Youth/Adolescents

A free, anonymous digital messaging platform empowering 37 million young people in 102 countries to share opinions and drive community change. Launched in Uganda in 2011, U-Report integrates with SMS, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, Telegram, Viber, and WhatsApp to reach youth where they are. During emergencies like COVID-19 and mpox outbreaks, U-Report disseminates life-saving health information. In DRC alone, over 8 million U-Reporters receive critical health, nutrition, and hygiene messages. Features include mental health chatbots, civic engagement polls, and community feedback mechanisms.

A pioneering digital sexuality education platform by RNW Media reaching 40+ million young people in countries where sex education is censored. Operating across India, Kenya, China, Egypt, and Arabic-speaking regions since 2011, Love Matters provides non-judgmental information on relationships, safe sex, STIs, and reproductive health through culturally-tailored websites and social media. In Kenya, it became one of the most-visited websites, partnering with newspapers and using music/drama for outreach. Love Matters Arabic is the only dedicated SRHR platform in the Arabic language for youth.

India's flagship nutrition awareness campaign conducted annually in September. Uses mass media, community mobilization, and interpersonal communication to promote breastfeeding, complementary feeding, anemia prevention, and hygiene behaviors among mothers, children, and adolescent girls.

UN Office of Counter-Terrorism's flagship youth program in Southeast Asia and East Africa building young people's capacity to participate in P/CVE policymaking. Includes three components: training young religious leaders in interfaith dialogue (Empowering Dialogue and Interfaith Networks - EDIN); equipping young media makers with strategic communication skills for online counternarratives (Young Leaders for Online PCVE); and supporting youth participation in national and regional P/CVE action plans.

A global youth-led initiative founded by Kofi Annan empowering young people to prevent violent extremism through peer-to-peer approaches. Operating across South/Southeast Asia, East Africa, and the Sahel, the program has trained 10,000+ young people in PVE and engaged 15,000 in dialogue activities. Young leaders develop local chapters and lead community initiatives including intergenerational dialogues, artistic performances, and awareness campaigns promoting 'togetherness' as counter-narrative to extremist ideologies.

UNDP's flagship research and programming initiative understanding why young Africans join violent extremist groups. The 'Journey to Extremism' study interviewed 718 former voluntary recruits across Africa, revealing that 71% cited a government action (often killing or arrest of family member) as the tipping point for joining. This evidence informs UNDP's prevention work in 40+ countries, addressing 'push factors' (poverty, marginalization, governance failures) and 'pull factors' (belonging, purpose, financial incentives) through development interventions.

UNHCR Jordan implements comprehensive health communication programs for Syrian refugees and host communities. Uses community health volunteers, mobile clinics, and digital platforms to promote vaccination, maternal health, and mental health services. Reaches over 650,000 registered refugees across camps and urban settings.

FHI 360 implements youth development programs in Jordan focusing on employability, life skills, and civic engagement for Jordanian and Syrian refugee youth. Uses peer education, mentorship, and digital platforms to build skills and change attitudes toward entrepreneurship and self-reliance.

Mercy Corps implements youth-focused programs across Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq to build resilience and social cohesion among conflict-affected communities. Uses sports, arts, and dialogue to bring together diverse groups and address drivers of conflict and extremism.

The Global Fund invests in behavior change communication as part of comprehensive HIV, TB, and malaria programs. Supports national campaigns for prevention, testing, and treatment adherence across more than 100 countries, with particular focus on key populations and vulnerable groups.

Search for Common Ground (SFCG) implements community dialogue and media-based peacebuilding programs across 35+ countries. Their approach uses participatory media production, community radio, and facilitated dialogue to transform conflict, build trust between divided groups, and promote social cohesion in fragile and conflict-affected settings.

The world's largest peacebuilding organization using media and communications to prevent violent extremism. Since 1982, SFCG has used TV dramas, radio soap operas, and digital campaigns to transform conflict across 30+ countries. Signature programs include Studio Ijambo (Burundi, credited with helping avert genocide through Hutu-Tutsi dialogue) and The Team (soccer drama series promoting peace). Their 'Common Ground Approach' builds bridges across divides through collaborative storytelling and community-led counternarratives to extremism.

BBC Media Action uses media and communication to reduce conflict and build peace in fragile states. Programs include radio dramas addressing ethnic tension, TV debates promoting dialogue, and digital platforms for citizen engagement. Active in countries including Nigeria, Myanmar, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

A targeted P/CVE program in Kenya's coastal counties (Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi, Lamu) working with high-risk individuals vulnerable to violent extremist organization recruitment. Uses a diagnostic approach to identify at-risk youth without stigmatization, then delivers 5-month integrated intervention packages including mentorship, trauma counseling, sports, livelihoods training, and governance dialogues. Research showed 22% reduction in likelihood of justifying violence and 20% increase in participants' sense of agency.

WHO's global social media campaign combating COVID-19 misinformation through the 'infodemic' response. Leveraging TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube, the campaign partnered with influencers and celebrities worldwide to counter false health claims with accurate information. Featured viral dance challenges, myth-busting content, and shareable graphics translated into dozens of languages. The campaign specifically targeted youth populations most active on social media platforms, using humor and pop culture to make health messaging engaging and shareable.