On 12 August 2025, young leaders from across the globe gathered in Nairobi and online to mark International Youth Day (IYD) under the theme Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond. Co-hosted by UN-Habitat and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), working with other UN and international NGO, the celebration showcased how youth are not only envisioning but also delivering sustainable change in their communities—transforming the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into local realities.
At the heart of the observance was a powerful symbol of youth leadership: the Youth 2030 Cities DeclarActions . Developed by young people in cities around the world, these DeclarActions are action-oriented commitments to urban transformation, grounded in local priorities and aligned with global frameworks such as the SDGs, the New Urban Agenda, and the Pact for the Future.
A model for SDG localization
The Youth 2030 Cities programme, led by UN-Habitat in collaboration with city governments, youth organizations, and community partners, has grown into a recognized model for SDG localization. Active in more than 14 cities globally, the initiative equips youth to collect and analyze urban data, engage in participatory planning, and co-create policy recommendations with local authorities.
The DeclarActions produced through this process are more than position papers—they are tools for municipal action. Cities have integrated them into strategic plans, budget proposals, and monitoring frameworks, ensuring that young people’s voices directly influence governance.
Doug Ragan, Programme Management Officer for Youth at UN-Habitat, emphasized the scale of engagement: “This year, young people in more than 14 cities worldwide have drafted Youth 2030 Cities DeclarActions . Each reflects a unique local vision, but together they show a shared commitment to inclusive, sustainable, and resilient urban futures.”
Connecting practice to policy
The Youth 2030 Cities approach was at the center of the Meeting of Experts on Guidance for Local Authorities Regarding Youth Actions for the SDGs, convened by UNDESA in Istanbul during the World Environment Day celebrations in June of 2024. This gathering brought together municipal leaders, youth representatives, and technical experts to share practical lessons and identify ways local governments can better support and institutionalize youth-led SDG localization. Outcomes from this meeting continue to inform the design and implementation of the DeclarActions process globally.
From practice to policy frameworks
Building on the Istanbul meeting, the Expert Group Meeting on Policy Solutions to Support Local Youth Actions for the 2030 Agenda and Beyond was held online on 30–31 January 2025. Michal Mlynár, Assistant Secretary-General and then Acting Executive Director of UN-Habitat, stressed the need for institutionalized youth participation: “Youth must be at the center of SDG localization. Young people are not only the largest demographic group in many cities but also lead innovative solutions for sustainable urban development. However, they remain underleveraged partners in governance and decision-making.”
Participants contributed to developing a Guidance Note to help local and regional authorities generate policies and programmes supporting youth-led SDG localization. Ms. Valerhim Pérez Uribe of the UN-Habitat Youth Advisory Board who worked with the youth from the Colombian cities of Cúcuta and Armenia, emphasized the importance of embedding youth voices in territorial development and using participatory tools to ensure inclusivity. Dr. Cherie Enns of the University of the Fraser Valley in Canada shared insights from her report Models and Programs for Youth Governance, Participation and Planning, focusing on spatial justice and human-centered design to ensure urban planning responds to youth rights and needs. Alexandre Caldas from the UN Geospatial Network, underscored the role of geospatial data and early warning systems in shaping evidence-based, youth-responsive policies such as was done in the Mathare informal settlement of Nairobi, Kenya. Together, these contributions highlighted how policy frameworks can bridge the gap between local youth actions and long-term institutional change.
Youth leadership in action
In Mymensingh, Bangladesh, SERAC-Bangladesh led a Youth 2030 Cities process that engaged young people in mapping local climate vulnerabilities, assessing community needs, and co-developing targeted interventions with municipal authorities. The resulting DeclarAction called for investment in early warning systems, sustainable waste management, improved public spaces, and capacity-building for youth-led initiatives. These priorities have since informed local government planning, demonstrating how youth-driven assessments can directly shape municipal strategies for climate resilience and urban well-being.
In Cúcuta, Colombia, the Youth 2030 Cities process built on community priorities to address challenges in mobility, public space, and employment. Youth participants developed a DeclarAction calling for the expansion of sustainable transport options, the recovery of public areas for cultural and sports activities, and targeted initiatives to support youth entrepreneurship and job creation. A key achievement sought was the integration of youth-led proposals into the municipal development plan, with local authorities committing resources for implementation.
In Otavalo, Ecuador, the Youth 2030 Cities process built on an existing DeclarAction developed in 2022, updating it to the through a youth forum designed to integrate indigenous and mestizo perspectives into urban planning and SDG implementation. Fifteen young people participated, receiving training in community leadership, project management, and citizen participation. The updated DeclarAction prioritized SDG 6 on clean water and sanitation, alongside themes of culture and heritage (SDG 11), environment (SDG 15), quality education (SDG 4), economic growth and employability (SDG 8), land and property (SDG 10), and gender equality (SDG 5). A key outcome was the Mayor’s commitment to improving water quality, expanding wastewater treatment, and promoting sustainable water management.
A global call from the Executive Director
Opening the commemoration of IYD in Nairobi, UN-Habitat Executive Director Anacláudia Rossbach underscored the urgency of genuine youth participation:
“Youth are not only the leaders of tomorrow, they are the change-makers of today. Across cities and communities, youth are translating the Sustainable Development Goals into tangible local actions. Whether leading climate initiatives, transforming public spaces, or driving inclusive digital innovation, youth are showing us what a just and sustainable future looks like right now, and right where they live.”
She called for governments and partners to move beyond symbolic engagement: “Not symbolic participation, but real influence. Not just consultation, but collaboration. Let us support youth-led initiatives, invest in youth capacities, and ensure that young people have a seat at every decision-making table—from the street level to the city council chamber.”
From local DeclarAction to global impact
While each Youth 2030 Cities DeclarAction is rooted in a specific local context, together they form a global body of youth-led urban policy work. They are living documents—tracked, updated, and monitored to ensure accountability. The DeclarAction also serve as a bridge between local realities and global reporting mechanisms, feeding into Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs) and Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) on SDG progress.
For many youth leaders, the lesson is one of perseverance: the challenges they face—climate change, inequality, lack of opportunities—are significant, but their DeclarActions prove that solutions are already in their communities. What they need is the space and support to implement them.
Looking ahead
As IYD 2025 concluded, participants left with renewed commitment to scaling up the localization of the SDGs by and for youth, using models such Youth 2030 Cities, expanding its reach, and deepening its impact. Plans are underway to link DeclarActions from multiple cities into regional compendiums, facilitating peer learning and cross-city collaboration.
For UN-Habitat, UN DESA and the UN partners, the event reinforced the central message of this year’s theme: achieving the SDGs by 2030 will require strong, sustained, and meaningful youth engagement at the local level. The Youth 2030 Cities DeclarActions offer a roadmap—one written by young people, for their cities, and for the future they are building together.