United for Change: Inside the U4SDGs Project at Kusafiri World Centre
From October 2024 to August 2025, a wave of youth-led action is sweeping across continents powered by passion, purpose, and the pursuit of sustainable development. At the heart of this movement is the United for Sustainable Development Goals (U4SDGs) project, an initiative launched by Kusafiri World Centre, one of the five global centres under the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS).
U4SDGs is more than just a program. It’s a platform where young leaders from 23 countries come together to learn, connect, and lead community projects that bring the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to life.
A Global Kickoff for Local Impact
The project officially began in October 2024 with an energizing orientation and capacity-building phase. Participants were equipped with the tools, knowledge, and support they need to develop impactful SDG-aligned initiatives in their home countries. An open call for applications drew overwhelming interest, leading to an extended deadline to ensure greater inclusivity. In the end, 37 passionate changemakers were selected to take part in the journey. Their ideas span across education, climate action, gender equality, health, and more.
A Team of Mentors, A Network of Support.
To support the young leaders, five experienced facilitators from Canada, Taiwan, Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya joined the project. These mentors have been instrumental in guiding participants through project planning, refining strategies, and ensuring meaningful engagement.
Each participant has been matched with a personal mentor to walk with them through the highs and challenges of the implementation process. Regular evaluations and feedback loops ensure that learning is continuous and flexible.
Learning in Action: Training & Development
The learning journey has been structured into key milestones:
Inception Meeting – February 2, 2025: Participants were introduced to the project’s vision, the SDGs, and strategies for effective implementation.
Second Training – March 2, 2025: A focus on goal-setting, community engagement, and stakeholder collaboration helped sharpen their action plans.
In addition to knowledge, participants received seed funding and logistical support—including travel documents and visa assistance for in-person climax event at Kusafiri.
What’s Next?
As participants begin rolling out their SDG projects in their communities, the excitement is building. From awareness campaigns and workshops to environmental actions and youth advocacy, the real-world impact of U4SDGs is just beginning to unfold.
Future editions of the U4SDGs newsletter will spotlight success stories, project outcomes, and powerful youth voices who are shaping a more just and sustainable world.
At its core, U4SDGs is about turning passion into purpose, and purpose into action. It’s about young people boldly claiming their role in shaping a future that leaves no one behind.
Stay tuned, because the best is yet to come.
