100 Young People Begin World Youth for Action Certification Program
September 4, 2026
Last month, 100 youth advocates from around the world embarked on the World Youth for Action Certification Program, building the skills and strategies they’ll need to turn their perspectives into action. The six-week program will equip young people with practical tools to advocate for the issues that matter to them and their communities.
More than 300 young people ages 16 to 30 from 65 countries applied for the inaugural cohort, sharing their leadership experiences and their visions for the next 30 years. The World Youth for Action team at JA Worldwide selected100 participants from the pool of applicants for the certification program.
Over six weeks, youth advocates will strengthen skills in advocacy and leadership, creative thinking, resilience, and communication. They’ll also develop an advocacy portfolio outlining a strategy for creating change and ensuring young people’s perspectives are heard.
Defining the Change They Want to Make
On August 4, youth advocates joined a masterclass exploring personal branding and how they can use it to communicate who they are, what they stand for, and the change they want to make.
One participant shared, “I believe every young person carries a solution, a story, and a vision that the world needs. That’s why I champion youth empowerment and create spaces where young people can discover their potential, amplify their voices, and lead the change they want to see.”
Another focused on economic opportunity: “I believe that vulnerable youth and emerging professionals deserve to access dignified economic opportunities, build personal resilience, and realize their full potential regardless of their circumstances.”
Others emphasized the importance of support and community, with one youth advocate stating, “I believe that young people deserve someone who believes in them until they believe in themselves.”
These conversations are an early step in a broader World Youth for Action effort to create meaningful opportunities for young people to develop their advocacy skills, connect with one another, and contribute their perspectives. Additional opportunities and sessions will be available to the wider World Youth for Action community as the certification cohort progresses through the program.
From the Certification Program to the Global Stage
Program participants who demonstrate a strong record of impact in their communities may also be selected to attend the World Youth for Action Summit in India this November.
At the Summit, 50 young people will work alongside 50 thought leaders to help shape ideas for the next edition of the Global Development Goals. The gathering will also bring together youth-serving organizations to help ensure perspectives from young people across different backgrounds and communities are represented.
Insights and priorities emerging from the Summit will inform a white paper to be presented at the United Nations in March 2027.
The certification program is one part of World Youth for Action’s broader work to move youth advocacy beyond simply inviting young people into conversations. By helping young people develop the skills, confidence, networks, and opportunities to advocate for change, the initiative is working toward a world in which they participate as meaningful contributors to the decisions shaping their present and future.