In 2023, there are 117.2 millions people who are forcefully displaced or stateless. Refugee youth aged 15 to 24 years comprise approximately 35% of the total refugee population. How refugee youth are welcomed – what health, housing, language, recreational and employment supports are available and how these services are designed and delivered plays a significant role in creating social cohesion and equity.
In addition to that, by 2023, nearly 295 million people, mostly coming from the Global South, live outside of their country of birth. ”Push” and ”pull” factors that are driving migration flows contribute to increasing urban population worldwide. Globally, only 22% of refugees live in camps, while the majority move on to look for more opportunities in cities and smaller settlements.
UN-Habitat and the University of Victoria (Canada,) developed guidelines for the urban resettlement of young men and women. Key issues such as the provision of health services, recreation, native languages and a sensitivity to gender-friendly programmes are key.
UN-Habitat ensures that the variety of intersecting identities and special needs of young refugees and migrants are taken into account while designing the programmes meant to promote social inclusion in cities and other human setlements
UN-Habitat firmly believes that youth and youth-led organizations have the ability to effect change many times the resources invested in them.
Youth that found themselves in the situation of forced displacement, as well as young migrants, are a very diverse social group, with many intersecting identities influencing their needs and the host society's attitudes towards them.
Here is Daniel’s story – listen and let us know in the comments section on YouTube.
The report Refugee Youth: Good Practices in Urban Resettlement, authored by UN-Habitat and the University of Victoria and launched at the World Humanitarian Summit, focuses on good practices, that is, descriptions and examples of appropriate and effective processes, programs, and services that have been developed and delivered specifically addressing the wellbeing of young refugees.
The study suggests several overall key points to consider when working with young refugees: there is no universal refugee experience; agency is emphasized – in contrast to being passive recipients of services; attention to gender is critical; participation and a resiliency lens is more helpful than a vulnerability or deficit lens; continued connection to cultural identity is important and cultural competency is a key requirement for resettlement workers.
We have published a number of briefs on the resettling refugee and migrant youth – read them here:
Eligibility Criteria
All ages up to 24;
If you are less than 18 years old, please provide the contact details of a guardian.
Submission Process
Please use this link to sign-up for the challenge;
Familiarize yourself with the health benefits of public space and Minecraft;
The challenge starts from April 1st;
Submissions will be accepted from May 15th until May 31st.
Submission Requirement
Your submission must include:
A compressed Minecraft world file (max 500mb);
A short description of how your idea is making public spaces healthier and more enjoyable for you(th) (max 400 words/all languages).
Project Criteria
Our judges are seeking for ideas that are: innovative, transformative, inclusive;
The submission that excels in all criteria will win the grand prize.
Judging Process
First round: 10-15 submissions will be selected;
Second round: The selected submissions will pitch their projects to the judges.
Prizes
The main prize is $5,000 towards implementation of the winning solution.
Terms and Conditions
By participating in the challenge you grant UN-Habitat that the images and/or filmed footage can be used on UN-Habitats & UN-Habitats Youth social media accounts, brand merchandise, website, and can be shared with press media outlets. From time to time, materials may also be used by its partners.
Still have questions left? Contact us via unhabitat-urbanhealth@un.org.