UNESCO and the K-pop icon SEVENTEEN today celebrated the impact of their joint youth empowerment initiative “Going Together – For Youth Creativity and Well-Being” and officially launched the ambitious Scale-Up Phase. In the presence of JOSHUA of SEVENTEEN, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Youth, the high-level event showcased the ten outstanding grantees whose projects will be expanded under the new phase.
Young people are shaping our world today through their creativity and innovation. UNESCO and SEVENTEEN have a joint ambition to empower youth, and the “Going Together” initiative has already made a significant impact, reaching over 21,000 people directly. It builds into UNESCO’s efforts to offer tangible solutions to fighting inequality, contributing to sustainable development, and building peace.
Khaled El-Enany, UNESCO Director-General
It is a great honor to return to UNESCO Headquarters for the third time on behalf of SEVENTEEN and celebrate the remarkable achievements of the Global Youth Grant Scheme, especially alongside such outstanding young leaders. As a group that has grown together for more than a decade and remains committed to moving forward as one team, we fully recognize that the youth-led projects supported by this Scheme have thrived on trust, teamwork, and a shared dream. Having witnessed this journey since its launch, we have come to believe wholeheartedly that young people already have the power to create change, and SEVENTEEN will continue to be a voice that believes in their dreams and supports them in creating an even greater impact in their communities.
JOSHUA, Member of the K-pop group SEVENTEEN
The event featured testimonies from young leaders, interactive discussions, and a showcase of impactful initiatives spanning mental health, arts, social inclusion and cultural heritage.
The event also marked the second anniversary of SEVENTEEN’s appointment as UNESCO’s first Goodwill Ambassador for Youth in June 2024. Since then, the partnership has supported and resourced the Global Youth Grant Scheme, Going Together, providing grants to 100 youth-led projects across 64 countries, enabling them to reach over 21,000 direct beneficiaries and engaging more than 1.2 million people online. These initiatives have delivered more than 700 community-based activities addressing key global priorities through creative, locally driven approaches.
Scale-up: Spotlight on 10 outstanding projects
The new scale-up phase which lasts until December 2026, will offer funding and mentorship to 10 projects, chosen from amongst the 100 projects in the original cohort for their strong potential. These projects span from youth empowerment, mental health, literacy, to connecting with nature and cultural expression, demonstrating the breadth and innovation of youth-led action worldwide.
During the event, youth grantees shared personal testimonies, explaining how they connected to the issues their projects aimed to tackle, while engaging with JOSHUA on the powerful and positive impact of art and creativity.
Source: UNESCO