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.
So good to welcome the new cohort of @UNOPS Youth Engagement Platform!
— Jorge Moreira da Silva (@UNOPS_Chief) May 27, 2026
With over half the world’s population under the age of 30, young people are key to tackling global challenges and shaping a future agile to the evolving needs of communities around the world.
The ‘30 under… https://t.co/qQwf0BQ2M5
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 brings 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.
The platform’s inaugural year demonstrated the power of youth leadership, elevating voices from historically underrepresented communities and fostering connections across generations. The second cohort will build on this momentum, enriching the conversation with new perspectives and driving collective action for change.
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, 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,” said 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.
New UNOPS Youth Engagement Platform cohort to deepen youth input into sustainable development
We’ve announced the second cohort of our Youth Engagement Platform, continuing efforts to strengthen the role of young people in global development discussions and decision-making.
The platform brings together young leaders from diverse backgrounds and regions to contribute perspectives on some of the world’s most pressing challenges, including climate action, sustainable infrastructure, resilience, innovation and social inclusion. By creating direct opportunities for engagement between youth representatives and UNOPS teams, the platform helps ensure that the experiences and priorities of younger generations are reflected in conversations shaping the future of sustainable development.
“Youth voices must be an integral part of the spaces where decisions are being made. This platform creates opportunities for meaningful engagement between young leaders and the international development community, while also helping UNOPS listen, learn and adapt.” - Jorge Moreira da Silva - UNOPS Executive Director
Since its launch, members of the inaugural cohort have represented UNOPS at major international events and policy forums, including COP30, the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4), the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and other global events. Through these platforms, cohort members brought forward perspectives from their communities and contributed to discussions on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. Building on this foundation, the second cohort will bring fresh insights, spark new conversations, and strengthen connections across generations.
For UNOPS, the platform provides an opportunity to engage directly with emerging leaders and strengthen dialogue with communities that will be most affected by today’s development decisions. The initiative also supports broader efforts to ensure international policy discussions are informed by a wider range of lived experiences and perspectives.
Operating under the motto “30 below 30, to get to 2030,” the Youth Engagement Platform serves in an advisory capacity and promotes collaboration across regions and thematic areas.
