Today is International Youth Day 2025

International Youth Day (IYD) is celebrated annually on August 12th, with the aim of recognizing the fundamental role of young people in societies and raising awareness of the challenges and opportunities they face around the world, establishing itself as an opportunity to draw the attention of the international community to youth issues.

This day is not just another date on the international calendar. It provides a platform to promote youth engagement and celebrate their contributions to society, development, and peace. It is also a milestone that reminds the world that half the world's population is young and that, without their active participation, there is no sustainable future possible.

International Youth Day 2025 arrives with a meaningful theme: "Local Youth Initiatives for the SDGs and Beyond!" This is not a mere slogan. It is an urgent invitation for new generations to transform written commitments into tangible actions, felt in the streets, neighborhoods, villages, and cities.

Youth, so often portrayed as passive beneficiaries, are here recognized as active agents of change – creators of solutions, mobilizers of communities, and builders of bridges between political decisions and people's real lives.

The world is less than five years away from the 2030 Agenda deadline. Many indicators show progress, but others reveal stagnation or even regression.

The climate crisis, economic inequality, and social instability directly affect young people, especially in the most vulnerable regions. Therefore, focusing on local, youth-led actions is not only desirable: it's vital.

The Origin of the Day

Image © 2025 UN (20250812) Today is International Youth Day 2025 International Youth Day was officially proclaimed on December 17, 1999, by the United Nations General Assembly, through the Resolution 54/120. The impulse came from World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth, held in Lisbon, in August 1998.

The goal was clear: to create an annual day that would draw worldwide attention to youth issues and recognize the essential role of young people in sustainable development and peacebuilding. But the story goes back even further.

As early as 1965, the UN had approved the Declaration on the Promotion by Youth of the Ideals of Peace, Mutual Respect, and Understanding among Peoples, emphasizing the value of youth in global harmony. In 1985, the International Year of Youth was celebrated under the motto Participation, Development and Peace.

This celebration paved the way for a lasting commitment, culminating in the creation of a day dedicated exclusively to young people. Since its first celebration, International Youth Day has explored themes that reflect the concerns and aspirations of younger generations. Discussions have included food security, mental health, intergenerational solidarity, and ecological skills.

Each year, the theme seeks not only to inspire, but also to guide public policies, mobilize youth organizations, and raise awareness among communities about the importance of listening to and including young people in the decisions that shape their present and future.

The 2025 theme stands out for reinforcing local action as a bridge to achieving global goals, strengthening the role of municipal governments and community associations in the process.

The 2025 Theme

The 2025 Theme – Local Youth Initiatives for the SDGs and Beyond! – connects youth with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs are a global pact, but their achievement depends on specific actions adapted to the realities of each region. More than 65% of the SDG targets are directly linked to the responsibilities of local and regional governments.

And this is precisely where youth plays a crucial role. At the local level, young people have intimate knowledge of the needs and weaknesses of their communities. They have the sensitivity to identify problems and the creativity to find innovative solutions.

Whether it's waste management, promoting renewable energy, encouraging entrepreneurship, or supporting social causes, young people can transform political intentions into tangible results. While the SDG targets are established globally, change happens on the ground.

Translating these commitments into local public policies, accompanied by the direct participation of young people, ensures that strategies don't remain merely on paper. The 2025 theme leaves no doubt: young people should not be seen as beneficiaries, but as partners.

Including youth in local governance is not a symbolic act; it is a strategic necessity for the effectiveness of sustainable development policies. By creating spaces for participation, empowering young leaders, and promoting intergenerational dialogue, communities strengthen the link between top-level decisions and concrete actions, ensuring that no one is left behind.

Who is considered young?

Image © 2025 Dardan Rushiti - UNDP Kosovo (20250812) Today is International Youth Day 2025 There is no universal definition of “youth.” For statistical purposes, the UN considers young people to be those aged 15 to 24, a definition adopted in Resolution 36/28 1981 and used since the preparations for the International Year of Youth in 1985.

However, this framework varies from country to country, influenced by cultural, economic, and political factors. In many states, the age of "majority"—the age at which one acquires full legal capacity—does not exactly coincide with the range defined by the UN.

There is also a distinction between "children" and "young people." According to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, anyone under the age of 18 is considered a child, even if, for other statistics, they may be classified as juvenile. This intersection of definitions is essential to ensure adequate legal protection for everyone in this age group.

Currently, the planet is home to 1,2 billion young people between the ages of 15 and 24—about 16% of the global population. By 2030, this number is projected to reach 1,3 billion. Today's young generation is the largest in history, and at the same time, it faces unprecedented challenges.

Youth unemployment, for example, affects 73 million young people. To absorb the labor force entering the market annually, 475 million new jobs will need to be created by 2030.

Furthermore, two in five young people are either unemployed or employed in precarious, low-paying jobs. And nearly 60% of 10-year-olds in low- and middle-income countries cannot read and understand a simple paragraph—a clear sign that educational inequality continues to limit opportunities.

These figures reveal the urgency of active policies that guarantee quality education, decent work and the effective participation of young people in decision-making processes.

Youth as a Driving Force

Quality Education – SDG 4

Education is a fundamental right and the key to unlocking the potential of youth. Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) calls for inclusive, equitable and quality education, as well as the promotion of lifelong learning opportunities.

For young people to contribute to a productive economy and sustainable development, it is essential to ensure that primary and secondary education is not only accessible but also of high quality. This means updated curricula, qualified teachers, and adequate infrastructure.

However, reality reveals profound disparities. In many low-income countries, universal secondary education remains a distant goal. Barriers range from a lack of material resources to cultural issues that limit girls' access to school.

Technical and vocational education is equally crucial. It provides young people with practical skills for employment and entrepreneurship, enabling them to create their own opportunities. The connection between schools, training centers, and the business sector must be strengthened, ensuring that the skills taught correspond to the real needs of the labor market.

More than an investment, education is a bridge to economic, social, and political freedom. By empowering young people with knowledge and critical thinking, it paves the way for more informed leadership and more just societies.

Decent Work and Economic Growth – SDG 8

O ODS 8 addresses one of the biggest challenges faced by young people: access to decent work. Currently, young people are three times more likely to be unemployed than adults. And when they do find work, many find themselves in underemployment or informal and precarious work.

Creating job opportunities is not only an economic issue, but also a social and political one. Young people without prospects of stable employment are more vulnerable to exclusion, poverty, and, in some cases, radicalization.

The focus should be on economic diversification, encouraging youth entrepreneurship, and promoting emerging sectors such as digital technologies, the green economy, and the creative industries. Mentoring programs and paid internships can facilitate the transition from education to the job market, increasing the chances of professional integration.

Furthermore, it is essential to protect young people's labor rights, ensuring safe working conditions, fair wages, and opportunities for career advancement. Youth employment should be seen as an investment in society's future, not simply a statistic.

The Role of Governments

Local and regional governments play a crucial role in achieving the SDG targets. As the institutions closest to communities, they best understand the needs and aspirations of their citizens, including young people.

Creating municipal youth councils, participation forums, and digital dialogue platforms are effective ways to integrate youth voices into political decisions. These spaces should be not only consultative but also deliberative, ensuring that proposals made by young people have a real impact on public policy.

Cooperation with youth organizations and community associations is another key element. These entities act as bridges between young people and authorities, channeling ideas and projects that can be incorporated into local development agendas.

One of the biggest challenges in implementing the SDGs is transforming national policies into concrete actions at the local level. Often, decisions made in offices don't reflect the realities on the streets. This is where young people, with their direct connection to communities, can act as mediators.

By involving young people from policy planning to implementation, we ensure that the measures adopted are relevant, effective, and sustainable. Furthermore, when young people participate, the sense of belonging and collective responsibility increases, essential factors for the success of any development project.

Challenges for Youth

Unemployment and Underemployment

Youth unemployment continues to be one of the biggest problems of our time. According to recent data, 13% of the young workforce is unemployed, and many of those who do have jobs find themselves in precarious conditions.

Underemployment—working fewer hours than desired or in roles beneath one's qualifications—affects young people's self-esteem, motivation, and growth potential. This situation is not only an individual loss, but also a waste of talent and resources for societies.

Reversing this trend requires a coordinated effort between governments, the private sector, and civil society. Investing in sectors with growth potential, such as renewable energy, sustainable tourism, and the digital economy, can create new opportunities for young people.

Climate change

Climate change poses a direct threat to the future of our youth. Floods, droughts, storms, and other extreme events impact not only the environment but also the economy, health, and food security.

Many young people, especially in vulnerable countries, already live in areas affected by climate disasters and humanitarian crises. These situations limit access to education, increase the risk of forced displacement, and exacerbate social inequalities.

Youth involvement in climate solutions is crucial. From reforestation projects to the promotion of clean energy, young people are at the forefront of the fight for a sustainable planet. Environmental education programs and funding for youth-led green initiatives are investments that directly benefit collective well-being.

Building World Peace

The importance of young people in promoting peace was formally recognized by UN Security Council Resolution 2250, adopted in 2015. This landmark document called on states to create mechanisms that would enable the meaningful participation of young people in conflict prevention and the building of peaceful societies.

The resolution positioned young people not as bystanders but as strategic partners in global security, recognizing that their exclusion can contribute to instability, while their inclusion strengthens social cohesion.

In 2018, Resolution 2419 reinforced this commitment, encouraging youth participation in the negotiations and implementation of peace agreements. More than just words in official documents, these resolutions seek to open doors for young people to have a seat at the table where critical decisions are made.

Participation in Negotiations

The presence of young people in peace processes brings fresh perspectives and a more direct understanding of realities on the ground. Many of these young people have experienced the impacts of conflict firsthand and have a vital interest in ensuring lasting peace.

However, effective participation requires more than formal invitations. It's necessary to provide training in diplomacy, mediation, and conflict resolution, as well as create safe environments where young people's opinions are respected and considered.

By investing in the training of these young mediators, societies build not only more inclusive agreements, but also a generation prepared to prevent future crises.

World Programme of Action for Youth

Adopted in 1995, the World Programme of Action for Youth (WPAY) established 15 priority areas ranging from education and employment to health, political participation, and the environment. These areas serve as a guide for governments and organizations seeking to improve the living conditions of young people.

WPAY is not just a document of intent. It defines concrete actions so that countries can promote inclusive policies and create real opportunities for young people. Over the years, it has become a benchmark for international cooperation in the youth sector.

Relevance for 2025 and Beyond

In 2025, WPAY celebrates its 30th anniversary, coinciding with a critical moment in the race to meet the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This is an opportunity to reevaluate commitments, strengthen partnerships and ensure that the goals established three decades ago are not only achieved, but exceeded.

Alignment between WPAY, the Compact for the Future, and the Declaration on Future Generations is crucial to ensuring policy coherence and maximizing the impact of actions. These instruments emphasize that young people must be at the center of decisions that shape the world they will inherit.

Around the world, young people are creating innovative solutions to long-standing problems. From recycling projects and community gardens to digital platforms promoting financial literacy and mental health campaigns, youth initiatives are demonstrating that change begins in the neighborhood and spreads globally.

There's no shortage of examples: groups that transform vacant lots into green spaces, associations that offer technological training to unemployed young people, collectives that promote gender equality in conservative communities.

These projects, often started with limited resources, show that creativity and determination are assets as valuable as funding.

The Role of Youth Organizations

Youth-led organizations play a crucial role as talent incubators and platforms for expression. They provide not only space for action but also opportunities for learning, networking, and skills development.

When these organizations receive institutional and financial support, the impact of their actions multiplies. This is why partnerships between local governments, the private sector, and civil society are essential to scaling these initiatives and ensuring their long-term sustainability.

Challenges and Opportunities

The approaching 2030 Agenda deadline puts pressure on governments and institutions to accelerate results. However, speed must not compromise the quality of policies. It is essential that they are inclusive, participatory, and adapted to local realities.

Youth, due to their diversity and creativity, are a strategic resource for ensuring innovative and effective solutions. Inclusive policies go beyond listening to young people, but also actively involve them in the design, implementation, and evaluation of programs.

Technology and inovation

Digital technologies offer powerful tools for empowering youth. Online learning platforms, social networks for community mobilization, applications for monitoring projects and collecting real-time data—all of these can accelerate the implementation of the SDGs.

However, unequal access to technology continues to create barriers. It's necessary to invest in digital infrastructure and ensure adequate training so that all young people can benefit from these opportunities.

Innovation isn't just technological; it can be found in how communities are organized, resources are mobilized, and unexpected partnerships are created to face complex challenges.

Conclusion

O International Youth Day 2025 It's more than a commemorative date. It's a reminder that a sustainable future won't be achieved without the energy, creativity, and commitment of young people.

Local action, when well supported and integrated into national and international strategies, has the power to transform realities, reduce inequalities, and create fairer societies.

The call is clear: empower young people, invest in their ideas, and ensure their voices are heard. Because, after all, the world we want in 2030 begins to be built today, by the hands of those who will live in it.