One Young World Ambassadors are leading projects in every country of the world, creating substantial social impact across all 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Every month our Coordinating Ambassadors select someone from their region who has created significant social impact locally, regionally or even worldwide.
The Month's Projects in Numbers
600000 +
People impacted by this month's Ambassador's initiatives
10
Rainforest Coffee Farms Established
He/Him
Aaditya Rai
Rainbow Disability Nepal (RDN) was established in 2019 as a network for the disabled LGBTIQ+ community and was officially registered as an NGO on 11th November 2022. It is the first organisation in Nepal dedicated to supporting disabled LGBTIQ+ individuals. RDN advocates for the human rights of disabled LGBTI people across Nepal and aims to expand internationally. The organisation focuses on issues within the heterosexual disability community and those living with HIV.
RDN’s primary goal is to empower disabled LGBTIQ+ youth both psychologically and economically, promoting acceptance and inclusion. Since 2021, RDN has led a variety of awareness and advocacy initiatives. The organisation is led by Founder and Executive Director Aaditya Rai, who was recently recognised with the UNDP Emerging Leader Award (November 2024) and APCOM’s Hero Award for Social Justice. Over the past two years, RDN has developed strong partnerships with the Government of Nepal and engaged with various networks. RDN is now seeking further collaborations to enhance its impact and visibility. The writer is also a Youth Ambassador and a 2024 Ambassador Collaboration winner.
She/Her
Alicia Tien
Youth For Energy Southeast Asia (Y4E-SEA) is the region’s only youth-led organisation focused on driving the clean energy transition across Southeast Asia. Its mission is to increase regional and international representation of SEA’s energy efforts, support youth in building impactful clean energy careers, and collaborate with global organisations to amplify innovations and actions. Y4E-SEA addresses key challenges such as policy inconsistencies, infrastructure gaps, and fossil fuel reliance, using the passion and creativity of young leaders to promote renewable energy and implement solutions.
Key initiatives include educational workshops like the IRENA-Italy Climate Action Toolkit (I-ACT), research leadership through "Project Clean Future," and internal capacity-building to strengthen clean energy expertise. The organisation collaborates with global partners such as the ASEAN Youth Organization and Sustainable Energy for All to amplify regional impact and facilitate knowledge exchange.
Y4E-SEA recently placed 2nd in the ISETS Global Competition and is a signatory of the UN Energy Compact, driving progress on SDG7. By 2030, Y4E-SEA aims to engage 3,000 youth, execute 7,000+ projects, and form 120+ partnerships to create sustainable energy solutions for the future.
He/Him
Yacine Halalchi
Founded in 2019, TOP4Youth is dedicated to empowering Algerian youth through 21st-century skills training, educational planning, and career development. The organisation has launched three key programs focused on skill development, career mapping, and education planning, which have transformed the lives of thousands. By addressing the unique challenges faced by young people in Algeria, TOP4Youth promotes personal growth, and professional confidence, and equips youth with the tools needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving world.
TOP4Youth has partnered with major UN agencies, including UNICEF, IOM, and UNDP, to expand its reach and impact. With this collaboration, the organisation is transitioning into a Mediterranean-based entity, bringing together stakeholders from across the region to tackle youth-related challenges and create broader opportunities.
To date, TOP4Youth has directly empowered over 3,500 Algerian youth, aged 14 to 26, across four cities, offering them valuable skills and career guidance. As the organisation continues to grow, it aims to extend its impact and create lasting change for youth across the Mediterranean region.
She/Her
Emeline Lakrout
Emeline's work exemplifies her unwavering commitment to creating meaningful, impact-driven change for disabled individuals. From advocating for inclusive policies to reshaping perceptions of disability in fitness and sports, her efforts have left a lasting legacy.
In 2019, Emeline championed Zariah’s Law, a groundbreaking Texas bill that established state-mandated adaptive sports leagues for children with intellectual disabilities. Her advocacy, including testimony and securing endorsements from NGOs, directly contributed to the bill’s passage in 2021. This law has since opened doors for countless children to experience the joy and benefits of sports participation.
As Disability Marketing Consultant for Degree (Sure/Rexona), Emeline focused on advancing accessibility in fitness spaces. She spearheaded initiatives like an adaptive spin class in Manhattan, a high-profile New York Times ad urging fitness inclusivity, and an accessibility toolkit for gyms, which has since reached over 1.1 billion impressions, driving global conversations about disability access in fitness.
In adaptive sports, Emeline’s competitive climbing achievements—U.S. national champion and world silver medalist (B1 Women’s category)—inspired others while highlighting gaps in resources. To address this, she partnered with the National Ability Center and Utah Office of Tourism to create the first comprehensive guide for blind climbers, equipping gyms and individuals with tools to make climbing accessible for all. Her initiatives reflect a deep focus on systemic change and empowerment for marginalized communities.
He/Him
Nathaniel Diong
Nathaniel Diong is the founder and CEO of Future Minds Network (FMN), an award-winning social enterprise empowering low-SES and regional young Australians to thrive. Since 2018, FMN has equipped 13,000 youth with skills in entrepreneurship, technology, and innovation, enabling them to secure meaningful jobs and become local job creators, driving lasting impact in their communities.
Future Minds offers immersive programmes, innovation challenges, and industry hackathons that provide hands-on learning experiences, preparing participants for careers in tech, climate innovation, and the gig economy. The organisation also fosters confidence and resilience, with 92% of participants reporting a more positive outlook on their future.
Importantly, FMN actively inspires young people to rediscover the joy of learning and pursue their dreams. Post-program, 100% of students believing they can influence their community’s future, 92% forming new meaningful connections, and 84% discovering new education or work opportunities. Over 60% transition into further education, employment, or self-employment. By partnering with schools to embed inclusive career and entrepreneurship learning, they also ensure long-term impact, providing teachers with increased confidence to support students through careers in innovation.
She/Her
Christianna Paul
WePlanet Inc. is a non-profit social enterprise based in Dominica, driven by the motto "Small Actions. Big Change," aiming to promote eco-consciousness through innovative, incentive-based solutions. Central to its mission is the WePlanet App, which rewards users for adopting sustainable habits, such as recycling and composting, through Eco-Challenges and Eco-Points. The app also features Eco-Learn to educate users on climate resilience and sustainability, while Eco-Spots connect users to eco-friendly businesses. This holistic approach to climate action encourages long-term behaviour change and supports the green economy.
Since its official launch on June 3, 2022, the app has gained over 400 active users and 1,000 monthly visitors, with partnerships spanning local MSMEs, regional corporations, and international organisations. Notable achievements include the Technovation Alumnae Changemaker Award and the Commonwealth Secretary-General Innovation for Sustainable Development Award in 2023.
WePlanet’s environmental impact is measurable, with users contributing to a reduction in CO2 emissions and improved ocean cleanliness, equating to an annual value of $388 USD per active user. In 2024, the team expanded to include 11 youth ambassadors, further advancing its climate action initiatives across the Caribbean.
Daniel Jason M. Maches
Banolmi is a social enterprise founded by two young indigenous coffee farmers namely, Daniel and Jamar, to pilot the production of high-quality coffee under rainforests, using coffee as a pioneer species for regenerating denuded mountains in the Philippines. The pilot farm, the Barlig Rainforest Coffee Project and Ikkalahan Heritage Farm has become a model for other partner farms. The name "Banolmi" reflects their pride as Indigenous peoples and serves as a call to action for creating sustainable, community-based economies while restoring rainforests and biodiversity.
The aim is to engage Indigenous youth as stewards of the land, with 50 youths and over 100 adults receiving training in sustainable farming practices. To date, they have established 10 rainforest-friendly coffee farms, working to increase this number, especially in areas affected by deforestation and close to the country’s remaining rainforests. This effort is vital as the Philippines has lost over 90% of its old-growth forests, leading to yearly natural disasters like typhoons and flooding.
Banolmi has reached over 300 consumers, engaged with 10 communities, and been featured in digital articles, radio interviews, and a national TV show, spreading awareness of sustainable coffee production.
She/Her
Vedanshi Vala
BOLT Safety Society, a unique 'tech startup meets non-profit' based in Canada, works to prevent and respond to sexual violence. The organisation has made significant strides in legal reform advocacy in Canada, presented at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, led international humanitarian efforts, and is producing a global documentary. BOLT’s Digital Platform offers a free, survivor-centric resource database accessible via the WIX mobile app or web browser. The Safe Hubs program maps 48 intermediate safe spaces across 16 Canadian cities, partnering with local businesses to connect individuals to professional support services.
BOLT also runs the Safe Buddies program, providing safety at local events, and Project LyghtNyng workshops on consent and allyship. The organisation has impacted over 30,000 people globally, with more than 2 million impressions across various platforms. Key program statistics include 2.6k+ Hub article accesses, 6.6k+ Safe Hubs map accesses, 850+ attendees at Project LyghtNyng workshops, and 11.7k+ at Safe Buddies events. BOLT has received several prestigious awards from L'Oréal Paris, BCBusiness, and Novartis.
Joleen Ngoriakl
The Digital Citizenship Initiative, a pioneering programme in the Pacific Islands, is set to expand in 2025, aiming to train Digital Citizenship champions across additional North Pacific countries. This expansion follows an invitation from OYW Peace Ambassador Jo Ngoriakl to speak on Digital Democracy and Citizenship at the Digital Communication Network Pacific Islands Hub launch in Nadi, Fiji, in December. The event was attended by ICT leaders, academics, regional cybersecurity experts, and civil society representatives. Jo has been a leader in online safety in her home country of Palau for over eight years, educating a wide range of groups, including parents, educators, and police cadets, on safe internet practices.
She continues to consult on cyber safety projects for both international and regional organisations and has been focused on AI Ethics and Governance research, especially in the context of developments like ChatGPT. A 2012 OYW Ambassador, Jo was honoured with the OYW & European Commission Peace Ambassador title in 2018 in Bogota, Colombia, for her ongoing contributions to digital safety and peace-building efforts.
He/Him
Patrick Fynn Bondzi
Standout Care is a social enterprise in Ghana dedicated to bridging health access gaps and democratising preventive healthcare for underserved communities. Over the past nine years, it has provided free and affordable healthcare to marginalised populations, including prisoners, street children, orphans, persons with disabilities, and remote rural communities.
The organisation’s mobile clinic programme delivers essential healthcare services, employing point-of-care tests and medical screening for conditions such as infectious diseases, diabetes, hypertension, nutritional disorders, and cancers. By enabling early detection, these initiatives improve overall wellness, reduce morbidity, and enhance quality of life. Standout Care has achieved an 8% average increase in case detection of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) across 25 districts in Ghana.
In addition to healthcare delivery, Standout Care runs impactful health education campaigns using modern and traditional media to promote awareness and healthy behaviours. It is currently developing an Interactive Voice Response Service (IVRS) to combat medical misinformation and deliver health education messages in local dialects, fostering inclusion.
Since its inception in 2017, Standout Care has expanded access to healthcare for over 10,000 Ghanaians annually, impacting more than 20 rural communities, orphanages, and prison units.
She/Her
Milena Silveira
The LOBA Festival is a literary movement focused on amplifying the voices of Brazilian women writers, creating an inclusive space that celebrates diverse female literary expression. Supported by state and federal initiatives, including funding through the Paulo Gustavo Law, the festival aims to enhance the visibility of women in literature. Its programme includes lectures, workshops, and literary presentations, providing a platform for authors, readers, and professionals to connect, learn, and inspire. The festival encourages new generations of writers to find their place in the literary world.
Alongside the festival, the LOBA Festival Award honours Brazilian women authors, with its inaugural edition receiving 624 submissions across 10 categories. Notably, 238 submissions came from underrepresented groups, such as transgender women, Black, Indigenous, quilombola, single mothers, people with disabilities, and Bolsa Família beneficiaries. This demonstrates the festival’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, amplifying historically marginalised voices. The LOBA Festival contributes to a more inclusive and pluralistic Brazilian literary landscape, providing recognition and visibility for authors from diverse backgrounds, and enriching the literary community with varied perspectives and stories.
She/Her
Daryna Kupriianova
DAR for Peace and Equality, founded in 2025 by Daryna and Dr. Larysa Kupriianova in Milan, Italy, is an international initiative promoting the social inclusion of migrants, refugees, and forcibly displaced persons from diverse backgrounds. Its key objectives include conducting research, developing practical integration strategies, and advocating multiculturalism.
The co-founders are prominent researchers recognised for theories such as migrational nomadism and healing amnesia. They introduced innovative approaches like DAR Multilingua Multipersonalia, a method to alleviate displacement-related disorders via language learning. DAR's practical initiatives include publishing 65+ peer-reviewed articles, youth exchanges, training programs, and volunteer work in detention camps.
Notable accomplishments include collaborations with international organisations, co-creating e-books and courses on youth empowerment, and launching projects like Vyshyvanka Challenge to promote Ukrainian traditions. Their educational efforts encompass topics like wartime emergency conditions and leadership, impacting over 200 students globally. DAR also emphasises cultural pride, encouraging migrants to cherish both their origins and host cultures, fostering mutual respect crucial for global harmony. Their ongoing work is shaping inclusive practices worldwide.
She/Her
Safaa Ayyad
Co-founded by Safaa in 2019, Foras is a platform that empowers young talent by providing access to internships, scholarships, volunteering, and job opportunities. It bridges the gap between skilled youth and organizations through a seamless SaaS platform, helping both individuals and companies thrive. Founded to uplift Palestinian youth and drive regional economic development, Foras addresses the critical gap in the job market where talented individuals struggle to find aligned opportunities.
Since its launch, Foras has posted over 5,000 opportunities, including jobs, training programmes, voluntary work, scholarships, and grants, and has attracted more than 30,000 active users, growing at 20% per month. It has facilitated 1,200 job placements and expanded to include remote roles with companies in the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, and Oman.
Since April 2024, Foras has implemented three capacity-building programmes focusing on B2B sales and social media, with over 72% of participants being women. The platform continues to prioritise female empowerment, offering work-from-home opportunities. Additionally, Foras has launched the Foras Sa’ideh Series, benefitting over 1,800 young individuals with career guidance and awareness on key topics.
She/Her
Elishua Ngoma
Kitso Academy is an online education platform designed to address the needs of adults and youth who have discontinued traditional schooling. By offering affordable, self-paced resources and virtual classes led by retired educators, the platform mitigates barriers such as financial constraints and inadequate learning support. Its primary goal is to facilitate the attainment of the Adult Senior Certificate, thereby enhancing employment opportunities and fostering personal development among its learners.
Civic Education for Active Citizenship, established in collaboration with Lungile Tlomatsana and implemented within Standard Bank, seeks to cultivate informed democratic engagement. This initiative provides corporate professionals with a simplified understanding of key concepts, including coalition governments, citizen responsibilities in governance, and strategies for holding leaders accountable. Its mission is to strengthen democratic participation and instil a greater sense of civic responsibility in South Africa.
These initiatives reflect a dedication to fostering social impact through education and empowerment in both professional and personal spheres. Both initiatives are united by a commitment to empowerment through education: Kitso Academy focuses on second-chance learning for marginalised individuals, while Civic Education promotes active, informed citizenship in democratic processes.
She/Her
Karem Suarez
Karem Suárez is a Financial Literacy Ambassador with over 12 years of experience, dedicated to making personal finance accessible and engaging, particularly for young professionals and entrepreneurs. Through her dynamic content on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, Karem simplifies complex financial topics such as budgeting, investing, and income diversification. Her content blends storytelling, humour, and practical advice, empowering her audience to make informed financial decisions and work towards financial independence.
Karem's impact extends beyond digital platforms. She regularly participates in conferences, workshops, and collaborations with organisations to reach wider audiences. Her ability to adapt to emerging trends has cemented her as a trusted financial educator. With over 500,000 followers, Karem’s thriving online community actively engages with her content, helping individuals transform their financial habits. In addition to her online presence, Karem is a published author of ¿Y Ahora Qué?, a guide for young people navigating personal finance, which has sold over 10,000 copies. She has also delivered more than 100 workshops, empowering communities with actionable financial tools and improving their financial well-being.
She/Her
Holly Simmons
Niya is dedicated to eradicating unemployment and empowering individuals to succeed in their careers. The organisation has developed the world’s first AI-powered "Career Companion" on WhatsApp, offering free, personalised career guidance 24/7 in any language. This tool helps users plan their careers, update LinkedIn profiles, find relevant training and jobs, generate CVs, practise for interviews, and more. It’s accessible to anyone, anywhere, particularly those facing barriers to employment.
Niya has partnered with over 300 global nonprofits, governments, and communities, supporting refugees, migrants, returning citizens, care leavers, neurodivergent individuals, LGBTQIA+ people, and low-income communities. The tool is available in 60+ countries and can facilitate conversations in over 200 languages, making it a vital resource for those in need of career support.
Niya connects users to over 10,000 free training courses and searches through 15 million live job opportunities to match users with the right roles. In the past two months, Niya has exchanged more than 30,000 messages of career support. The platform continues to expand its reach and is eager to support the global One Young World community.