Locations
Youth Empowerment
Background
The Youth Empowerment Initiative in Indonesia aims to invest in and empower young people across the country, to accelerate the implementation of SDGs. The initiatives believes that youth can be leaders, who create inclusive and equitable societies free of discrimination. They can make a positive difference by taking on the challenges through social innovation, mobilising their peers and communities, and creating adaptive and innovative solutions.
The initiatives focuses on youth political, social and economic empowerment by building the capacities of young people and key stakeholders, creating safe spaces and enabling environments for increased advocacy and civic engagement to ensure equitable inclusion of youth, including women and those from marginalised groups
Our Pillars
Our Programs
Youth Co:Lab
Youth Co:Lab, co-led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Citi Foundation since 2017, is a leading initiative aimed at empowering youth to become agents of change through innovation and entrepreneurship. Rooted in the belief that young people are critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the program creates a collaborative platform that connects youth with policymakers, private sectors, and civil society to amplify their solutions.
In Indonesia, Youth Co:Lab is hosted under the Financing for Development and focuses on four main pillars: awareness, action, advocacy, and alumni engagement, ensuring that we leave no youth behind. Since 2018. We have reached more than 17.000 youth and supported over 762 youth-led startups and social enterprises. Currently shifting as a movement for inclusive youth innovation. Youth Co:Lab equips young entrepreneurs from all backgrounds with the tools, resources, and platforms to scale their impact. By making opportunities accessible to everyone, Youth Co:Lab empowers youth to drive national progress and contribute to the SDGs.
Objectives
To establish a common agenda for Asia-Pacific countries to invest in and empower youth to accelerate the implementation of the SDGs through leadership, social innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Our Contribution to Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI)
In Indonesia, 23.78% of young people aged 16–30 are classified as NEET (Not in Educati Employment, or Training) with the majority being young women. This highlights persisted gender inequality and social norms that restrict women’s economic participation, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
Through our bootcamps, we are committed to ensuring that all youth, regardless of social economic background, have access to entrepreneurship training, mentorship, market opportunities, and financing. We ensure that no one leave behind. Therefore, since 2018 Youth Co:Lab has directly supported 762 youth-led social enterprises (1,524 youth), with 57% are led by young women.
Our Impacts
Skill Our Future
Skill Our Future (SOF) is an innovative learning platform launched by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), Microsoft, and a coalition of industry stakeholders to bridge the digital divide across the Asia Pacific region. In response to rapidly evolving labor markets and the growing demand for 21st‑century competencies, SOF provides underserved youth with free, self‑paced online courses in three core areas soft skills, digital skills, and employability to enhance their capacity to lead change and secure meaningful employment.
By combining expert‑designed curricula with blended learning opportunities (including live workshops), SOF fosters a global community of changemakers who can apply practical, hands‑on knowledge to real‑world challenges. Certificates issued upon course completion bolster learners’ credentials, while ongoing access to partner‑driven opportunities ensures continued professional growth. Through this scalable, accessible model, Skill Our Future empowers young people to develop the skills needed for the future of work and to contribute effectively to sustainable development across their communities.
Objectives
To bridge the digital divide by empowering underserved youth across the Asia-Pacific with essential digital and 21st-century skills.
Our Contribution to Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI)
In Indonesia, 23.78% of young people aged 16–30 are classified as NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training), with the majority being young women. The Skill Our Future initiative targets underserved youth through inclusive digital education and leadership development, aiming to democratize access to digital skills, artificial intelligence (AI), and employment opportunities.
We have currently reached more than 57,000 youth through our activities such as LEAD+ and the Digital Future Leaders Challenge. The initiative contributes to gender equality by ensuring strong female representation in all stages of programming. Notably, women made up 62% of Training of Trainers (ToT) participants and 63% of AI-focused youth leaders, reflecting clear progress in empowering young women in tech, leadership, and community innovation.
Our Impacts
Movers Programme
The Movers Programme is a grassroot youth empowerment initiative by Youth Co:Lab, co-led by UNDP and Citi Foundation. It aims to equip young people across the Asia–Pacific region with 21st-century skills, a deep understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the capacity to spark change within their communities. The program centers around peer-led, interactive workshops focused on themes such as entrepreneurship, climate action, gender equality, education, and digital skills.
Movers begin as participants in workshops and progress through a structured journey to become facilitators, mentors, and even community leaders. This volunteer-driven approach builds leadership, communication, and facilitation skills while fostering a network of changemakers. With minimal barriers to entry and flexible implementation (online or offline), the program empowers youth to localize the SDGs and scale their impact through knowledge-sharing and mentorship. As the programme cultivate purpose-driven action at the grassroots level, we are contributing meaningfully to inclusive, sustainable development and youth-led transformation across the region.
Objectives
To empower young people with essential 21st-century skills by engaging them in peer-led, interactive workshops focused on the SDGs, entrepreneurship, leadership, and digital literacy.
Our Contribution to Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI)
We have successfully engaged 22,286 youth through our Movers Programme, covering a diverse range of topics including sustainability, environmental awareness, personal development, health, and digital skills. This initiative actively promotes gender equality by ensuring strong female representation at every stage of the program, from planning and facilitation to participation and leadership.
