Awareness-raising and direct action are the most common; over 90% of all projects deployed awareness-raising tactics, and 87% used direct action. Young people also recognize that influencing power structures and addressing systemic barriers yield the most transformative results; however, respondents expressed a need for further training and support in these areas to fully realize their goals. Young people are leading credible social change initiatives, yet many still struggle to navigate systems, build alliances, access decision-makers, measure their long-term impact and refine their strategies to achieve their desired outcomes.The projects evaluated in this study were delivered by members of the Global Shapers Community between 1 July 2023 and 31 June 2024. Leveraging their diverse expertise, Global Shapers in designated cities work together to design at least one local project per year. Each project tackles a pressing issue, engages local stakeholders and harnesses a collective action solution. Since 2011, Global Shapers have delivered more than 3,000 local projects, directly improving the lives of over 2 million people by increasing access to education, employment, housing and healthcare. Additionally, they have engaged over 20 million people globally in awareness campaigns and research initiatives on the issues that matter to them most. Young people’s social impact and reach FIGURE 10 0 34,766,077Stakeholders reached or mobilized0 2,114,905Stakeholders directly supportedProjects executed 0 3,619 Since 2011 In the last year3,141 2,034,381 23,144,555 11,621,52280,524 478 The focus of their projects aligns closely with the challenges young people perceive in the world (see Table 2). In total, 34% of the projects focus on increasing access to education, skills and jobs, 24% are reducing emissions and protecting nature, 14% are mobilizing voters to strengthen democracy, 13% are addressing anxiety to improve health and well-being, 11% are advancing equity and inclusion, and 4% are responding to disasters and conflict. The direct alignment between the issues young people face, as outlined in Chapter 1, and the actions they take underscores their deep understanding of the world around them. Informed and observant, young people are attuned to the struggles of others and are driven by a desire to meet the real needs of their communities. Global Shapers Impact Report 18

Global Shapers Impact Report 2025