Global Opportunity Youth Network (GOYN)
Around the world, millions of young people have limited opportunities—not because they lack talent or drive, but because structural barriers in the local economy impede their economic mobility. Inspired and informed by OYF’s approach in the US, the Global Opportunity Youth Network engages local public, private, and civil society partners alongside young people to collaborate at the community level, building pathways to dignified employment and entrepreneurship opportunities and changing entire systems to ensure young people realize their full potential.
Hosted under the Aspen Forum for Community Solutions and managed in partnership with Global Development Incubator (GDI), GOYN improves economic outcomes for “Opportunity Youth” – young people aged 15-35 who are out of school, unemployed, or working in informal, often precarious jobs. Currently in 17 communities across 9 countries, GOYN makes a long-term commitment to its communities, bringing training organizations, employers, and policymakers together to tackle the systemic employment challenges that Opportunity Youth (OY) face. Young people themselves co-lead in designing solutions relevant to the local context, opening doors to sustainable livelihoods and stable, vibrant communities.
Visit the GOYN website for more information
GOYN’s long-term commitment to locally-driven impact is reinforced by global-level support. We mobilize global and local funding partners, connect an ever-expanding global youth leadership network across regions and languages, strengthen capacity of local GOYN Anchor Partners and collaborative members, and foster mutual learning through research and case studies, communities of practice, peer exchanges and coaching, and a rigorous global data dashboard. We also contribute thought leadership and elevate youth voices on stage at international fora, ensuring OY help shape the global agenda. This centralized assistance ensures GOYN communities have the resources, information, and connections to accelerate change.
“For far too long, young people with talent, creativity, and drive have been locked out of the education and workforce systems meant to support them. GOYN stepped in to fill this void with the first global platform, rooted in local leadership and action, dedicated to economic inclusion for opportunity youth across the globe.”
– Jamie McAuliffe, Founder & Director, GOYN
Our Approach
GOYN’s approach is rooted in place-based collaboration, movement-building, learning, youth voice and leadership, innovative financing, data and technology, and equity of access and opportunity. Our approach works because youth lead every stage of the process, cross-sector partners share power and accountability to ensure locally grounded solutions, and it focuses on scalable, systemic shifts that create sustainable, long-term impact.
Our Impact
In addressing the structural barriers that limit youth potential, GOYN works collaboratively within communities to create long-term, sustainable pathways to economic opportunity that are designed to scale up and compound impact over time. To that end, GOYN seeks impact at three levels: Opportunity Youth, ecosystem stakeholders, and communities and labor markets.
