UNICEF and All-China Youth Federation launch project to empower youth to develop climate solutions
The project will form a key pillar of Generation Unlimited China, slated for launch later this year.
Beijing, 12 August 2024 – UNICEF China and the All-China Youth Federation (ACYF) today announced a new Youth Green Skills Development and Entrepreneurship project to train and empower young people across China in entrepreneurship and social responsibility, in order to enhance youth employability, link young people to work opportunities, and facilitate the transition to a greener economy.
The project was announced at the World Youth Development Forum in Beijing, hosted by ACYF. It will form a key pillar of Generation Unlimited China, which will launch later this year.
“Young people in China and around the world are facing an uncertain future due to the impacts of climate change, together with a lack of relevant skills,” UNICEF Representative to China Amakobe Sande said. “This initiative will address both challenges by giving young people the skills and opportunities to work in the green economy, while also unlocking their ideas and enthusiasm to tackle environmental issues and create a green future.”
The Youth Green Skills Development and Entrepreneurship project will focus on entrepreneurial, transferable and green skills through regional and national training camps, online courses and exchange activities. It will provide support to incubate ideas, including seed funding, mentorship and a collaborative network. By leveraging digital platforms and global events, the project will encourage youth participation in climate-smart entrepreneurship, internships and volunteer activities.
The project also has a focus on inclusivity, ensuring that the most marginalized young people, including those from rural areas and regions with higher disparities, are actively involved in activities.
Regional training camps will be held in collaboration with colleges, vocational schools and incubators in China. Following the training, around 80 projects will be selected for advanced training at a national training camp, and 50 of these will be selected to participate in a Global Youth Entrepreneurship Incubation week in 2025.
Incubation support will provide young people with diverse entrepreneurship and career development mentors, including global experts from the private sector. The project will connect young people, especially those from disadvantaged areas, with internship, employment, apprenticeship and exchange opportunities relating to sustainable development.
The project will develop a collaborative support network of young people, international organizations, private sector partners, investors and global and domestic mentors, to foster a connected community with shared values.
The Youth Green Skills Development and Entrepreneurship project will form part of Generation Unlimited in China. This is a public-private youth partnership coordinated by UNICEF to skill up young people around the world and connect them to opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship and social impact.
Without action, 60 per cent of the world’s young people are projected to lack essential skills by 2030, putting their prospects for dignified lives at risk. To address this, Generation Unlimited creates public-private-youth consortiums, bringing together over 3,000 partners around the world with diverse capabilities, assets and reach.
The World Youth Development Forum, where the project was launched, aims to share knowledge and best practice on youth development; showcase youth innovations and initiatives in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); and provide a platform to discuss youth issues and work together for youth and global development.
The Youth Green Skills Development and Entrepreneurship Project will last for three years, from 2024 to 2027. “By the end of this time, we expect thousands of young people in China will have acquired critical skills, enabling them to create and sustain green enterprises,” UNICEF Representative to China Amakobe Sande said. “We hope that these youth-led projects will contribute to environmental sustainability and rural revitalization, addressing urgent social needs, tacking climate change and improving the economy of China.”