Youth Day of Service 2023 Grant Program: Empowering African Youth for Sustainable Development

What’s SDG?

SDG stands for Sustainable Development Goals.

 

They are a set of 17 global goals established by the United Nations in 2015, aimed at addressing various social, economic, and environmental challenges to achieve a more sustainable and equitable future for all by the year 2030.

 

The United Nations established 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015.

 

These goals aim to address various global challenges and improve the lives of people around the world.

Here they are:

1. No Poverty
2. Zero Hunger
3. Good Health and Well-being
4. Quality Education
5. Gender Equality
6. Clean Water and Sanitation
7. Affordable and Clean Energy
8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
9. Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
10. Reduced Inequality
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
12. Responsible Consumption and Production
13. Climate Action
14. Life Below Water
15. Life on Land
16. Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
17. Partnerships for the Goals

 

These goals are interconnected and address issues ranging from poverty and hunger to environmental sustainability and social equality. They serve as a blueprint for global action and cooperation to create a better and more sustainable future for all.

 

About United Nations (UN) 

The United Nations (UN) is an international organization founded in 1945 after World War II to promote peace, security, and cooperation among nations. Its main objectives are to maintain international peace and security, promote social progress and better living standards, protect human rights, and provide a platform for dialogue and diplomacy among member states.

 

The UN works on various global issues, such as climate change, poverty, humanitarian aid, and the advancement of international law and justice. It has 193 member countries.

 

Some of the member countries include the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Japan, China, India, Brazil, Australia, South Africa, and many more

 

Empowering African youth for sustainable development is crucial for several reasons, some of these include;

1. Demographic Advantage: Africa has a youthful population, with a significant proportion under the age of 30. By empowering and investing in their potential, it creates a demographic dividend that can drive economic growth and development.
2. Addressing Youth Unemployment: Empowering youth with skills, education, and opportunities can combat high youth unemployment rates in Africa. This fosters economic stability and reduces poverty, contributing to overall sustainable development.
3. Innovation and Entrepreneurship: African youth are a source of creativity and innovation. By empowering them, we unlock their potential to create impactful solutions for various societal and environmental challenges, promoting sustainable practices.
4. Social Inclusion: Empowering African youth ensures social inclusion and equal opportunities, irrespective of gender, ethnicity, or background. It fosters a more inclusive and equitable society.
5. Environmental Stewardship: Youth are the ones who will inherit the consequences of current environmental issues. By empowering them with education and awareness, they can become responsible stewards of their environment, driving sustainability efforts.
6. Peace and Stability: Engaging and empowering African youth can contribute to peacebuilding efforts and conflict resolution, promoting stability and reducing violence.
7. Long-term Development: Investing in youth today ensures the development of a skilled workforce and future leaders, securing sustainable growth and progress for Africa in the long run.

 

Overall, empowering African youth for sustainable development is not only a moral imperative but also a strategic investment in the continent’s future prosperity and well-being. It can catalyze positive change and drive progress towards achieving the SDGs.

 

Introduction:

Join the movement of changemakers across Africa to advance the 17 Global Goals by participating in the Youth Day of Service (YDOS) 2023.

 

This annual Pan-African, youth-led social impact campaign coincides with the celebration of the UN International Youth Day in August. YDOS provides a platform to harness the energy, creativity, and innovation of African youths, encouraging them to volunteer their time, skills, and resources to deliver a sustainable future for Africa.

 

By resourcing young people with the tools and opportunities they need to make a positive impact on their communities, YDOS empowers them to become active agents of change and support accelerated progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

 

YDOS Background and the Power of African Youth:

Africa is the youngest continent in the world, with 70% of its population in Sub-Saharan Africa under the age of 30. By 2030, the target date for achieving the SDGs, the global youth population is projected to have grown by 7%, with Sub-Saharan Africa having more than double the youth population of China.

 

These statistics show that Africa is teeming with a creative, vibrant, and energetic youth population, which holds the potential to influence and positively impact their communities and nations.

 

Youth Volunteering for Sustainable Development:

Volunteering plays a crucial role in achieving the SDGs, and African youth have increasingly taken an active part in volunteering for transformative change. From advocating for justice and equality to tree planting and community development, young people have demonstrated their centrality in building and sustaining healthy and inclusive societies.

 

The Youth Day of Service 2023 seeks to unite youths from across Africa, empowering them through capacity-building and ecosystem resourcing to implement SDG action projects in their communities.

 

Benefits of Youth Day of Service 2023:

1. Education: The YDOS aims to educate Africa’s youth on the importance of volunteerism and community service in achieving the SDGs through capacity-building opportunities and social campaigns. By raising awareness about the SDGs and their relevance to local communities, YDOS fosters a culture of engagement and responsibility among young people.
2. Motivation: YDOS seeks to motivate African youth to take active roles in the implementation of the SDGs on the continent. By showcasing existing youth-led initiatives that are making a difference through the lens of the SDGs, the campaign inspires young individuals to join the movement and be part of the solution.
3. Empowerment: YDOS empowers African youth by providing seed funds to implement SDG action projects in their communities. This support allows young changemakers to turn their ideas into tangible projects that address local challenges and contribute to the achievement of the SDGs.
4. Ecosystem Building: The campaign aims to establish a Pan-African youth ecosystem that promotes resource sharing, co-creation, and multisectoral collaboration in solving global challenges. By bringing together diverse stakeholders from various industries, YDOS fosters an inclusive and collaborative approach to addressing complex issues.

 

Conclusion:

The Youth Day of Service 2023 is a call to action for African youth to be proactive in shaping their communities and driving sustainable development. By participating in this campaign, young individuals have the opportunity to be part of a larger movement that aims to transform Africa’s future through volunteerism, community service, and SDG action projects. Together, we can create a brighter and more sustainable future for Africa and the world.

 

How To Apply

Interested and qualified candidate should,

 

CLICK HERE TO APPLY and be a part of the change!

 

Application Deadline for participation: 18th August, 2023