The meaningful inclusion of youth in development processes is not only a best practice—it is an ethical, strategic, and rights-based imperative to achieve a more sustainable, just, and inclusive world. Aligned with the United Nations Youth Strategy (Youth2030), the Joint SDG Fund promotes through programmes that recognize and strengthen the role of young people as key partners in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals. As Youth2030 affirms, “There is no sustainable development without the active participation of young people.” Guided by this vision, the Fund’s programmes not only contribute to the development of technical and strategic skills but also ensure the active and effective engagement of young people in the formulation and implementation of public policies.
In Bolivia, the joint programme Strengthening Sustainable Food Systems in the Bolivian Amazon to Live Well in Harmony with Mother Earth - AMAS-1- actively engages youth, particularly from indigenous communities. It focuses on promoting resilience, sustainability, equity, and market access in food systems. Young people participate in training programmes that integrate traditional and technical knowledge, improving productivity and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. By driving innovation in agricultural methods and strengthening inclusive value chains, this initiative empowers youth to play an active role in transforming food systems.
To strengthen youth participation in Kyrgyzstan, the joint programme Bridging the Digital Health Divide will facilitate digital literacy and access to online job opportunities, aiming to foster economic independence. Recognizing that digital exclusion disproportionately affects young people, especially in rural areas, the initiative provides specialized training in digital skills and facilitates access to digital employment platforms, such as freelance marketplaces, remote work hubs, and e-learning platforms that connect youth with global job opportunities. Additionally, youth are also encouraged to actively take part in the design and implementation of public policies, on digital health and telemedicine, through dedicated dialogue spaces, young people and other stakeholders discuss strategies to close digital gaps and integrate diverse perspectives into policy formulation ensuring their needs are effectively addressed, closing digital gaps, and strengthening their role in the country’s social transformation.
In Cambodia, the joint programme Decent Jobs and Social Protection Expansion for Sustainable and Inclusive Economic Growth places youth at the center of policy formulation that directly impacts their future. By actively engaging with government institutions, they advocate for employment formalization, social security expansion, and improved vocational training. Their participation in policy design ensures that job creation and social protection strategies respond to their needs, fostering a more inclusive and resilient economy. With 1.5 million young people benefiting from subsidized technical and vocational education (TVET), they are not only improving their employability but also modernizing educational programmes and digitalizing social services. By leading these efforts, young people are bridging opportunity gaps, strengthening economic resilience, and securing a future where they are both contributors and decision-makers in national development.
These programmes exemplify the importance of investing in youth as rights-holders, partners, and contributors to sustainable development. By enhancing their skills and ensuring their meaningful participation in public life, young people are not only addressing present challenges but also actively shaping inclusive, resilient, and equitable societies. Their leadership, when fully recognized and supported, strengthens the foundations of long-term transformation, ensuring that development efforts are not only inclusive but truly intergenerational.
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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.
