Igniting Youth Futures (IYFutures)

Building a future-ready workforce

20%

... of young people aged 15–29 are not in employment, education, or training, and most of them women and girls. The impact is both economic and personal, contributing to slower growth and rising mental health challenges.

Project overview

World YMCA is launching Igniting Youth Futures (IYFutures), a bold new global initiative to connect underserved young people with ‘Meaningful Work’ (YMCA Vision 2030, Pillar 2) —employment that is fair, fulfilling, and contributes to the wellbeing of both individuals and their communities. Backed by leading partners and built on decades of experience in youth empowerment, the programme will address the root causes of youth unemployment through coordinated action at local, national, and global levels.

World YMCA recognizes the urgency of continuing to innovate and adapt its programmes to support young people in moving beyond merely acquiring skills and directly into meaningful work. It seeks to meet young people wherever they are on their journey from ‘Learning’ to ‘Earning’.

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A pressing need

World YMCA recognizes the urgent need to help young people move beyond skills training into meaningful work. With 20% of young people aged 15–29 not in employment, education, or training—most of them women and girls—the impact is both economic and personal, contributing to slower growth and rising mental health challenges (ILO, 2023; Yang et al., 2024). IYFutures is World YMCA’s global response: a commitment to transform the youth employment ecosystem by combining proven approaches with new, carefully tested solutions, scaling initiatives that help young people engage fully and productively in the workforce.

Project intervention areas

Engagement & awareness

Increasing the number of hard-to-reach, historically underserved young people entering the 'L2E' learning-to-earning pathway with the mindsets and awareness needed to pursue Meaningful Work.

Pathway planning & preparation

Equipping young people with essential job skills and career planning to start or redirect their work journey with confidence.

Job readiness & placement

Supporting young people in successfully completing their training and transitioning from skills-building to employment or entrepreneurship.

Sustainable finance

Mobilizing impact finance to drive sustainable outcomes, expand inclusion, and unlock collaborative investment in youth employment.

Our approach

A structured pathway for underserved youth to access sustained employment

Young people (historically underserved)

Job awareness & engagement

Job preparation: career planning & base skills

Job readiness: skilling, apprenticeships, mentoring

Job placement & sustained Meaningful Work

Young people in Meaningful Work (formal/informal for self-sufficiency, dignity & purpose)

Our goals

25,000 jobs by 2027

in India, South Africa & Spain (focus: green jobs)

100,000 jobs by 2030

(scaling to more countries and other labour market segments)

Carlos Sanvee, World YMCA Secretary-General

“We all know the scale of the Meaningful Work challenge, and we all know that the only lasting solutions are shared solutions. Igniting Youth Futures reflects this ethos – to work in unison across the YMCA Movement and lockstep with multi-sector partners, building resilient, empowered young people, who are ready to take on global challenges, advance planetary sustainability, and promote inclusivity and environmental justice in their families and communities.”

Our project countries: India, South Africa, Spain

India YMCA

Igniting Youth Futures is launching in India to help young people aged 18–30 build confidence, develop future-ready skills, and move toward Meaningful Work through community support, personalised guidance, digital learning, and coaching. Starting in Delhi and expanding to Kerala, the programme aims to engage 10,000 youth in community activities, guide 7,000 through skills and career development, and support 2,100 into jobs, further education, or entrepreneurship.

Spain YMCA

Igniting Youth Futures is launching in Spain to help young people clarify their vocational direction, build future-ready skills, and move toward Meaningful Work, training, or entrepreneurship. Through YMCA centres in cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Málaga, and Zaragoza, the programme will offer in-person orientation and Future of Work sessions, followed by personalised coaching and skills development using YMCA’s training resources and the Accenture Learning to Earning platform. In its first year, it aims to engage 2,000 young people and support 560 to take concrete steps into employment or further learning.

South Africa YMCA

Igniting Youth Futures is launching in South Africa to help young people—especially those in townships, informal settlements, and peri-urban areas—build confidence, gain future-ready skills, and move into work, entrepreneurship, or further learning. Through YMCA hubs in Athlone, Soweto, Nelson Mandela Bay, and Ga-Rankuwa, the programme blends community support, digital learning, mentorship, and practical career and entrepreneurship labs. In its first phase, it aims to connect 2,000 youth to supportive networks, strengthen the skills and career readiness of 1,700 young people, and help 560 transition into real economic opportunities.

Igniting Youth Futures

Igniting Youth Futures is taking shape across diverse contexts where young people are eager for opportunity and prepared to lead change. In each project country, the YMCA is partnering with communities to equip youth with confidence, future-ready skills, and personalised pathways into Meaningful Work, entrepreneurship, or further learning.

From urban centres to townships, rural communities, and rapidly changing labour markets, the programme adapts to local realities while staying rooted in one mission: helping young people transition successfully into adulthood and economic independence.

About the partners

The Accenture Foundation

The Accenture Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Accenture. The Accenture Foundation was established to support the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals, with a particular focus on advancing quality education, promoting decent work and economic growth, and addressing climate change-either directly or through strategic partnerships.

The Macquarie Group Foundation

The Macquarie Group Foundation leads the social impact efforts of Macquarie Group, focusing on breaking down systemic barriers to employment and creating pathways to opportunity. By leveraging both financial and non-financial resources, the Foundation works in partnership with employees, businesses, and communities to achieve meaningful and lasting social change.

Join IYFutures

Igniting Youth Futures is designed not only to deliver impact, but to inspire action. The programme seeks to reach and motivate young people in India, South Africa, and Spain to see themselves in future-focused careers and self-enroll in opportunities that match their aspirations. At the same time, it invites interest from partners eager to support scalable, proven solutions to youth unemployment, and engages workforce development organizations who see the value in partnering to expand access to meaningful work.

For inquiries related to project implementation or partnership opportunities within the existing IYFutures programme, please contact Magdalena Fulton, Global Lead, Igniting Youth Futures.

Get in touch

For organizations or individuals interested in funding partnerships or new collaborations please contact Kathleen Elsig, Director of Partnerships.