State of Youth
Young people don’t wait for change. They create it.
Who understands the challenges facing young people better than young people themselves?
Across the world, children and young adults are finding solutions to the issues that matter most in their communities. They’re improving education, protecting the environment, promoting equality and standing up for children’s rights.
State of Youth gives them the opportunity to turn those ideas into action.
Created by KidsRights, State of Youth is a global movement where young people connect, learn from one another and lead projects that create lasting impact.
Because the leaders of today don’t need permission. They need the opportunity to act.
800+ Youth-led Chapters around the world
70+ Countries represented
7,000+ Active young changemakers
Built by young people. Powered by action.
State of Youth is more than a programme. It’s a global community of young changemakers who believe a better world starts with action.
Founded by KidsRights in 2019 at the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates in Mexico, State of Youth brings together young people aged 12 to 29 from more than 70 countries. Together, they identify the challenges affecting their communities and develop practical solutions that create real change.
KidsRights doesn’t decide what matters most. Young people do.
We provide the network, support and opportunities that help their ideas grow.
How State of Youth works
Every community is different. That's why every State of Youth Chapter is led by local young people who understand the challenges around them and know where change is needed most. Each Chapter focuses on three areas:
Take Action
Young people design and deliver projects that improve life in their own communities.
Inspire Change
They encourage others to get involved, raising awareness of children's rights and the issues affecting young people today.
Influence Decision-Makers
Young changemakers engage with local leaders, organisations and governments to make sure young voices help shape decisions. Together, these three actions turn ideas into measurable impact.
Our Projects
Smart Street School: Where There’s No School, They Bring One
Smart Street School is a portable, solar-powered classroom launched in Pakistan in 2023 by the Crossadder Foundation, bringing free education directly to underserved communities. Built inside a refurbished shipping container, the school is designed to reach children who lack access to conventional schools due to poverty, marginalisation or distance. Its pilot in an informal settlement in Islamabad now serves 400+ children daily. The initiative aims to scale this mobile education model to other underserved areas.
Teresa: a youth-led short film about gender equality
Teresa is a youth-produced short film exploring gender inequality and the everyday biases affecting girls and women, showing how discrimination can be embedded in traditions, social expectations and behaviours often considered “normal.” Created by all 49 members of State of Youth Manila, the film reached 1,700+ children through school screenings, film festivals and online promotion, and was selected for festivals in Brazil, Australia and India. It also won Best Director, Best Actress and Best International Short Film at the Campinas Film Festival in Brazil.
Climate education and digital literacy workshops in Egypt
Generation Deserves is a youth-led initiative in Egypt that equips children aged 12–17 in underserved communities with climate education, digital skills and knowledge of sustainable technologies. Through workshops and a three-month university mentorship programme, young people learn to identify local environmental challenges and develop practical solutions. The initiative has reached 3,000+ children and aims to expand its university volunteer network and support 1,200 children in 2026. It was also selected for funding through the International Children’s Peace Prize Project Theme Fund 2026 on peace and education.