East Jerusalem, State of Palestine 19 December 2019 – Co-hosted globally by four Generation Unlimited partners – UNICEF, UNDP, Plan International and the World Organization of the Scout Movement, with support from Irish Aid – the Generation Unlimited Youth Challenge 2019/20 will take place in over 41 countries worldwide, including the State of Palestine. The challenge calls on young innovators across the State of Palestine to design solutions to improve education, employment and civic engagement. 

The Challenge aims to inspire young people with brilliant ideas, but without the resources to bring them to life. This includes young refugees, those who face daily discrimination due to their ethnicity, religion, nationality, their gender or their disability and those who are disadvantaged by poverty. 

The challenge in the State of Palestine is being implemented by UNFPA, UNDP and UNICEF, with support from the Ministry of Entrepreneurship & Empowerment, the Palestinian Scouts Association, Bank of Palestine, Flow, Save Youth Future Society, Gaza Sky Geeks, Al-Quds University and the Palestinian Techno Park.

In the State of Palestine, a call for applications is being launched today until 20 January 2020, with selected teams invited to participate in design workshops in February. Following these workshops, the five most promising ideas will be selected and will be awarded US$1,000 each, as well as mentors to support the implementation of their projects.

By June 2020, the most promising two solutions in each country will be judged globally. These projects will receive additional funding of up to US$20,000, as well as a tailor-made global incubation program from Generation Unlimited partners, to support them on a large scale.

The most promising ideas will contribute to the success of Generation Unlimited, an ambitious multi-sector public-private global partnership meant to meet the urgent needs for expanded education, training and employment opportunities for young people on an unprecedented scale.

For more information about the GenU Youth Challenge in Palestine Click Here.

Generation Unlimited: is a global partnership working to prepare young people to become productive and engaged citizens. It connects secondary-age education and training to employment and entrepreneurship, empowering every young person to thrive in the world of work. 

UNICEF: works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.  UNICEF in the State of Palestine works to uphold the rights of children to access services and protection, from early childhood through to adolescence. Our objective is to ensure that every child in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, irrespective of background or circumstance, has an equal chance to fulfil their potential.

UNDP: works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience in order to sustain development results. UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. On the ground in nearly 170 countries and territories, we offer a global perspective and local insight to help empower lives and build resilient nations.  

UNFPA: envisions a world where every young person can make their choices and enjoy their rights. All adolescents and youth must have opportunities to learn and practice decision-making skills in their families, communities and beyond. UNFPA has long viewed young people as a potent source of energy, innovation and know-how to tackle the daunting problems that humanity faces. UNFPA empowers adolescents and youth to fulfil their potential and realize their dreams.

Plan International: Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organization that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. We believe in the power and potential of every child. We have been building powerful partnerships for children for over 80 years and are now active in more than 75 countries. 

World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM): Scouting is the world’s leading educational youth movement, engaging millions of young people to be active citizens and create positive change in their communities. The World Scout Movement is made up of more than 50 million Scouts connected together through a global membership of 170 National Scout Organizations. 

For more information, please contact: 

Mohammed Nasr
UNFPA – State of Palestine
Email: nasr@unfpa.org
Mobile: +970 599229087

Mira Nasser  
UNICEF- State of Palestine  
Email: minasser@unicef.org  
Mobile: +970 598568428 

Dania Darwish
UNDP’s Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People
Email: dania.darwish@undp.org
Mobile: +972 548173936