Elevating Global Youth Voices on Sustainability and the 2030 Agenda A Youth Vision for the World’s Future is a global initiative led by SDSN Youth in partnership with the Ford Foundation. The project is designed to amplify and represent youth perspectives on critical sustainability challenges shaping the future of the world. Through structured regional dialogues and high-level policy engagement, the initiative ensures that young people play a meaningful role in shaping the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Project Overview Launched as a global youth consultation initiative, A Youth Vision for the World’s Future focuses on gathering insights from young people across regions on three key sustainability themes: Gender Equality Climate Change The Future of Work The project will convene twelve regional consultations, creating space for young leaders to share: What has worked in advancing sustainability goals What has not worked Their hopes, priorities, and concerns for the remaining years of the 2030 Agenda The goal is not only to listen to youth voices but also to transform their ideas into actionable recommendations for global decision-makers. About SDSN Youth SDSN Youth is a programme of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN). SDSN was launched in 2012 by former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to mobilize global expertise in support of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As the youth arm of SDSN, SDSN Youth empowers young people worldwide to contribute to sustainable development through research, policy engagement, and community action. Regional Consultations 2026 The consultations will take place across three months in 2026: March 2026 – Gender Equality April 2026 – Climate Change May 2026 – Future of Work Each consultation will gather youth aged 18–35 from diverse geographic and professional backgrounds. Participants are invited to apply to the theme that best aligns with their expertise and interests. Who Can Apply? Eligible participants must: Be between 18 and 35 years old Represent diverse regions and backgrounds Demonstrate interest or experience in one of the three thematic areas Apply through the official consultation forms Selected applicants will receive a direct invitation to participate. From Dialogue to Policy Impact A key strength of the initiative is its commitment to moving beyond consultation toward meaningful youth participation in global decision-making. Following the regional dialogues: SDSN Youth will publish a policy brief synthesizing youth perspectives, aspirations, and concerns. The brief will include actionable recommendations for governments, civil society, and academic institutions. Youth-generated recommendations will be presented to senior representatives of UN Member States, civil society organizations, and academia. The findings will be shared at major multilateral forums to influence global sustainability processes. This structured pathway ensures that youth voices are not only heard but actively integrated into global policy conversations. Why This Initiative Matters As the world approaches the final stretch of the 2030 Agenda timeline, engaging young people is critical to accelerating progress on the Sustainable Development Goals. This initiative: Creates structured global platforms for youth dialogue Strengthens youth representation in sustainability governance Builds intergenerational collaboration Enhances accountability in global policy processes Promotes inclusive solutions to gender inequality, climate challenges, and labor market transformation By bridging grassroots insights and high-level policy forums, A Youth Vision for the World’s Future strengthens global efforts toward sustainable development. How to Get Involved Young people interested in contributing to global sustainability discussions are encouraged to: Review the consultation themes Apply to the consultation aligned with their primary interest Monitor updates as the project progresses The project page will be updated regularly with news, consultation details, and outcomes. Supported by the Ford Foundation This initiative is made possible through the support of the Ford Foundation, reinforcing a shared commitment to equity, sustainability, and youth leadership in global development. Stay Connected To receive updates on consultations, outcomes, and future opportunities, interested individuals can subscribe to the SDSN Youth newsletter and follow ongoing project announcements. A Youth Vision for the World’s Future represents a powerful step toward ensuring that global sustainability efforts reflect the priorities, innovation, and leadership of the next generation. APPLY NOW For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering the scholarships. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. 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