Powering Young Initiatives

Nominations are now open for the 2026 World YMCA Awards! 🏆

YMCAs worldwide are invited to nominate outstanding projects aligning with YMCA Vision 2030. Awards will be presented at World Council in Toronto, Canada.

The 2026 Awards will highlight outstanding projects that align with YMCA Vision 2030 and across the four Pillars: Community Wellbeing, Meaningful Work, Sustainable Planet and Just World.

Nominate up to four projects (one per category) that demonstrate impact, innovation, and meaningful community difference.

📅 Deadline: 16 March 2026, 23:59 CET
📝 Nominations accepted in English, Spanish and French

The form and details at https://www.ymca.int/world-ymca-awards/ or email [email protected]

Are you a graduate in the health sector looking to build financial discipline and entrepreneurial skills?

Young Women in Action (YWA), in partnership with Amref, invites you to join our Village Savings & Loan Association (VSLA) initiative!

This is your chance to network, save, and learn how to turn your skills into a thriving enterprise.

Who Can Join?
✅ Nurses, Midwives, Clinical Officers & Health Volunteers
✅ Recent Graduates (Classes 2023–2025)
✅ Persons with Disabilities
✅ Focus: Financial Discipline & Entrepreneurship

Available in: Lusaka, Kafue, Ndola, and Kitwe

How to Apply:
Click the link below to fill out the application form 👇
https://forms.gle/m3uHeq82zb21g6hD8

UNESCO is happy to share the Call for Applications for the YoU-CAN Steering Committee! 🌍✨

The UNESCO Youth Climate Action Network (YoU-CAN) is a global platform bringing together youth climate networks worldwide to strengthen cooperation and scale up youth-led climate action. Since its launch at COP25 in 2019, YoU-CAN has grown into a vibrant community amplifying youth voices in climate dialogue and policy spaces.

YoU-CAN is now looking for 8 new Steering Committee members (more details in the Terms of Reference) for a 2-year mandate to help guide the Network’s next chapter - shaping strategy, governance, and priorities, and ensuring meaningful youth engagement across UNESCO’s climate work.

If you’re part of a youth-led network or know young leaders passionate about climate action and global cooperation (see the eligibility criteria in the Call for Applications), please apply & share! 🙌

👉 Apply here: https://bit.ly/460hunZ
🗓 Deadline: 15 February 2026

Let’s keep strengthening youth leadership on climate action! 🚀

🚨 Call for Applications 🚨

The Youth Platform - TYP is seeking a highly qualified and experienced Master Trainer to conduct a comprehensive Training of Trainers program. The goal is to build the capacity of field staff and community leaders to effectively implement and supervise Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) models.

If you have strong experience in VSLA methodologies, participatory training, and capacity building, this is your chance to make real impact at community level.

👉Check out the qualifications and requirements, and submit your application: https://tinyurl.com/54a3r8hr

📅 DEADLINE: 16th February 2026

🌱 Apply Now: Youth Climate Justice Fund (YCJF) 2026 🌱

YCJF provides direct funding to youth-led climate justice and socio-environmental movements worldwide. Strengthen your local or national initiatives with grants designed for inclusive, community-rooted climate action.

💰 Funding Overview
● Local groups: Up to USD 20,000
● National groups: Up to USD 40,000

🌍 Who Can Apply
● Youth-led groups aged 35 or below
● Based in: East Asia & Pacific, Middle East & North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America & Caribbean, South Asia, Europe & Central Asia, North America
● Groups from high-income countries must represent marginalized communities
● Must be non-partisan, non-violent, legally operating, and focused on community-based action

📌 YCJF Supports Groups That 📌
● Build inclusive and diverse leadership
● Promote accountability and ambition in climate action
● Strengthen community power and policy engagement

📝 Application Process
● Call for applications open for 4 weeks
● Regional Committees screen, review, and shortlist proposals
● Joint decision-making ensures fair and youth-led selection
● Selected groups receive support for grant compliance and join the YCJF global community

📅 Apply in 2026 – download the application package in Arabic, English, French, Hindi, Portuguese, Spanish, or Swahili.

🔗 Learn more: https://www.globalsouthopportunities.com/2026/01/31/youth-36/

https://www.goodmarket.global/poweringyounginitiatives