Youth Leadership and Financing for a Sustainable Future
A virtual side event at the ECOSOC Youth Forum 2025 – Happening Tomorrow!
Dear changemakers,
As part of the 2025 UN ECOSOC Youth Forum, we invite you to a timely and action-driven virtual side event hosted by NGYouthSDGs, in collaboration with Mind the Gap Nigeria and the United Nations Nigeria Youth Inter-Agency Group.
With the recent adoption of the UN Pact for the Future, the urgency to place young people at the centre of sustainable development has never been more critical. Yet, access to financing remains one of the biggest barriers for youth-led organisations, social enterprises, and changemakers, especially across Nigeria and the Global South.
This side event will explore how to unlock financial resources to support youth-led innovation and leadership, driving progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The sessions seek to unpack:
Innovative financing models for youth leadership (think: blended finance, impact investing & community funding)
Key policy shifts to remove barriers to youth access to capital
Practical stories and strategies from youth leaders doing the work
Speakers You Don’t Want to Miss:
We are honoured to have Mr Ronald Kayanja, the Country Director of the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), deliver the opening keynote address, whose insights will provide significant context to the theme of youth engagement and global collaboration. Additionally, Ms Oyinyechi Agbiti-Douglas, Project Director of the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF), will share a keynote address on financing opportunities that empower youth initiatives.
You should look forward to our Panel Discussion, which Lasisi Godwin, NGYouthSDGs Youth Champion, will moderate with the following panellists on our lineup:
Rita Idehai- Founder of Ecobarter, whose initiative leverages circular economy principles to enhance resource efficiency.
Karina Karunwi- Head of Programs, Impact Hub Lagos, where she leads programs focused on social entrepreneurship and impact-driven innovation.
Hon. Olamide Fagbuji, Special Adviser to the President on Climate Tech & Innovation, with a mandate to promote scalable climate solutions and integrate technology in climate policy.
Our Executive Director, Joshua Alade, will lead the Call to Action and Closing remark to emphasise actionable strategies to promote sustainable practices and social inclusion.
Event Details
Theme: Youth Leadership and Financing for a Sustainable Future
Date: April 17, 2025
Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM (GMT+1)
Location: Virtual (Zoom)
🔗 Click here to register: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/1RUzLyaRQcOhQ_tRu1MD7A
This side event contributes directly to:
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Meet our Host, Precious Akintunde, a dedicated and commited NGYouthSDGs YAL Associate passionate about sustainability.
Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, share, and drive the future of youth leadership in sustainable development.
Register Now and be part of the conversation!
If you’re passionate about equipping and empowering youth to lead change, or you know an organisation that is, we’d love to collaborate.
Here’s how you can help:
💰 For donations:
Account Number: 1214508474
Account Name: Network of Youth for Sustainable Initiative
Bank: Zenith Bank
📧 Want to meet with us? Send an email to programs@nigerianyouthsdgs.org
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