LocationsCelebrating International Youth Day: Empowering South Sudan’s Youth for Sustainable Development
UNDP Resident Representative’s Message for International Youth Day 2025
August 14, 2025
Dr. Mohamed Abchir during a graduation at Juba VTC where 750 youth graduated under the SEED4Youth project that supports vocational training.
UNDP/Maureen Omwanda
In South Sudan, the Youth aged 18–35 years make up about 72% of the country's population, with most residing in rural areas. Despite their vast potential, high rates of youth unemployment still exceed 50%, contributing to fragility and insecurity. The significant issues include low demand in the labor markets, limited supply of skilled labor, incompatibility of employment prospects and education, and limited youth policies. All these factors directly contribute to the marginalization of Youth, which prevents them from being an active participant in peacebuilding, economic advancement, and governance. Countering these problems, require the use of youth empowerment-focused efforts is much-needed in South Sudan's transition to sustainable development and lasting peace.
The International Youth Day, under the theme "Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond," celebrates the vitality, creativity, and innovation of young people while highlighting issues such as unemployment, limited education, and exclusion from decision-making. The day amplifies youth voices, highlights youth leadership, and lobbies for inclusive policies that foster resilience and sustainability. Youth empowerment requires quality education, vocational training, and entrepreneurial skills as well as active participation in leadership to be globally competitive. Harnessing their creativity through technology and innovation can address pressing societal issues, and achieving this vision demands sustained investment from government, donors, and the private sector to unlock the full potential of future generations.
UNDP’s Role in Youth Empowerment and Innovation
Despite challenges, significant milestones have been achieved. Over the Years, UNDP has invested in youth empowerment initiatives to drive Youth Empowerment. Notably, Youth and women’s vocational skills training in eight states to improve employability and entrepreneurship. So far, over 30,000 youths have been trained in 22 vocational trades, with almost 24,000 of them now generating an income as a direct consequence. In addition, nearly 2,400 micro and small businesses have been assisted, creating more than 4,400 jobs for young individuals and women. In response to an overwhelming need to improve financial inclusion, UNDP is piloting an interest-free financing facility that extends interest-free loans to women and youth. This program has disbursed more than 2 billion South Sudanese pounds to more than 550 micro and small businesses across five states, creating almost 4,000 jobs in businesses owned and operated by youth.
To foster leadership and employability, the UNDP instituted the Youth Ambassadors Program and the Women and Youth Leadership Program. These initiatives are empowering educated, but marginalized, young women and men through career development, internships, coaching, mentoring, and leadership training. Through the capacity and confidence building, these programs nurture role models, and position them to be employment, enabling them to lead and drive transformation positively.
UNDP’s Peace and Community Cohesion Project initiated a youth-led program that addressed root causes of violence by integrating peacebuilding and youth economic empowerment in Eastern Equatoria State. UNDP offered vocational training, business starter kits, and youth cooperatives support, and promoted women’s inclusion in governance and conflict resolution. This comprehensive approach decreased dependence on cattle raids by offering alternative sources of livelihood and building economic resilience, and thereby underpinning lasting regional peace and stability. The project registered quantitative achievements in enhancing peace, cohesion, and economic empowerment throughout Kapoeta North, South, and East. A cumulative 900 persons—520 women and 380 youth—engaged with peace forums, vocational training, and livelihood support programs. Beyond these figures, the program inspired transformative societal change. Youth who previously engaged in cattle raids took up new roles as peace advocates and entrepreneurs. Incorporating livelihood support into peace efforts reduced youth exposure to violence and built the foundation for sustained community resilience and inter-communal peacebuilding.
UNDP is also advancing innovation and digitalization in South Sudan a key factor in youth development. The country’s largest digital marketplace has been launched, registering over 2,600 micro and small enterprises, and expanding e-commerce and trade capabilities. Six Innovation Hubs, in the states provide young people with business development services, career counseling, entrepreneurship training, and continuous learning opportunities. At the heart of these efforts is UNIPOD, a vibrant makerspace that transforms ideas into reality. UNIPOD offers facilities and programs for innovation, entrepreneurship, design, and fabrication labs, mentorship, coaching, and capacity building. intellectual property support, rapid prototyping, digital literacy, green energy, AgriTech, textiles, and event hosting and we committed to doing more.
Rose Ismael, 22yrs, a former IDP from Malakal at her fruit and vegetable stall. She received an interest free loan from Youth Enterprise Development and Capacity Building (YEDCB)Project to boost her business.
UNDP/Maureen Omwanda
Partnerships and Policies Driving Youth Empowerment
On this International Youth Day, we proudly acknowledge the unwavering support of our partners, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the African Development Bank, JICA, KOICA and the Government of South Sudan, whose commitment has been instrumental in advancing youth empowerment across the country.
In the spirit of “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond,” we challenge policymakers to invest in youth-led efforts, mainstream young voices in decision-making, and develop enabling policies to stimulate skills development and employment generation. UNDP has actively supported several youth focused policies, reports and tracer studies particularly centered on youth and women empowerment, employment, peacebuilding, and rule of law awareness. We urge public and private institutions to offer internships, mentorship, and financing of youth-led innovations, so ideas develop into sustainable projects. And to young people themselves: take every opportunity to learn, lead, and cooperate; turn obstacles into imaginative solutions; and advocate development in your communities.
António Guterres, the UN Secretary General, reaffirmed the United Nations' commitment to driving sustainable development and more inclusive communities — reminding us to celebrate young people for their determination, creativity, and leadership. He emphasized that young people are bold innovators, resilient organizers, and essential partners in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, and urged all stakeholders to work together to support youth-led solutions and build a more just, peaceful, and sustainable world, from the ground up.
We are reminded that the future of our communities, our nations, and our world resides lies in the hands of the youth. They are key actors in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. When we empower youth through education, skills, and opportunities, we lay a foundation to eradicate poverty, provide quality education, put an end to gender inequality, and create peaceful and inclusive societies. Investing in young people is an investment not only in short-term results but in long-term resilience, as empowered young leaders foster innovations, resilient communities, and sustainable development to last many generations to come. UNDP shall continue to advocate for empowerment through comprehensive programs that develop skills, enhance leadership, and develop enabling environments.
UNDP is advancing Youth Creativity and Innovation in South Sudan through the UNIPOD located at the University of Juba.
UNDP/Sarah Abraham
Government of South Sudan, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the African Development Bank, JICA and KOICA
UNDP/2025