Collins Sefa Starting a business is never easy—especially for young people who often face age-related bias, limited access to capital, networks, and mentorship, and fewer opportunities to be taken seriously. For many of the 700 million youth across the Asia-Pacific region, finding meaningful support can make all the difference.
Launched in 2017 by UNDP and the Citi Foundation, Youth Co:Lab was built on the powerful belief that young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow—they are the solution drivers of today. By investing in youth and their ideas, the initiative helps fast-track progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through leadership, social innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Transforming Ideas into Impact
Since its inception, Youth Co:Lab has reached over 300,000 young people in 28 countries and territories across Asia and the Pacific. More than 28,000 young social entrepreneurs have received tailored support, including:
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Training & capacity-building
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One-on-one mentorship
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Financial sustainability tools
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Exposure to regional and global networks
Working alongside 300+ entrepreneurship support organizations, the initiative has not only empowered individuals but also helped create 155,000 livelihoods, with an estimated 13 million people benefiting from the innovations launched by supported startups.
Real Stories. Real Impact.
Take DeafTawk, a startup offering a digital platform that delivers real-time sign language services for people with hearing disabilities. With Youth Co:Lab’s backing, DeafTawk has expanded to five countries, reached over 97,000 users, and created more than 1,100 jobs.
“Youth Co:Lab allowed us to connect with global partners and mentors,” says Ali Sabbar, CEO and Co-Founder of DeafTawk.
In the Philippines, Grow School trained over 98,000 youth in sustainable agriculture, helping them become self-sufficient food producers in disaster-prone regions. The program’s success has led to its expansion in Laos, Thailand, and Indonesia.
Scaling Systems for Youth-Led Development
By forging multi-stakeholder partnerships, aligning closely with the SDGs, and leveraging UNDP’s strong regional presence, Youth Co:Lab continues to grow—building more inclusive innovation ecosystems that equip young changemakers with the tools, resources, and networks to scale their impact.
To date, Youth Co:Lab has been supported by $850,000 in UNDP core funding and has successfully mobilized over $67 million from partners, reinforcing the power of collaboration in creating lasting, youth-driven change.
