Generation Unlimited

"Our athletes, our creatives and entrepreneurs are already showing what resilience and talent can achieve... With the right partnerships, South Sudan’s youth won't just seek jobs, they will create them – for our economy, our unity, our future.” - H.E. Josephine Lagu Yanga, Vice President, South Sudan. At the Generation Unlimited Global Leadership, Vice President Lagu Yanga shared South Sudan's vision for empowering its youth - turning one of the world's youngest populations into a driving force for innovation, jobs, and inclusive growth. Because when partners invest in young people to be #WorkLifeReady, entire nations move forward.

Access to decent work can transform possibilities for girls and young women, helping them shape their own futures. Through the Digital Girls Hub initiative by YuWaah India at UNICEF Generation Unlimited, young women across India are gaining employable skills, entering the workforce, and driving change in their families and communities. Meet Monika Kaushal, Sapna Pal, Sapna Pandey and Jyoti Gurjar - four of over 9,500 girls and young women on their journey to be #WorkLifeReady, moving confidently from learning to earning.

From learner to aspiring diplomat! Samyra has already completed a political participation course through the Equipe 1 Milhão de Oportunidades (One Million Opportunities) programme from UNICEF Generation Unlimited and partners, and plans to study International Relations after graduating high school. Samyra is #WorkLifeReady to learn, lead, and represent. Young people have the ambition, but they need the opportunities to match. We must work together to bridge the gap between skills and livelihoods. #GirlGoals © UNICEF/BRZ/Jéssica Lauane

How can national skills systems better support adolescent girls and young women to thrive in future economies? That question was central to HERizon Fest 2025: Celebrating Women, Skills & Employment – a two-day high-level convening in Dhaka organized by the National Skills Development Authority and GIZ Bangladesh. The event brought together key government leaders, private sector, donors, international experts, and civil society to exchange ideas on advancing women-and girl-centered approaches to skills and employment. Generation Unlimited’s Deputy Director Urmila Sarkar contributed global perspectives, sharing lessons from initiatives like the Girls’ Education and Skills Partnership (GESP) on linking skills development to livelihood opportunities. Alongside technical workshops and a marketplace with UNICEF Bangladesh, HERizon Fest highlighted the importance of gender-responsive policies, financing, and collaboration across sectors. Thank you to GIZ Bangladesh’s ADVANTAGE programme and partners for creating a space to advance these critical discussions. 🔗 Read more: https://lnkd.in/eZTi7Y2n 🎥 Watch the talk at HERizon Fest 2025: https://lnkd.in/eUKpMU2v #WorkLifeReady

The power and potential of youth in shaping the future of work!   On this World Day for Decent Work, meet these inspiring youth leading the way in digital innovation, rural enterprise and fragile contexts.   These stories showcase the impact and leadership of youth in building a better and more equitable world of work.    ➤ Meet Clara, a farmer, agripreneur and mentor from Malawi [bit.ly/4nZX6JS]   ➤ Learn how the Girls’ Education and Skills Partnership (GESP) is driving digital change in India, Bangladesh & Nigeria [bit.ly/48olf8J]   ➤ Listen to refugee youth from Syria & Yemen championing rights at work [bit.ly/4oaGIq9]   Let’s continue to support and invest in youth as key drivers of inclusive and decent work for all!   #WorkLifeReady #DecentJobsforYouth

Kevin Frey, Generation Unlimited CEO, met with Jozef Síkela, EU Commissioner, to discuss how partnerships with the private sector can help equip young people with the skills they need, create meaningful opportunities, and support their journey from learning to earning, ensuring they are #WorkLifeReady.

With the support and expertise of Mohamed Kande, Global Chairman at PwC and Co-Chair of the Generation Unlimited Global Leadership Council (GLC), last week at the GLC panel, leaders from government, business, multilateral organisations and youth representatives from different sectors came together to discuss how shared commitments can be turned into action. They explored ways to equip young people with market-relevant skills for employment, create meaningful opportunities, and build sustainable livelihoods, empowering youth to become #WorkLifeReady. Together, we will continue advancing initiatives that provide youth with the skills, experiences and opportunities to thrive.

"This is our call today: to break down silos, to pool our strengths, to scale our impact, and to act with the urgency this moment demands. Because over one billion futures are on the line." – Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director and Co-Chair of the Generation Unlimited Global Leadership Council. Addressing leaders from governments, businesses, foundations, civil society, and youth, ED Russell called for a global effort, bold partnerships and new models of financing to unlock #WorkLifeReady skills and opportunities for young people. By prioritizing a large-scale effort over incremental progress, we turn a generation at risk to a Generation of Opportunity.

“It’s a critical time: the largest generation of young people in history is seeking pathways to decent work and entrepreneurship.” – Randeep Sarai, Secretary of State (International Development), Canada 🇨🇦 At the Generation Unlimited Global Leadership Council, he called for bold, cross-sector action to tackle youth unemployment and skills gaps. Governments, businesses, and young people must collaborate to create scalable #WorkLifeReady solutions for a more inclusive, prosperous future. The Government of Canada is a Lead Government Partner of Generation Unlimited, championing the economic empowerment of young people, especially girls and young women. © UNICEF Generation Unlimited/Gruber