On the sidelines of the 2018 HLPF, SDSN-Youth launched the second Youth Solutions Report.
The report’s solutions, which come from 61 countries, are working to bring about more just, prosperous and environmentally sustainable societies.
Solutions range from Trafficking Dispatch, which aims to end human trafficking and modern slavery globally, to MuHealth, which is improving healthcare in Rwanda.
The report also provides analysis on how young people can access financing and offers recommendations for how youth can support the SDGs.
16 July 2018: The UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN)-Youth launched a report showcasing 50 youth-led solutions in support of the SDGs. The report examines challenges facing youth-led innovation for the SDGs and proposes recommendations to create more integrated ecosystems of support for youth change makers.
The second edition of the ‘Youth Solutions Report’ features SDG solution projects led by youth innovators in academia, business, charity and research, with the aim of showcasing their work and highlighting opportunities for potential investors to support the projects. Projects are classified in three categories: design, pilot and prototyping phase; implementation phase (less than 18 months); and implementation phase (more than 18 months). Projects must take into consideration synergies and trade-offs to the SDGs and have potential impacts that are measureable within the SDG indicator framework.
The report’s solutions, which come from 61 countries, deal with crucial sustainable development issues, including clean energy, education, digitalization, e-participation, healthcare, ecosystem restoration, sustainable agriculture and waste. As an illustration, NatureCoin in South Korea aims to stop the discharge of plastics into the seas using disruptive technology in environmental protection that rewards users of a cryptocurrency when they recycle disposable waste. The initiative addresses SDG 9 (industry, innovation, infrastructure); SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities); SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production); SDG 13 (climate action), SDG 14 (life below water); and SDG 17 (partnerships for the Goals).
The report analyzes barriers young people face in accessing financing, mentoring opportunities and generating visibility for their solutions. On financing, the report recommends developing a robust investment pipeline and designing youth-focused funding vehicles for the SDGs. For instance, SDSN Youth is supporting a pipeline of high-quality solutions to fund. To address the lack of visibility on youth-led solutions, the report highlights the potential of social media to level the playing field by enabling youth to connect and interact with the world. The report suggests that governments and other stakeholders can support such interactions by improving internet infrastructure and access and adjusting attitudes towards young entrepreneurs, among other actions.
On monitoring and review, the report stresses the importance of aligning youth solutions within the SDG indicator framework and considers opportunities for young innovators to support SDG follow-up and review. The report argues that aligning youth-led solutions with SDG targets and metrics can position youth to enhance the impact and efficiency of their solutions and connect youth initiatives with SDG-oriented funders.
SDSN will host a series of digital activations to raise awareness on the report’s solutions, including a Twitter chat on 10 August. [SDSN Youth Press Release] [Report Website] [Publication: Youth Solutions Report 2018] [Report Introduction Video] [Report Launch Webpage] [SDG Knowledge Hub Story on 2017 Youth Solutions Report] [SDG Knowledge Hub Sources]