Strengthening the skills, knowledge, and confidence of young peacebuilders worldwide
UNOY provides young peacebuilders with opportunities to strengthen their skills, knowledge, and confidence, so they can better promote sustainable peace in their communities. From training to mentorship, financial support and publications, we create spaces and tools for individuals and youth-led organisations to learn, share, and grow as changemakers.
Capacity development at UNOY is member-centered, collaborative, inclusive and mutually empowering. We focus on strengthening individuals, organisations, and networks, creating ripple effects that multiply knowledge and skills across communities. Our approach ensures that every programme, resource, and training session contributes to long-lasting transformations in individuals and organisations alike.
Our Programmes
Training & Learning Spaces
Every year, UNOY organises 2 regional in-person workshops, as well as a global online training for members. These spaces focus on topics such as advocacy, fundraising, and implementation of the Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) Agenda. Our non-formal educational approach to training prioritizes participatory, practical and needs-based learning.
The Young Peacebuilders Forum is our flagship event for global peer learning, strengthening youth-led organisations, and co-creating YPS strategies.
UNOY also advises and trains external peacebuilding stakeholders on YPS and meaningful youth engagement.
Peace Allies Program (PAP)
Putting intergenerational collaboration into practice, PAP provides one-on-one, tailored support to UNOY member organisations by connecting them with experienced mentors from our alumni and partner networks. The programme enables mutual learning, organisational development of our members, and contributes to our efforts to decentralise UNOY’s capacity development efforts.
Peer-Learning
Through member-led knowledge exchanges and workshops, UNOY offers a space for solidarity, mutual growth, and global connection – building on the collective expertise and experience within our network, and making learning relatable and accessible. Previous topics on which UNOY members have led peer-learning activities include building YPS Coalitions and countering electoral violence.
Our Community of Trainers
Our Community of Trainers is a dynamic group of young peacebuilders from UNOY member organisations around the world and spread across all of our six regions. They bring first-hand expertise in peacebuilding and facilitate training, workshops, and resource development for UNOY members. Trainers are certified by UNOY following an extensive, certified Training of Trainers Programme.
Resources
UNOY develops and publishes practical toolkits and research on youth-led peacebuilding.
We provide opportunities for members to co-create these resources so they can share their knowledge and multiply impact across communities. One example includes the recently published, award-winning Catalyst for Change research report, developed by our Americas Youth Advocacy Team.
UNOY also supports partners and external stakeholders in developing online training resources, for example the United Nations System Staff College for the YPS primer on in-country implementation.
Get Involved
For UNOY member organisations
- Join a training - participate in our in-person or online activities
- Lead peer-learning - share your expertise with fellow members
For UNOY alumni
- Become a Peace Ally - mentor the next generation of youth-led peacebuilding organisations.
Request training support on topics related to YPS
Questions?
Reach out to Capacity Development Lead Paul Klahre at paul.klahre@unoy.org.