Youth 4 Sustainability, a global initiative led by Masdar, reached its 10-year milestone in 2026 while continuing to equip young participants with the skills needed to address climate challenges and promote sustainable development. The program operates under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council. According to the Youth 4 Sustainability website, more than 50,000 young people have taken part in its activations, workshops and events over the decade, with 1,200 others graduating from its core leadership programs.
The initiative has hosted more than 680 speakers and delivered over 300 workshops and activations while supporting 110 youth-led innovation projects during that period. Its knowledge hub has provided in excess of 940 hours of learning content focused on sustainability principles and leadership development. These efforts have positioned the program as a key platform for connecting youth with policymakers, business executives and technology experts across the globe.
Two flagship year-long schemes form the backbone of its activities, with the Future Sustainability Leaders Program aimed at university students and young professionals aged 19 to 35. The Sustainability Ambassadors Program targets UAE-based high-school students between 15 and 18 years old, combining classroom learning with practical experiences and networking at major sustainability forums. Both tracks emphasize mentorship, innovation challenges and exposure to real-world applications of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
A global mentorship program concluded in December 2025 as part of ongoing efforts to build leadership capacity, pairing 25 participants from 11 countries with experts from 14 organizations including Masdar, IRENA, ADNOC Group and several universities. Sixty-four percent of the mentees and 60 percent of the mentors were female, reflecting a deliberate focus on gender equity in sustainability leadership. Dr. Lamya Fawwaz, Executive Director of Brand and Strategic Initiatives at Masdar, said, “Our priority is to prepare future leaders who can operate with clarity and purpose. The Y4S Mentorship programme gives them structured guidance, exposure to decision-makers, and the tools to navigate the sustainability transformation with confidence.”
Registration for the 2026 programs drew record interest, with nearly 1,000 applications received for approximately 120 places the previous year and even higher numbers recorded for the latest cycle. The 2026 Future Sustainability Leaders cohort selected 54 participants, while the Sustainability Ambassadors group included 50 young people representing 10 nationalities, 76 percent of whom were Emirati. These figures, published by the organization, underscore growing demand for structured pathways into the green economy.
Participants gain opportunities to develop projects through the Out-of-Labs innovation challenge and the Code 4 Climate hackathon, where they create AI-enabled solutions addressing specific sustainability targets. The initiative also facilitates cross-cultural exchanges via the Beyond Borders Program and encourages volunteer work to strengthen community impact. Such components have helped translate classroom concepts into tangible contributions within participants’ home countries.
Applications for the 2027 edition of both programs remain open until the end of November 2026, with interested candidates directed to submit through the official Y4S platform. The initiative continues to align its curriculum with evolving priorities in renewable energy, circular economy practices and sustainable finance. Organizers expect the coming year to build on the foundation established over the past decade by expanding international partnerships and deepening engagement with emerging leaders.