UN-HABITAT's Urban Youth Fund awards 59 small grants to urban youth-led projects in 43 countries
Now in its third year, the Urban Youth Fund established by UN-HABITAT with funding from the Government of Norway has supported several thousand young people across the world to improve their lives and their urban communities. UN-HABITAT recognizes the rapidly growing youth population in cities of the developing world as potential partners in sustainable urban development.
Growing needs of urban youth
In 2011, a record number of youth from across the globe applied to the Urban Youth Fund – nearly 6000 applications globally – reflecting the growing needs of urban youth but also the number of youth already engaged in development projects in their own communities. Of note in this year's call for applications was the surge in interest from Latin America, with a nearly 25% increase in applicants, and in the special region of Zanzibar within the United Republic of Tanzania. Zanzibar is now supported by a dedicated "window" within the Urban Youth Fund, a concept that UN-HABITAT hopes to replicate for other regions in future years.
Global Youth Online Help Desk
Beyond the provision of individual grants, the Urban Youth Fund now offers an online space, the Global Youth Help Desk, where young people can learn from each other, share best practices, and access cutting-edge urban youth research material. The Global Youth Help Desk, officially launched at UN-HABITAT's 23rd Governing Council meeting in April 2011, is the virtual arm of the Urban Youth Fund, supporting inter-regional cooperation between youth-led organizations and easier replication of effective youth-run development projects.
Contact details
Contact: Press & Media Relations Unit, UN-HABITAT, Nairobi;
Tel: (254 2) 7623153, 7625518,
Fax: (254 2) 7624060
E-mail: habitat.press@unhabitat.org
Website: www.unhabitat.org