Generation Unlimited imaGen Ventures Youth Challenge calling on young changemakers in Armenia to contribute to the SDGs

YEREVAN, 2 March 2022 – The Generation Unlimited Youth Challenge “imaGen Ventures”, launched earlier globally, was launched in Armenia today by UNICEF, UNDP, UNFPA, UN office in Armenia and AYB Educational Foundation.

The challenge calls on young innovators across Armenia and 35 other countries to design solutions to accelerate the SDGs, for example to improve education, employment, civic engagement or tackle issues in climate change, media literacy or mental health. As of 2021, with presence in over 43 countries, reaching over 15 million young people, and involving over 200 organizations, the Youth Challenge is truly a global initiative meeting young people where they are and working with them in supporting the realization of their full potential.

“Young people are experts in their own lives and experiences. They have the ideas and energy to create a better world for themselves - if only we give them the chance. We recognise that while talent is universal, opportunity is not. We work hard to support young people who have brilliant ideas but lack the resources to turn ideas into reality and we're proud to help these young innovators to develop their own game-changing ideas and make an impact for their communities,“ state the four co-host organizations.

The challenge in Armenia is supported by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports as well as private sector companies, including Synergy International Systems and Startup Armenia Scientific-Educational Foundation.

A call for applications from young people of 14 to 24 ages is now live and will end on 1 April. Successful applicants will be invited to take part in design workshops in Goris in April. Following these workshops, the most promising ideas will be selected and provided with seed funding and mentorship to support implementation.

In July 2022, the most promising solutions from Armenia will be submitted to a global judging process. These projects will receive further funding, along with a tailored global incubation programme from Generation Unlimited partners to support them to scale.

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Generation Unlimited: Generation Unlimited is a global public-private-youth partnership working to prepare young people to become productive and engaged citizens. It connects secondary-age education and training to employment and entrepreneurship, empowering every young person to thrive in the world of work.

UNICEF: UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.

UNDP: UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet.

UNFPA: UNFPA is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency. Our mission is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled.

AYB Educational Foundation:

The objective of Ayb Educational Foundation is to shape a culture of excellence in learning and support education development in Armenia. Our community directs all its efforts and investments to the development of a creative generation that would be competitive in the 21st century and ready for changes.