City Foundation Selects Japanese Organization for Global Innovation Challenge Supporting Youth Employment

City Foundation Enhances Youth Employment Initiatives

City Foundation has made a significant announcement today regarding its Global Innovation Challenge geared towards increasing employment opportunities for the youth. This initiative will provide $500,000 grants to 50 community organizations worldwide in 2025, continuing City’s long-standing commitment to the economic futures of young people. The chosen organizations aim to implement innovative employment solutions for low-income youth through this funding.

In Japan, the nonprofit organization SunKakusha has been selected as one of the grant recipients. The organization is committed to constructing new employment support systems aimed at providing safe job opportunities for young people who are at risk of engaging in illegal jobs or criminal activities due to isolation and economic hardship. Through the grant from City Foundation, the program aspires to deliver safe job opportunities to 10,000 young people.

Youth unemployment remains a deep-rooted issue even in the face of recent improvements. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), an estimated 65 million young people are currently unemployed worldwide. This situation burdens public resources, exacerbates poverty, and hinders growth, posing a serious challenge to the development of the global economy.

Edward Skyler, head of City’s Enterprise Services & Public Affairs, emphasized the importance of providing relevant skills and meaningful opportunities to today’s youth, stating, “As young people continue to encounter significant barriers to employment, it is crucial to expand their potential. City and City Foundation have a proven track record of investing in youth to help them gain employment opportunities and drive broader economic growth. We look forward to seeing the fruits of our collaboration with grant recipients as we work together to tackle the skills mismatch in the job market.”

Young people face numerous challenges in their job searches, with skills mismatch being a prominent concern. A report by the World Economic Forum indicates that 63% of employers recognize this as a significant barrier to employment, and it’s predicted that 39% of current skill sets will become obsolete within the next five years. Furthermore, disparities in the post-pandemic recovery of young individuals, particularly in emerging markets, have been noted, as the acceleration of digital transformation rapidly reshapes job opportunities. Projections suggest that by 2030, 60% of employers will view the expansion of digital access as a means to transform their businesses, leading to a high demand for new skills in fields such as AI.

The total grant of $25 million from the City Foundation will support the pilot implementations and expansion of employment solutions for low-income youth selected through a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process. This funding will back various programs aimed at improving digital literacy (including AI), skills development, vocational training, learning through practical experience, career guidance, and the provision of entrepreneurship support and mentorship.

These effective solutions are designed to help young people adapt to a rapidly changing economy and an employment landscape that is markedly different from what previous generations experienced. The programs funded through these grants will be implemented over two years, and recipient organizations will participate in a learning community with other grantees. This initiative will foster deep connections among organizations providing social support globally, allowing them to share insights and exchange best practices.

For more details, including a list of the grant recipient organizations, visit www.citifoundation.com/challenge.

Follow the hashtag #InnovationChallenge on social media to keep an eye on the impact these organizations are generating.

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