International Youth day 2025
Every year on August 12, International Youth Day reminds us of something we already know: young people are not just the future, they are the present. This year’s theme, “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond,” celebrates how youth are turning global commitments into tangible, local solutions. From urban to rural communities, youth are creating change that begins at home and ripples outward.
At Resonate, we’ve witnessed the power of youth leadership firsthand. When equipped with the right tools and belief in their potential, young people rise to the challenge, turning obstacles in their communities into opportunities. Our programs empower them with the skills and confidence to lead, and it’s this shared journey that makes the impact you see possible.
Behind every workshop and every program lies a courageous story a young person daring to act, even when resources are limited and the odds feel overwhelming. Their actions, however local they may seem, are deeply connected to the Sustainable Development Goals not just as aspirations, but as lived realities.
One such changemaker is Evariste, who joined our Gira Ubushobozi workshop with no clear vision for his future. During the workshop, he learned to focus on meaningful activities, tell his story in a way that inspires others, and recognize his role in solving community problems. When challenged to identify a local need, Evariste realized that toddlers in his area had no nursery classes or safe spaces for early learning. Acting on this, he worked with peers to create a community Early Childhood Development center giving young children a strong start in life while also creating a source of income and employment within his community. Today, the center continues to serve local families, providing quality education and economic opportunities. Watch his full story here.
NTACYOMBAHISHE Evariste
Another changemaker is Maxine, a 25-year-old transportation engineering student from Nyarugenge District, who joined our workshop through the Rise&STEM program at University of Rwanda College of Science and Technology (UR-CST) in March 2023. Before the training, she dreamed of starting a business after graduation but lacked clarity on what to pursue or how to make it happen. During the workshop, the Tree of Life lesson (This is a personal journey that helps participants understand how their past (roots) and present (trunk) connect to shape the person they are and the future they are building (fruits)) and goal-setting session gave her the confidence to begin right away. Leveraging her skills, she launched IKIGANZA Motor Care, a repair and maintenance shop for electric motorcycles, with an initial capital of 700,000 Rwf. Within a year, the business grew to a value of 2.5 million Rwf and now employs four full-time staff. Her journey from uncertainty to a climate-conscious entrepreneur shows the power of vision, confidence, and action. Her business not only created jobs and economic growth but also promoted sustainable and innovative infrastructure for a cleaner future.
IRADUKUNDA Yvette Maxine
Stories like these are why we do what we do. When we invest in programs that support youth leadership and mindset transformation, we are investing in ripple effects in stronger communities, more equitable opportunities, and a generation that knows its worth.
This International Youth Day, we invite you to keep walking alongside us. Continue to believe in local solutions. Continue to fund grassroots impact. Continue to elevate youth voices that too often go unheard. Because when youth bring their energy, innovations, and perspective to leadership, communities thrive and global goals become achievable.