Aspen is a place for leaders to lift their sights above the possessions which possess them. To confront their own nature as human beings, to regain control over their own humanity by becoming more self-aware, more self-correcting, and hence more self-fulfilling.
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. The Global Opportunity Youth Network (GOYN), in partnership with Global Development Incubator (GDI), 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 at the Aspen Forum for Community Solutions, GOYN was inspired and informed by the work of the Opportunity Youth Forum, our sister network that reconnects Opportunity Youth in the United States to education and/or career pathways.
Since our launch in 2018, we have built a dynamic network in 10 countries across Africa, Latin America, India, and the Middle East and North Africa
1million +
Opportunity Youth Connected to the journey to economic mobility
327,500
Opportunity Youth with Improved employability, skills, and/or agency
132,900
Opportunity Youth Transformed with improved livelihoods through employment or entrepreneurship
EVENTS AND PROGRAMS
What We Do
GOYN is a community of partners and young leaders who are breaking down barriers to economic opportunity and creating lasting change so young people can thrive in livelihoods and life.
We bring together young leaders, partners, and stakeholders from across our network to connect, learn, and take action. These dynamic gatherings center youth voice, showcase innovative solutions, and spark collaboration across communities.
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.
