Applications Invited for the Engine Room for the Future 2025

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About the Organization

For over 25 years, the UN Foundation has built novel innovations and partnerships to support the United Nations and help solve global problems at scale. As an independent charitable organization, the Foundation was created to work closely with the United Nations to address humanity’s greatest challenges and drive global progress.

We mobilize ideas, people, and resources to help the UN drive global progress through effective collective action.

We convene, champion, communicate, collaborate, and channel. These core capabilities help us work toward our mission.

About the Fellowship

The Engine Room for the Future is all about turning young people’s big ideas into real, lasting change. In a world where over half the population is under 30, young people hold immense power to shape the future – but their voices are often missing in global decision-making. The Engine Room was created to fix that. It’s a bold, intergenerational platform where young leaders work alongside policymakers to tackle the world’s toughest challenges – like climate change, inequality, and sustainable development.

As part of Road to 2100, the Engine Room is more than just a place to talk; it’s a space to act. Through initiatives like workshops, Action Groups, and high-level virtual Pitstops, it brings young voices directly to the table. By focusing on the “best buys for the future” – investments that deliver the biggest impact by investing in young people – it ensures that today’s decisions lead to a better tomorrow.

Vision: The Future We’re Building

We envision a world where young people and young countries are front and center, shaping decisions that matter for everyone. The Engine Room is about creating a future that reflects the dreams, ideas, and energy of young generations. It’s a movement to reimagine how the world plans for 2100 – a future where every voice counts, every action matters, and every generation thrives.

Objectives: What We’re Here to Do

To make this vision a reality, the Engine Room focuses on five core goals:

• Support Young Changemakers: Equip young people with tools, resources, and opportunities to influence global policies and contribute to the 2100 Roadmap.
• Foster Intergenerational Collaboration: Bring young leaders and decision-makers together to co-create solutions that work for everyone, breaking down barriers between generations.
• Mobilize Action: Inspire young people to take collective action on issues like climate change, equity, and innovation, driving progress toward the SDGs and beyond.
• Spark Innovation: Encourage bold, creative thinking to solve 21st-century challenges, from digital inclusion to environmental resilience.
• Amplify Youth Voices: Elevate the ideas and priorities of young people on the global stage, making sure their perspectives shape key decisions.

The Engine Room Action Groups are vibrant, youth-led teams that tackle the biggest challenges of our time through the lens of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Each group focuses on one of the five core pillars: People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnerships. They’re brainstorming ideas and rolling up their sleeves, designing bold projects, and working directly with global leaders to create real, lasting impact.

These groups are all about action, collaboration, and finding innovative solutions that reflect the aspirations of young leaders today. Here’s what each group stands for:

• People Action Group: Focused on empowering individuals and communities by advancing social equity, gender equality, and access to essential services like education and healthcare. They put people at the heart of global progress.
• Planet Action Group: Fighting for climate action and environmental protection, this group advocates for sustainable practices and bold conservation efforts. They shine a light on the connections between biodiversity, climate, and our shared future.
• Prosperity Action Group: Committed to inclusive economic growth, this group drives innovation, technology, and equitable systems that uplift communities and reduce disparities in wealth and resources.
• Peace Action Group: Dedicated to fostering justice, inclusion, and governance reforms, this group envisions a world of peaceful societies that uphold human rights and intergenerational equity.

Partnerships Action Group: Highlighting the power of global collaboration, this group champions global cooperation, innovative financing, and strategic alliances to create systemic change that truly matters.

What does a Changemaker do:

As a Changemaker, you’ll access a platform to connect the local to the global, making sure your community’s voice is heard in global conversations while helping shape the policies that will define our future. In this role, you’ll:

• Engage and Influence Global decisions: Join curated opportunities to engage with key UN processes, UN Foundation Fellows, and global policy discussions, ensuring young voices are front and center.
• Be a bridge for local and global change: Amplify the voices of your community by connecting local insights, projects, and moments to global platforms.
• Lead impactful projects: Organize events, lead advocacy efforts, and ensure youth perspectives shape global and local strategies within your Action Group’s focus area (People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, or Partnerships).
• Build alliances: Forge strategic networks with peers, policymakers, and organizations to expand your projects’ impact and outreach.

What’s Expected of You:

• Time Commitment: 3-8 hours monthly from February to December 2025.
• Meetings: Attend Action Group meetings (and additional ones, as needed).
• Collaboration: Work proactively with your team to enhance outputs and impact.
• Reliability: Follow through on commitments and contribute meaningfully.
• Passion: Show dedication to the project’s mission and a drive for positive change.

Why You Should Apply

• Shape Global Strategy: Contribute to the 2100 Roadmap through consultations and dialogues.
• Learn from and Influence Experts: Work closely with UN Foundation Fellows and global leaders, gaining mentorship and insights.
• Be Recognized: Get featured in the Engine Room Spotlight Series and celebrated at the Annual Changemaker & Champion Awards.
• Engage in UN Processes: Participate in curated opportunities to influence key global discussions.
• Personalized Mentorship: Connect with a United Nations Foundation alumnus for a mentorship session tailored to your growth.
• Join a Global Network: Be part of an inclusive community creating solutions for a sustainable 2100.
• All changemakers receive compensation for their active engagement. 

Eligibility

We’re looking for young changemakers who meet these criteria:

• Age: 18–30 years old.
• Language: Proficient in English.
• Tech Access: A laptop and reliable internet connection.
• Commitment: Ability to dedicate time for meetings, projects, and campaigns.
• Geography: Individuals from the Global South are encouraged to apply. 

Selection Criteria:

• Proven interest and potential to inspire and mobilize others.
• Ability to work effectively in diverse teams and multicultural environments.
• Strong communication skills to engage with various stakeholders.
• A passion for addressing global challenges aligned with the SDGs.
• Experience with digital tools and platforms (e.g., social media, content creation).

How to Apply

Submit Your Application by Monday, February 10, 2025: Fill out the application form: https://forms.gle/t4gq7ZePBie74fdQ9

If you have questions or need assistance, email dzakari@unfoundation.org

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Tags Environment and Sustainability Skill Development Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Leadership Others