Frequently Asked Questions
IYF defines youth as a stage of life rather than a strict age category. Generally, our programs serve young people ages 15–29, and in some contexts up to 35—particularly in entrepreneurship or social enterprise initiatives. We also recognize that cultural and national definitions of “youth” vary, and we honor those local understandings. Our goal is to reach young people at pivotal transition points—whether entering the workforce, continuing education, or launching ventures—so flexibility is built into every program design.
Safeguarding is a core value at IYF. We have clear policies and procedures to protect all participants from harm, including background checks, reporting mechanisms, partner compliance requirements, and ongoing staff training. Our approach is proactive and preventive—ensuring that every young person who engages with IYF or its partners does so in a safe, respectful, and empowering environment. See our full safeguarding policy here.
IYF was founded in 1990 by a large grant of the Kellogg Foundation. At that time, our primary function was to find the world’s best youth programs and strengthen them often through regranting to them. When that initial funding ran out, we had years of learned experience, expertise, research and tools and a continued challenge of unacceptably high youth unemployment rates. So today, we continue our mission mostly as a grant-seeking long term partner to private, public and corporate impact donors and to anyone seeking to unlock the potential of global youth and we honor our rich history of impact and partnership by keeping our name as International Youth Foundation.
Workforce development is the broader set of strategies, systems, and partnerships that help people develop the skills, experience, and connections they need to enter the workforce, advance in their careers, and meet the needs of employers. Youth employment is one part of workforce development, focused specifically on helping young people successfully transition from education into decent work and build pathways to economic opportunity.
For IYF, workforce development goes beyond helping young people get jobs. We use labor market data, workforce intelligence and employer inputs to align education and training with workforce demand, and apply a systems-change approach to strengthen the institutions, partnerships, and pathways that connect learning to earning. At the same time, we equip young people with the skills, confidence, and agency to navigate a changing world of work and build sustainable careers.
IYF is sector-agnostic but market-driven. We align our work with industries that present strong and sustainable employment opportunities for young people—such as manufacturing, technology, hospitality, and advanced services, including business process outsourcing (BPO) and financial services. We also monitor key global transitions in energy, digital disruption, and artificial intelligence to ensure that the young people we serve are equipped for the jobs and skills of the future. Our role is to help bridge the gap between emerging market needs and youth potential, creating pathways to meaningful and dignified work.
Positive Youth Development (PYD) provides a framework for understanding and supporting young people’s development, including the importance of safe, supportive environments, meaningful relationships, agency, and opportunities to grow.
IYF builds on these principles by not only creating spaces where young people feel safe, supported, and empowered, but also helping them translate that growth into concrete pathways for their futures—connecting their strengths, aspirations, and skills to education, employment, and other opportunities.