The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)
Youth at the table, practical solutions on the agenda
UNOPS is channeling the vision and leadership of young changemakers to shape solutions that last.
One message is clear from today's @UNOPS Youth Engagement Platform: climate and conflict are impacting the next generation’s future. We are leaving them a debt they did not create and may not be able to repay. This is a responsibility we cannot ignore. pic.twitter.com/Mg1GITBo19
— Jorge Moreira da Silva (@UNOPS_Chief) May 20, 2025
Young people have always been at the forefront of social change – from driving climate action and advocating for gender equality to pushing for peace, innovation and a resilient future.
The power of youth lies in their vision, energy and innovation. By challenging the status quo and driving new solutions, they can shape a better future.
Recognized as powerful agents of change, youth bring unmatched energy, creativity and urgency to the world’s biggest challenges. As the ones who will inherit the outcomes of today’s decisions, their voices are essential in shaping the solutions of tomorrow.
The UNOPS Youth Engagement Platform (YEP) was created to harness this momentum. Operating under the motto “30 below 30, to get to 2030,” the platform has brought together 30 inspiring young leaders – all under the age of 30 – who serve in an advisory capacity to UNOPS. They offer critical insights on how global challenges and emerging trends could shape UNOPS priorities and impact.
Throughout its inaugural year, the platform will champion youth voices from historically underrepresented communities and emphasize the need for inter-generational dialogue.
Half the world’s population is under 30 – their transformative power immense
"In my home state of Rio Grande do Sul, we have experienced some of the worst flooding in history over the past couple of years. It’s affecting the most vulnerable communities and is getting worse every year,” says Henrique San Martin Borges, who co-chairs the platform from his home country Brazil.
Real change that can protect us won't just happen. It starts with young people showing up today. That's why I’m happy to take a seat at the table with the rest of the UNOPS Youth Engagement Platform. To really discuss issues like these.
“I am a transgender woman from a small community in Bangladesh. I lost my family’s support just for being myself. Life has been a hard fight every single day. People like me are pushed aside, and we don’t even have legal identity to prove we exist,” says Manisha Meem Nipun, YEP member from Bangladesh.
But real change won’t come if we stay silent. It begins when young people like us rise up and speak out. That’s why I’ve joined the UNOPS Youth Engagement Platform to make sure our voices are heard and to fight for a world where everyone is treated with respect and dignity.
Youth at the forefront: Highlights from the UNOPS YEP 2025 in-person meeting
The UNOPS YEP meeting from 19-21 May 2025, in Copenhagen was a powerful reminder of the vital role young people play in shaping a sustainable future. The three-day event brought together 30 talented young people, all under the age of 30, from around the globe to discuss how UNOPS can better align its initiatives with the values and needs of the next generation. The conversations were far from one-sided; they were designed to listen, learn and co-create solutions with the youth, fostering a space where young voices were not only heard but will actively help shape the direction of the organization's work.
“Young people are not just stakeholders in the future, they are the ones who will live with the consequences of today’s decisions the longest.” - Jorge Moreira da Silva - UNOPS Executive Director
Throughout the event, participants focused on pressing global issues such as climate change, conflict and social inclusion, emphasizing the need for bold, forward-thinking solutions. The platform allowed members to directly engage with UNOPS leadership, sharing innovative ideas for the 2030 Agenda and beyond. As the discussions unfolded, it became clear that these young voices are not just advocating for change – they are driving it. From climate action to peacebuilding, the YEP members highlighted the urgency of addressing the triple planetary crisis and how it disproportionately impacts their generation, urging that a sustainable, just future can only be built if youth are given a hand in defining it.
The closing plenary reaffirmed the commitment to integrating youth-driven insights into UNOPS strategic operations, ensuring that their perspectives will continue to shape the organization's approach to global challenges. As we face a world where the social contract weakens, this platform is a crucial step in scaling up support for youth with the flexibility, courage and commitment needed to create lasting impact. The YEP meeting was not just a dialogue – it was a call to action, and one thing was clear: the youth are ready to lead, and UNOPS is ready to follow with intent, urgency and integrity.
The UNOPS Youth Platform – from around the world
