforms Kenya: A Thriving Kenyan Digital Platforms Ecosystem for Sustainable Development – Digiken on Digital Platforms is developing inclusive digital financial products for young people to manage and expand their businesses. Business advisory centers and training initiatives further strengthen youths’ digital skills, preparing them for success in an increasingly digital world.
The Joint SDG Fund, through joint programmes, reinforces its commitment to intergenerational equity by recognizing young people as essential partners in achieving the 2030 Agenda. Their active, rights-based participation across joint programmes strengthens inclusive, equitable, and sustainable development. In alignment with the Declaration on Future Generations and the core principles of the United Nations, this approach affirms that empowering youth today is not only transformative in the present but is also foundational for building a just, resilient, and rights-based future for all generations.
Note:
All joint programmes of the Joint SDG Fund are led by UN Resident Coordinators and implemented by the agencies, funds and programmes of the United Nations development system. With sincere appreciation for the contributions from the European Union and Governments of Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and our private sector funding partners, for a transformative movement towards achieving the SDGs by 2030.
