The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have officially launched the second edition of the ‘Generation Unlimited’ Youth Challenge in Pakistan, in collaboration with the School of Leadership Foundation.
Taking place in more than 40 countries worldwide, the Youth Challenge calls on young innovators aged 14 to 24 to design creative solutions that improve education, employment, and civic engagement. The initiative aims to empower young people who possess brilliant ideas but lack the resources to turn them into reality—offering them a platform to lead change in their communities.
Celebrating Pakistani Innovation
Pakistan has already demonstrated the strength of its youth on the global stage. In the 2018–2019 edition of the challenge, a Pakistani team of three young women known as The Red Code emerged as one of the five global winners.
Their project focused on improving menstrual hygiene for underprivileged girls and women by providing reusable cloth pads. These products were stitched by home-based workers, creating a sustainable micro-entrepreneurship model that empowered women economically while addressing a critical health issue.
Empowering the Next Generation
“Pakistan’s young people are a major resource for social and economic progress,” said Aida Girma, UNICEF Representative in Pakistan. She emphasized that the Youth Challenge helps discover innovative ideas and supports young changemakers in co-creating solutions for the future—aligning with the core mission of Generation Unlimited.
In the 2019/2020 cycle, more than 300 teams from across Pakistan applied for the challenge. Out of these, 11 teams were shortlisted and invited to participate in design workshops held in Islamabad. Under this year’s theme, “Opening Doors: Knowledge and Skills for Empowered Youth,” five promising teams were each awarded USD 1,000 in seed funding, along with mentorship support to implement their projects.
The most outstanding solutions will advance to the global stage in June 2020, where winning teams can receive up to USD 20,000 in additional funding and participate in a tailored incubation programme led by Generation Unlimited partners.
Investing in Pakistan’s Youth Potential
“Pakistan is a young country, with 68 percent of its population under the age of 30,” said Ignacio Artaza, Resident Representative a.i. UNDP Pakistan. He highlighted that while young people face challenges in accessing meaningful opportunities, partnerships like the Youth Challenge are designed to equip them with technical skills, knowledge, and pathways to succeed in a competitive job market.
About Generation Unlimited
Generation Unlimited is a global, multi-sector partnership committed to preparing young people for productive employment and active citizenship. By connecting secondary education and training to entrepreneurship and career opportunities, the initiative empowers youth to thrive in the evolving world of work.
Through initiatives like the Youth Challenge, Pakistan’s young innovators are not only finding their voice—but also shaping solutions that will define the country’s future.
