Youth 4 Sustainability (Y4S), a Masdar global initiative, continues to empower the next generation of sustainability leaders by equipping youth worldwide with skills to shape a sustainable future.
Launched in 2016, Youth 4 Sustainability empowers the next generation of sustainability leaders through a blended learning experience that actively invests in and supports the development of young people around the world, teaching them the skills needed for the sustainability jobs of the future.
740 young sustainability advocates graduate
Youth 4 Sustainability organizes workshops, awareness campaigns and training sessions, including the Sustainability Ambassadors and Future Sustainability Leaders programs that saw the graduation of more than 740 young sustainability advocates with over 100 workshops and training sessions held, since its launch.
Sustainability Ambassadors is a year-long program for high school students to become Sustainability Ambassadors by offering them core knowledge and skills training, authentic work experience and quality networking at major events during the academic year to learn about the future outlook of the sustainability agenda and better understand how to positively contribute to the implementation of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development goals.
Meanwhile, Future Sustainability Leaders is a year-long program that connects university students and young professionals with global business leaders, policymakers and technology pioneers to help them learn the latest sustainability best practices. The program takes place over a 12-month period to provide students with core knowledge, skills training, genuine work experience and networking skills.
Youth Hub converges over 3,500 young people
Every year, Youth 4 Sustainability hosts the Youth Hub at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), bringing together more than 3,500 young people from around the world. It includes a three-day youth forum that actively engages young people in a series of discussions, climate talks, debates and dialogues to empower young people to act, innovate and lead positive impact.
Organized by Masdar from January 14-16 at ADSW 2025, the Youth 4 Sustainability Hub featured the Annual Y4S Forum, which included dynamic interactive sessions, engaging debates, insightful panels and inspiring keynotes featuring leading experts, entrepreneurs and innovators.
It also hosted Out-of-Labs, an innovation marketplace showcasing cutting-edge climate technologies and net-zero solutions developed by startups and student projects including Y4S participants. Youth Connect, a series of hands-on workshops covering climate literacy and engaging youth climate negotiation simulations, was also a key feature; as well as Innovate 4 Climate Pitch Day, where young innovators pitched their innovative solutions for water scarcity.
The Youth 4 Sustainability Forum seeks to empower and engage the next generation in leading global climate action. Aligned with the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 Strategic Initiative and National Youth Agenda 2031, the forum at ADSW 2025 provides a platform for youth worldwide to connect with senior officials, experts and decision-makers, fostering dialogue and sharing ideas to drive innovation and build a sustainable future.
Under the theme ‘The Nexus of Next. Supercharging Sustainable Progress’, ADSW 2025 connects and empowers policymakers and business and civil society leaders to explore pathways to fast-track the transformation to a sustainable economy and spark a new era of prosperity for all.
