Empowering Youth for a Sustainable Future: Digital Skills, Climate Action & Innovation
International Youth Day 2024, observed on August 12, celebrates the limitless potential and innovative energy of young people worldwide. The theme for this year, ‘Youth for a Sustainable Future,’ emphasizes the crucial role young individuals play in driving positive change and promoting sustainable development. As we honor their contributions, the Cisco Foundation and its partners recognize the importance of providing youth with the tools and opportunities necessary to build a brighter, more inclusive future. Discover the remarkable work being done by the Raspberry Pi Foundation and Digital Opportunity Trust in this area.
Raspberry Pi Foundation
“Young people must take an active role in shaping a world increasingly influenced by digital technologies. Our mission is to empower them to understand and shape these technologies so they can use them to address the issues they care about.”—Phil Howell, Chief Technology and Product Officer at the Raspberry Pi Foundation.
The Raspberry Pi Foundation empowers young people to reach their full potential through computing and digital technologies, impacting millions of learners annually. With the Foundation’s support, young people develop the knowledge, skills, and mindsets needed to explore computing, engage with digital technologies, and harness these tools for social good.
In collaboration with Cisco, the Foundation has enhanced its support for young learners beginning their coding journey. Through Code Club World, a free platform for learners as young as nine, over 400,000 young people globally have participated in simple block-based coding activities. Learning with Code Club World happens both at home and in over 40 countries through an extensive global network of Foundation-supported, free, in-person Code Clubs.
To encourage further progress, Cisco supports the development of a text-based coding tool for Python and HTML/CSS/JavaScript by the Foundation. This Code Editor, designed specifically for young people, works on mobile and tablet devices and accommodates low-bandwidth internet connections, reducing barriers to access.
Participants from Code Club can showcase their projects in Coolest Projects, a celebration of young digital creators and their technological innovations. This year, over 7,000 young people from 43 countries participated, including Reyansh, Advith, and Aditya from India, who created the Net Zero Home, a model residential building designed to produce as much energy as it consumes. It’s inspiring to see young people using digital skills to create projects that matter to them.
Together, Cisco and the Raspberry Pi Foundation are providing thousands of young people with opportunities for the future by enabling them to advance their coding skills on any device, anywhere.
How Raspberry Pi Foundation is making an impact
Raspberry Pi Foundation
“Young people must take an active role in shaping a world increasingly influenced by digital technologies. Our mission is to empower them to understand and shape these technologies so they can use them to address the issues they care about.”—Phil Howell, Chief Technology and Product Officer at the Raspberry Pi Foundation.
The Raspberry Pi Foundation empowers young people to reach their full potential through computing and digital technologies, impacting millions of learners annually. With the Foundation’s support, young people develop the knowledge, skills, and mindsets needed to explore computing, engage with digital technologies, and harness these tools for social good.
In collaboration with Cisco, the Foundation has enhanced its support for young learners beginning their coding journey. Through Code Club World, a free platform for learners as young as nine, over 400,000 young people globally have participated in simple block-based coding activities. Learning with Code Club World happens both at home and in over 40 countries through an extensive global network of Foundation-supported, free, in-person Code Clubs.
To encourage further progress, Cisco supports the development of a text-based coding tool for Python and HTML/CSS/JavaScript by the Foundation. This Code Editor, designed specifically for young people, works on mobile and tablet devices and accommodates low-bandwidth internet connections, reducing barriers to access.
Participants from Code Club can showcase their projects in Coolest Projects, a celebration of young digital creators and their technological innovations. This year, over 7,000 young people from 43 countries participated, including Reyansh, Advith, and Aditya from India, who created the Net Zero Home, a model residential building designed to produce as much energy as it consumes. It’s inspiring to see young people using digital skills to create projects that matter to them.
Together, Cisco and the Raspberry Pi Foundation are providing thousands of young people with opportunities for the future by enabling them to advance their coding skills on any device, anywhere.
How Raspberry Pi Foundation is making an impact
- Since its inception, over 100,000 learners have engaged with the Code Editor globally through the Foundation’s free coding projects.
- Last year, the Raspberry Pi Foundation reached 1.2 million learners through online learning on the Projects site.
- 40% of the young people who participate in the Raspberry Pi Foundation’s in-person coding clubs are girls.
How to get involved
- Help young people learn to code and get creative with technology by volunteering at a Foundation-supported Code Club near you or starting a new one.
- By donating to the Raspberry Pi Foundation, you can ensure more young people worldwide gain the digital skills and knowledge they need to succeed.
Digital Opportunity Trust
“Digital Opportunity Trust empowers young people in Africa and the Middle East by providing platforms and resources to amplify their voices and turn their ideas into impactful actions. Through digital literacy and 21st-century skills, DOT supports their initiatives, enabling them to become change-makers who lead transformative projects and drive positive change in their communities.”—Janet Longmore, Founder and CEO, Digital Opportunity Trust.
Digital Opportunity Trust (DOT) has played a key role in mobilizing young people to lead climate awareness and community action across Africa and the Middle East. With support from the Cisco Foundation, DOT launched its first climate project, “Mobilizing Young People as Leaders of Climate Awareness and Community Action.” This initiative taps into the energy, creativity, and urgency of youth to build grassroots resilience to climate change. At its core is the DOT Climate program, an experiential learning experience for youth leaders known as Climate Champions. These champions are equipped with a climate curriculum and community placements, empowering them to collaborate with people in climate-vulnerable communities to increase their resilience to climate change. Learn more about Climate Champions in this video.
In the program’s first year, DOT worked with experts to develop an innovative four-week curriculum that combines intensive education on climate science with training in mindfulness, digital skills, climate advocacy, and social innovation. Additionally, DOT and its partners created a custom toolkit that enables Climate Champions to guide small-scale climate action projects in their communities using participatory action research (PAR). The first cohort of Climate Champions included 19 recent university graduates from Lebanon and Tanzania who, after completing the curriculum, engaged 14 communities and reached over 600 community members. Despite facing challenges, they succeeded in helping communities identify and address their most pressing environmental needs, showcasing the potential for local solutions to global problems.
How Digital Opportunity Trust is making an impact
- 19 Climate Champions from Lebanon and Tanzania engaged with 14 communities, reaching over 600 community members.
- 86% of community members reported an increase in climate-related knowledge, and 78% expressed greater motivation to take action.
- The DOT Climate program impacted 624 people, with 365 women and 259 men participating.
- 100% of Climate Champions can confidently explain the science of climate change and its impact on vulnerable communities.
- Over three-quarters of Climate Champions felt confident in inspiring others by the end of the program, a significant increase from less than a quarter at the start.
How to get involved
- Volunteer as a Mentor: Professionals can share their expertise and experiences by mentoring young Climate Champions, helping them develop the skills and confidence needed to lead impactful projects in their communities.
- Participate in Local Environmental Projects: Get involved in local climate action initiatives supported by DOT. Whether organizing community clean-ups, planting trees, or conducting awareness campaigns, participating in these activities can make a significant difference.
Companies