Youth for SDG 6

Sustainable Development Goal 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all is one of the 17 global goals set by the United Nations General Assembly. To achieve the targets by 2030, adequate infrastructure, sanitation facilities, encouraging hygiene, enhancing capacity-building support for desalination, water efficiency, wastewater treatment, recycling and reusing technologies, improving accessibility, protecting and restoring water-related ecosystems are necessary. 

Millions of young people face uncertain economic prospects, low employment rates, and significant social stressors. The youth unemployment rate is 10.6 percent in Bangladesh and 29.8 percent of the total youth population are neither in education, nor in employment or training. It is believed that given the right opportunities, these young people can become change makers with the ability to improve the lives of their communities, while growing the required professional skills and capacity that support them to find work and build successful careers. 

The platform was led through member volunteers, selected through a creative and competitive selection process. The member volunteers was equipped with knowledge and skills through comprehensive training from WASH Sector, worked as one or several teams to design and implement WASH agendas in locality, supported where needed by general volunteers-developing capacity on advocacy, campaign, networking, public speaking skills, problem-solving and decision-making skills. The platform contributed to overcoming limitations of skilled manpower in the workforce. Graduates became platform alumni, continuing their involvement through alumni-focused networking opportunities and mentoring of new and existing members.

As of the present, the Youth for SDG 6 program is no longer operational. During its active years, the program successfully connected with the next generation of leaders, empowering them to champion the cause of clean water, sanitation, and hygiene. The closure marked the end of a chapter dedicated to fostering positive change. The closure decision was made after a comprehensive assessment of goals, achievements, and available resources. We appreciate the dedication and enthusiasm of everyone involved during the program's active phase. We extend our gratitude to all the member volunteers, advisory panel members, and partners who contributed to the program's success. Your efforts made a significant impact in advancing the goals of sustainable water and sanitation management.

While the Youth for SDG 6 program is no longer active, its legacy lives on through the skills, knowledge, and passion imparted to the young leaders who participated. As it’s very important to keep our community aware of good practice of using Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, we are currently in the process of arranging more youth engagement WASH programmes. So, stay connected for updates on future initiatives. We remain committed to the cause of sustainable water and sanitation management and look forward to potential collaborations in the future. We express our sincere gratitude to everyone who supported the Youth for SDG 6 program.