Empowering Youth: UNESCO and Nestlé Unveil 'Youth Impact: Because You Matter' Initiative for Sustainability

Health Care

17 days agoPWG Publications

Empowering Youth: UNESCO and Nestlé Unveil 'Youth Impact: Because You Matter' Initiative for Sustainability

In a landmark collaboration, UNESCO and Nestlé have launched the 'Youth Impact: Because You Matter' initiative, a global program designed to empower young people to drive climate action and environmental sustainability. This initiative builds on a successful pilot phase conducted in Latin America and aims to support 100 youth-led projects across five UNESCO regions: Africa, the Arab Region, Asia and the Pacific, Europe and North America, and Latin America and the Caribbean.

Background and Objectives

The 'Youth Impact: Because You Matter' initiative aligns with UNESCO's long-standing commitment to empowering young people, fostering peace, and addressing global challenges. Nestlé's involvement brings significant resources and expertise, particularly through its Youth Entrepreneurship Platform (YEP), which will serve as the central hub for capability-building programs. The initiative aims to address pressing issues such as climate change, sustainable food systems, and environmental sustainability.

Key Focus Areas

Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation: Developing strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change impacts.
Sustainable Food Systems: Enhancing the resilience and sustainability of food production, processing, and consumption.
Regenerative Agricultural Practices: Promoting sustainable agriculture methods that improve ecosystem health.
Renewable Energy Solutions: Encouraging low-carbon economies through renewable energy adoption.
Ecosystem Resilience: Protecting natural and cultural heritage sites from climate-related risks[1][3][5].

Program Benefits

Selected participants will benefit from:

Grant Funding: Each project will receive a USD 8,500 grant to support implementation.
Training and Mentorship: Participants will engage in a six-month capacity-building program, including:
Immersion Training: Workshops led by Nestlé experts on entrepreneurship and project management.
Online Contextualized Training: Sessions tailored to specific geographical challenges.
Monthly Online Gatherings: Insights from UNESCO and Nestlé experts on project execution and innovation.
One-on-One Mentorship: Personalized guidance from Nestlé executive mentors[3][4][5].

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

Age Requirement: Fall within the 18-30 years age range.
Project Focus: Align with environmental sustainability and climate action themes.
Project Scope: Local or national impact and implemented within six months.
Team Composition: Led by at least three young people with a designated leader[3][4][5].

Application Process

Application Deadline: 8 April 2025, 23:59 CET.
Submission: Applications must be submitted in English via the designated online portal[4][5].

Timeline

| Phase | Date | |-------|------| | Call for Applications | 18 Mar – 8 Apr 2025 | | Project Evaluation | 9 Apr – 9 Jun 2025 | | Award Ceremony | 18 Sep 2025 | | Capability Building Programme | Aug 2025 – Apr 2026[4][5].

Conclusion

The 'Youth Impact: Because You Matter' initiative marks a significant step forward in empowering young people to address global environmental challenges. By providing financial support, training, and mentorship, UNESCO and Nestlé are equipping the next generation with the tools needed to create a more sustainable future.

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