A Movement Built Together: Youth Co:Lab’s Ten Years in the Making

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Youth Co:Lab’s Ten Years in the Making

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A Movement Built Together: Youth Co:Lab’s Ten Years in the Making

June 26, 2026

Asia-Pacific is home to over 60% of the world’s youth population, approximately 660-750 million individuals aged 15-24. Yet persistent structural barriers, youth unemployment rates of 10-20%, and the fact that roughly one-quarter of regional youth are not in employment, education, or training (NEET) underscore an urgent development imperative. Youth Co:Lab was founded in 2017 as a flagship initiative co-led by UNDP and the Citi Foundation to address these gaps through leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurship. This report synthesizes ten years of contribution across the Asia-Pacific region (2017-2026) and informs strategic positioning for 2026 and beyond.