A South-North partnership unleashing youth potential

YMCA Finland’s Youth, Peace and Livelihoods programme exemplifies international collaboration in advancing young people’s right to work, peace, and dignity. Partnering with YMCAs in The Gambia, Kenya, Ethiopia, Palestine, and Lebanon, the initiative equips vulnerable young people with vocational, life, and entrepreneurial skills tailored to each local context. Together, these YMCAs deliver co-designed interventions—ranging from technical training to psychosocial support—that empower young people to secure meaningful employment, start their own businesses, and contribute to creating peaceful and resilient communities. This South-North partnership reflects a shared commitment to unleashing youth potential and building sustainable futures through education, inclusion, and economic opportunity.