A strong partnership for a strong future

In the remote, mountainous Bajura district of Nepal, the Human Resource Centre is working to ensure that children and young people have access to quality education and new opportunities for the future. Schools are being equipped with modern teaching materials and a child-friendly learning environment is being created so that learning is enjoyable and girls are specifically supported. At the same time, the project helps young people acquire practical skills and find new ways to secure their livelihoods.

In the metropolitan areas of Mumbai and Madhya Pradesh, our partners Vacha and Muskaan are empowering disadvantaged and indigenous youth who are often excluded from government support. Young leaders are being trained to educate their communities about discrimination and social exclusion and to mobilize hundreds more young people. Together, they help families access social services and actively combat gender inequality – for example, through shared sports activities. This creates strong networks that give young people a voice and new opportunities.

With our partner Rights Beyond Borders, we support around 950 refugee children and young people from Myanmar who have fled violence and insecurity to Thailand. They receive psychosocial support, protection, and are empowered to process their traumatic experiences and find new hope. Young refugees are trained as advocates for children's rights and help to connect and support their communities. Through targeted training and workshops, they learn to actively advocate for children's rights and protection.

The Catholic Institute of Education (CIE) supports unemployed young people in disadvantaged neighborhoods of Gauteng province in acquiring market-oriented skills and finding their way into the workforce. Through practical training and targeted support, young women and men are prepared for entering the workforce – whether in the formal or informal sector. Particularly entrepreneurial young people also receive training in business start-up and are mentored along the way. 

The Outreach Foundation in Johannesburg and rural areas of South Africa supports disadvantaged and refugee youth—many of whom lack official status or access to education—by providing adaptable vocational skills, fostering entrepreneurship, and offering psychosocial support. Young mothers and migrants, in particular, receive targeted assistance to develop new perspectives for themselves and their children. Through workshops, mentoring, and legal advice, they are encouraged to take control of their future and break the cycle of poverty and exclusion.

In Livingstone, Zambia, young people are transforming waste into a source of income with the "Trash for Cash" initiative: They collect, sort, and sell recyclables such as plastic, glass, and paper to recycling companies. The idea originated from a youth exchange program with Germany and has significantly raised awareness of environmental protection in the city. More and more families are participating, the streets are becoming cleaner, and the young people are securing their own income. The project continues to grow and is inspiring other cities to combine environmental protection with entrepreneurship.

Sambia: Creating an income with environmental protection

In the highlands of Ayacucho, Quechua youth are learning how to provide their communities with clean water through innovative rainwater harvesting systems. Young indigenous women, in particular, are being empowered to share their knowledge of water harvesting, sustainable agriculture, and entrepreneurship. In doing so, they not only improve local health and quality of life but also advocate for their environmental rights. The project serves as a model for sustainable development and inspires other regions to follow suit.

Peru: Resilience against climate change

CEDECA in Brazil is a resource center for children growing up in difficult circumstances. Here they receive legal advice, psychosocial support, and protection from violence. The team is committed to advocating for children's rights and accompanies them on their path to a safe life. In this way, the children learn that they are not alone.

Our partner APADIM in Córdoba is committed to empowering children and young people with and without disabilities to become active "environmental citizens." They learn to defend their right to a clean and healthy environment and work together to bring about sustainable change in their neighborhoods, which are plagued by environmental problems. Through workshops, campaigns, and political education, they are strengthened to break down barriers and advocate for greater participation and environmental protection. This fosters an inclusive movement that fights for environmental justice and social change.