June 24, 2016, St. Louis, USA – The Global Youth Empowerment Fund initiated through a partnership of JCI and the UN SDG Action Campaign (formerly UN Millennium Campaign) has begun accepting grantee applications.
The Global Youth Empowerment Fund will offer grants and training to youth-led projects that advance the Global Goals for Sustainable Development in local communities around the world. The Fund was launched last year during the 2015 JCI Global Partnership Summit in New York City, USA.
Through the collaboration of civil society, multinational corporations, small businesses and governments, all sectors of society can unite to provide opportunities and inspiration for young people to harness their enthusiasm and initiate waves of global change that will ensure human dignity for all.
Applications are open to young people ages 18 to 40 who are running youth-led targeted community projects, which aim to provide sustainable solutions to local challenges and advance the Global Goals for Sustainable Development using the JCI Active Citizen Framework.
The Fund will be accepting applications from June 6 through July 6. Once the application period has closed, the top applicants will be selected and a public voting platform will open from July 15 to 22. The winning grantees will be announced during the 2016 JCI Global Partnership Summit on July 28.
The Fund has already received generous commitments from founding donors to initiate the first round of funding. The Fund will continue to develop partnerships with like-minded individuals and corporations who are committed to the vision. These substantial commitments have helped to establish the Fund and will empower youth to create a better world.
“Through launching the Global Youth Empowerment Fund, JCI will evolve from being an organization that once only provided development opportunities and tools empowering young people to create positive change, into an organization that will also provide funding, mentorship and resources to empower young active citizens and help create this change,” said JCI Secretary General Arrey Obenson.
For more information on applying for a grant or contributing to the Fund visit www.gyefund.org.
About JCI: JCI is a worldwide membership-based nonprofit organization of young active citizens ages 18 to 40 who are dedicated to creating positive change in their communities. Through projects in over 5000 communities across nearly 120 countries, members seek targeted solutions to local problems, creating a global impact.