Global Shapers Impact Report 2025

Recommendations for young changemakers These case studies, along with the broader findings of this report, highlight several essential strategies that young changemakers can implement to strengthen their positive and lasting impact. By integrating these practices, you can enhance the reach, inclusivity and sustainability of your initiatives: –Define your vision and strategy: Effective projects start with a clear understanding of the issue you aim to address. Articulate a vision to guide your work, then develop a strategic roadmap to achieve your goals. Continuously refine your approach to ensure alignment with your mission and purpose. –Engage your community in co-design: To create initiatives that truly resonate, involve community members directly in the design process. Form inclusive design teams and actively seek feedback from those you serve. This approach yields solutions that are meaningful and responsive to local needs. –Craft a compelling narrative: An inspiring narrative can rally others to support your cause. Share your personal motivation, invite others along on the journey, and use language that fosters a sense of community and shared purpose. Emphasize the urgency of action now to build trust with local allies. –Build alliances and think like a movement: Collaborate with allies who bring diverse skills and perspectives. Movements thrive when different actors unite towards a common goal from various angles. Identify and partner with organizations, communities and individuals aligned with your mission to amplify your impact. Connect with a Global Shapers hub near you to get started. –Leverage systemic opportunities: Engage with formal structures, such as youth advisory councils, ministries or offices, to advocate for change nationally or internationally. By working within established systems, you can create meaningful change and avoid duplicating existing efforts. –Identify and engage decision-makers: Determine who has the authority to drive change on issues that matter to you. Focus your efforts on building relationships with these decision-makers, creating opportunities for dialogue and influencing their decisions. Engaging with those in power allows you to move from raising awareness to actively shaping policies and systems that support your mission. –Measure your reach and impact: Define clear indicators of success and regularly assess your progress against them. This approach helps you demonstrate tangible results, refine your strategies, and effectively communicate your achievements to funders, partners, supporters and other stakeholders. –Seek feedback and adapt: Social change often encounters obstacles and setbacks. Be patient with yourself; allow room for mistakes and learn from them. Establish channels for ongoing input from participants and stakeholders alike to continuously refine your strategies in real time. –Celebrate and share your successes: Recognize the importance of celebrating milestones and sharing your successes with your community and stakeholders. Doing so not only boosts morale but also inspires others to act and highlights the tangible impact that young people can have on the world. Since its inception in 2011, the Global Shapers Community has engaged over 30,000 young leaders across 500 cities in 155 countries and territories to tackle pressing global challenges. Through this experience, key empowerment mechanisms have been identified that enhance young people’s participation and serve as a powerful blueprint for other organizations and communities aiming to amplify youth-led action.3.2 Action for young people: case studies Social change often encounters obstacles and setbacks. Be patient with yourself; allow room for mistakes and learn from them. 27 27 Global Shapers Impact Report