Empowering next-gen innovation
We transform young people’s sustainability aspirations into real-world impact, develop transferable skills and enable connection to a global community.
Our
Impactin 2024
3 MILLIONYoung People
In 122 countries reached through our digital campaigns – empowering them to take action on the sustainability issues that matter to them most.
5,186Teams
Of young founders benefiting from our global free-to-access program of support for impact projects.
2,851Solutions
Developed through our Global Innovation Challenge – which finds and funds the most promising youth-led solutions.
Social Shifters
Global Innovation
Challenge
Our award-winning Global Innovation Challenge is proven way of bringing leading companies together with young innovators aged 18-30 years to find, fund and scale new solutions to defined challenges linked to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
“Social Shifters was a transformative journey for us – providing a unique opportunity to refine our solution and to grow as individuals through expert mentorship, comprehensive training resources, and a supportive global community.”
Accelerating youth-led sustainability projects.
Measurable Impact
for young leaders
Through structured learning, community support, and expert guidance, transferable skills develop whilst youth-led solutions accelerate.
97%
Were able to progress their project faster.
91%
Developed new skills and techniques
92%
Felt motivated and inspired to move forward.
“The guidance from the mentors helped us to craft a complete pitch that balances emotion, technical depth, and the viability of the project. This balance is something I hadn’t yet fully mastered, and was a game-changer in how I communicate our mission.”
Entrepreneurs with the ideas to change our world.
In every corner of the world a new generation of entrepreneurs are taking bold action on the issues that matter most.
“GROWING UP IN A COMMUNITY WITH NO ACCESS TO ELECTRICITY WAS A CHALLENGING EXPERIENCE FOR ME. THESE EXPERIENCES, COMBINED WITH MY PASSION FOR BUILDING TECH PROJECTS, LED ME TO BECOME A SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR. THE KEY TRIGGER FOR ME WAS MY DESIRE TO ENSURE THAT NO OTHER CHILD HAD TO GO THROUGH WHAT I DID.”
Stanley Anignogu | 23 | Nigeria
LightEd is a social enterprise that repurposes electronic and plastic waste to build sustainable energy solutions - bringing power and light into refugee communities.
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“I WANT BIOMEC TO BECOME THE WORLD’S REFERENCE POINT FOR PRACTICAL,HIGH QUALITY AND ECOLOGICAL PROSTHETICS, ENABLING PEOPLE TO EXPERIENCELIFE WITHOUT LIMITATIONS.”
Marta Vânia Uetela , 27, Mozambique
Marta is a Co Founder of social enterprise ‘BIOMEC’ that collects abandoned fishing nets and plastic waste from the ocean and transforms these harmful plastics into affordable 3-D printed prosthetic limbs for people with disabilities.
“I DECIDED TO START CONEDUCACIÓN BECAUSE EDUCATION CHANGED MY LIFE. AS A FIRST-GENERATION STUDENT BORN IN A LOW-INCOME NEIGHBOURHOOD IN MEDELLÍN, IT WAS EDUCATION THAT OPENED THE DOORS TO A FUTURE I WOULD OTHERWISE HAVE NOT DREAMT OF.”
Yuliana Palacio, 24, Colombia
The ConEducación Foundation is a non-profit entity that aims to close gaps in academic performance and promote access to high-quality education for less advantaged students in Colombia. Anchored in the values of social responsibility , equity , community , support and empathy.
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“I BELIEVE BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE THAT ENABLES PEOPLE TO GET ACCESS TO ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH EITHER JOBS OR BUSINESSES IS THE SUREST WAY OF IGNITING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN COMMUNITIES LIKE MINE.”
Charles Oyamo | 29 | Kenya
ReThread Africa is a project developed in Kenya that enables smallholder farmers to turn their agricultural waste into a new revenue stream that could subsidise smallholder agriculture and be the missing link to elevate farmers from the poverty bracket.
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“MY WORK IS IMPORTANT TO ME BECAUSE I KNOW IT CAN IMPROVE PEOPLE’S LIVES. IF I CAN INSPIRE CHILDREN AND ADULTS TO DISCOVER THE WONDERS OF NATURE, TO GO OUT MORE, TO LEARN TO COOK AND EAT HEALTHY OR TO DISCOVER A HOBBY THAT WILL GIVE THEM COMFORT ON A STRESSFUL DAY – THEN I WILL TRY TO DO THAT. IF I CAN GET JUST ONE CHILD TO MAKE A HAPPY MEMORY, IT’S ALL WORTH THE EFFORT.”
Elena Höge, 30, Germany
Yaldi Games enrich their players' lives by offering engaging gameplay that enhances their skills and wellbeing. Their debut title is called Out and About, a foraging life simulator that connects you to nature with real plants and recipes!
7 IN 10 BABIES DIE ARE PREMATURE BABIES DUE TO THE INSUFFICIENT FACILITIES ON GROUND [...] MOST MOTHERS THEN OPT FOR KANGAROO SKIN TO SKIN CARE BUT MOST OF THE MOTHERS USE UNSTERILE AND LIGHT CLOTHING TO DO THIS EVEN PREDISPOSING THESE BABIES TO MORE INFECTIONS LEADING TO DEATH. IT IS WITH THIS BACKGROUND THAT I AND MY COLLEAGUES DECIDED TO COME UP WITH A SIMPLER AND MORE AFFORDABLE SOLUTION.
Comfort Peace Ayikoru | 26 | Uganda
KangaCare is a low-cost, locally made, alternative to neonatal incubators used to support the life of premature babies. A knitted double-layered carrier that embraces the Kangaroo-inspired ‘skin-to-skin’ mother care technique and is fitted with vital reading sensors, and microprocessors for infant vital sign monitoring.
Transformative employee
volunteering experiences
In 2024, we enabled 6990 hours of volunteer activity and delivered engagement opportunities for over 2,300 corporate employees. From reviewing pitches on a lunch break to skills-based mentoring, employees applied their expertise and felt connected to real sustainable impact.
96%Satisfaction rating across all volunteering.
98%Increased knowledge of sustainability.
94%Improved pride in working for their company.
Our Incredible
Partners
Social Shifters couldn’t exist without the support of our global partnership network. Massive thanks goes out to all of the organizations that help us support young change-makers.
