For Youth, By Youth

History

In 2020, the Talloires Network of Engaged Universities in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation assembled a diverse cohort of Next Generation Leaders comprised of 36 students located in 18 countries including: Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ghana, India, Ireland, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Mexico, Pakistan, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, Sudan, Uganda, and the United States. The cohort of 36 Next Generation Leaders worked together for two years building a powerful community space to share strategies and ideas, form lasting collegial ties, and build momentum for the field of civic engagement. To learn more about the cohort, visit our Next Generation Leaders Directory.

Alumni of the Next Generation Leaders program continued working together to expand their ideas, relationships, and impact. They organized and held local community-campus events, engaging with their local communities to identify the issues of concern to young people. To reinforce working ties with university heads, alumni also presented plaques in recognition of their universities' institutional support of the Next Generation Leaders program. Throughout 2023 and 2024, alumni met regularly for virtual collaborations and workshops to operationalize their vision for ongoing collaboration. Many alumni had an opportunity to meet in Boston. In September 2024, they received the financial resources necessary to launch their global movement entitled “For Youth, By Youth.”

Mission

For Youth, By Youth is a youth-led global movement with a particular focus in Africa. It provides health and wellness support, skills training, and financial resources for young leaders who are making change in their communities. This multi-year initiative will support the transformative work of nearly 1,000 young people around the world. The movement empowers marginalized youth—especially those facing barriers due to gender, disability, ethnicity, or displacement—to drive transformative change that is locally grounded and globally relevant.

About the Experience

Selected participants from will embark on a three-year journey!

Year 1: Individual Transformation

In Year 1, participants:

• Are supported with digital access, inclusivity services, and wellness resources to foster emotional, mental, and physical well-being
• Receive mentorship and coaching for leadership development, identity growth, and cross-cultural understanding
• Gain skills in participatory action research, ethical Artificial Intelligence, and storytelling

Year 2: Community Transformation

In Year 2, participants:

• Receive $2,500 to implement a participatory action research project with their local community
• Expand their impact by working closely with three community/university collaborators
• Advance their knowledge of ethical Artificial Intelligence

Year 3: Institutional Transformation

In Year 3, participants:

• Share learnings at national and global events organized by the Talloires Network and its partners
• Advocate for institutional change by presenting their policy recommendations to leaders in higher education, the government, and private sector
• Receive support, coaching, and mentorship to transition to work, advanced study, and/or entrepreneurship

For Youth, By Youth Workshop and Conference of Next Generation Leaders

In partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, the Talloires Network held the For Youth, By Youth Workshop and Conference of Next Generation Leaders in the Boston region. Following more than two years of online collaboration, university students from around the world finally met in person. The workshop and conference was held at the Essex Woods Meeting & Retreat Center in Essex, Massachusetts (20 – 25 August 2023).

Read more about the 5-day long gathering here.