WHAT IS Y4S?

Since the UAE’s birth, its leadership has prioritized investment in young people and deeply valued their role in education and environmental stewardship.

With its focus on learning and sustainability, Y4S embodies these values.

Established in 2016, Y4S aims to reach one million young people by 2030 through a blended learning experience. It also aims to create awareness of the skills needed for future jobs in sustainability. Y4S does this via its Future Sustainability Leaders and Sustainability Ambassadors programs, and global outreach activities

Supported by Principal Partner Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, Y4S is aligned with the UAE’s Principles of the 50 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs).

HH sheikh Khaled bin Zayed al Nahyan, Y4S, khaled bin Zayed al Nahyan, COP28
WHY IS IT NEEDED?

By 2030, the green economy could create 24 million new jobs. While this massive green job creation presents huge opportunities for governments, businesses, and members of industry, it will also be a major period of transition requiring new skills and ways of thinking.

Today's youth will be an integral part of this transition as they drive the world’s sustainability agenda. Y4S was established to equip young people around the world with the skills, knowledge, and opportunities to tackle climate change.

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Y4S Impact To Date

41,800+

young people engaged and participated with Y4S online and in-person activities

290+

students trained to volunteer during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week

1,500+

Sustainability Ambassadors and Future Sustainability Leaders attended conferences organized by Y4S

900+

graduates from the Sustainability Ambassadors and Future Sustainability Leaders programs

295+

hours of mentoring given to young people on problem-solving, design thinking, entrepreneurship, and coding

140+

Workshops and activations delivered

90+

Youth-led innovation projects ideated

560+

hours of learning and capacity-building content delivered

Y4S Sustainability Programs

Future Sustainability Leaders (FSL) Program

The Future Sustainability Leaders (FSL) 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 provides core knowledge, skills training, genuine work experience and networking skills through events that take place over a 12-month period. Each cycle begins at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), the region’s largest sustainability gathering, held each January in Abu Dhabi.

Through this unique programme, students learn about the future outlook of the sustainability agenda, and better understand how to positively contribute to the implementation of global sustainable development goals.

Deadline: November 30, 2024.

If you require any further information, please email y4s@masdar.ae

Sustainability Ambassadors Program

The Sustainability Ambassadors (SA) is a year-long program designed for high school students to become Sustainability Ambassadors by offering them core knowledge & skills training, authentic work experience, and quality networking at major events during the academic year.

Through this unique program, students play an active role in Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) and engage in a year-round program 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 (SDGs).

The SA program accepts 50 new students in every cohort.

Deadline: November 30, 2024.

If you require any further information, please email y4s@masdar.ae

Y4S Programs

The forum’s purpose is to inspire youth-led discussions about sustainability and empowerment. It welcomes government leaders, industry leaders, young innovators and social entrepreneurs. The forum attracts more than 3,000 speakers and attendees during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.

A platform that aims to motivate FSL and SA members to address sustainability and climate challenges by offering capacity-building programs in entrepreneurship and innovation, as well as offering technological skill development through initiatives like Innovate 4 Climate (I4C) Innovation Challenge, Code 4 Climate (C4C) Hackathon, and Out-of-Labs.

Y4S Series

Series of talks, hands-on experiences, and industry-focused workshops, delivered in partnership with Y4S partners and stakeholders.