Youth Empowerment

When young people have a voice, the tools to use it, and a seat at the table, they don’t just imagine a better future, they create it. We invest in their leadership and wellbeing, ensuring they have the tools and resources to harness opportunities.

How we work

We take a holistic approach to youth empowerment by ensuring young people have the mental resilience, entrepreneurial mindset, and civic self-esteem to thrive. Rather than focusing on one piece of the puzzle, we address the full spectrum of what it means to unlock youth potential.

We work with partners to ensure young people have the tools, networks, and confidence to take action in their lives and communities. Through our programmes, we help young people turn ambition into action. We listen to their needs, support their dreams, and create spaces where their voices matter.

Youth Voice

Society thrives when young people have a say in shaping its future. We embrace their perspectives and work with them to elevate their voices. Through our programmes we empower youth to take action, make decisions, and drive solutions to the issues that matter most.

Together with our partners, we’re shifting the narrative to celebrate youth as leaders today—not just in the future—and encouraging communities to value their contributions.

Mental Wellbeing

To do well, young people need to be well. Mental wellbeing is crucial for confidence, resilience, and success. Yet across the world, youth mental health is often overlooked, underfunded, and misunderstood. Many young people struggle in silence, facing anxiety, stress, and pressures that impact their ability to learn, work, and engage with their communities.

Our programmes focus on equipping youth with tools to build resilience, foster hope, and unlock their potential.

Entrepreneurial Mindset

The world needs young people who can think creatively, take risks, and solve problems. An entrepreneurial mindset is not just about starting a business, it is about having the confidence to turn ideas into action. Whether in business, social impact, or leadership, young people need the skills and mindset to navigate an uncertain world, create new opportunities, and shape the future.

We support initiatives that foster creativity, problem-solving, and innovation, ensuring young people gain the tools to adap and lead.

Our Partners

We partner with NGOs, social enterprises, grassroots leaders, global organisations, and businesses that lead the work, shape the agenda, and drive change where it matters most.

Waves for Change

EMpower

Amthuba Collective

WeThePeopleSA

Waves for Change

Waves for Change (W4C) is a South African social enterprise that uses surf therapy to improve the mental health and well-being of vulnerable children from disadvantaged backgrounds, offering them a chance to learn, grow, and heal through surfing and supportive mentorship.

EMpower

Founded in 2000, EMpower—The Emerging Markets Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation that partners with local organisations in emerging market countries, and other change-makers, to enable marginalised young people to transform their lives and communities.

Amthuba Collective

Amathuba Collective is creating supportive ecosystems that place young people at the heart of systemic transformation.

WeThePeopleSA

WeThePeopleSA was born to promote respect for the Constitution, human rights and democracy. We animate the Constitution to help bridge the gap between its values and ideals and our lived reality.

Meet our Partners 

It is imperative that we empower the next generation for economic prosperity and sustainable development. Africa stands at the forefront of global attention, with its youthful demographic shaping the trajectory of key issues such as climate change. I am committed to supporting the Foundation in its efforts to support agents of change across the continent to realise their full potential and contribute to Africa's story of growth.”
Mamadou Biteye, Executive Secretary, African Capacity Foundation and Trustee, Anglo American Foundation

Read our stories

Hear from our partners and explore their inspiring stories of leadership and collaboration that amplify youth voices and create opportunities.
Latest updates
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Supporting mental health in Peru

The Anglo American Foundation is proud to support EMpower in launching this report, which maps the state of adolescent and youth mental health in Arequipa and Cusco, exposes deep service gaps, and offers a roadmap for systemic change grounded in young people’s voices.