UN-HABITAT’s New Opportunities Fund grants 67 Youth Groups

Nearly 1,116 applicants from more than 80 countries applied for the UN-HABITAT’s Opportunities Fund for Urban Youth-Led Development. Out of these, 67 projects were finally selected to receive grants from the UN-HABITAT for engaging youths for development. These projects are from 33 countries across the world but most of them are from Kenya, India, Pakistan and Cameroon.

The grantees were announced on the occasion of World Habitat Day, celebrated on 5 October 2009. They will receive funding from US $5000 to US $25,000. According to Mrs. Anna Tibaijuka, the Executive Director of UN-HABITAT, ““This application process had two goals, both of which exceeded our expectations. We wanted, for the first time, to define the breadth and depth of global youth development in some of our most challenged urban environments. We also wanted to enhance the successes of innovative youth groups that have proven benefits for their communities. We are amazed at the quality and quantity of applicants.”

Some of the grantees include, “a Kenyan environmental group recycling plastic waste, a Nigerian HIV/AIDS counseling project for young mothers and sex workers, a Palestinian group dedicated to computer and media training as a platform showcasing human rights, and a Pakistani literacy, job and lifestyle skills development programme. Another is a Brazilian youth organization which trains young people as environmental leaders.”

Source
30 September 2009