Young Champions for Refugees
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is calling on young people to join its global network of Young Champions and help advocate, create content, volunteer and fundraise to support people forced to flee worldwide.
Who are Young Champions?
UNHCR Young Champions are a dynamic community of young supporters and refugees motivated to create a more welcoming world for people who have fled war and persecution. They are students or young professionals between the ages of 15 and 25. They are motivated and passionate about using their skills to help refugees in their communities and around the world.
How do Young Champions help refugees?
Young Champions receive updates with actions to take. They meet with refugees and experts and attend training and brainstorming sessions to inform UNHCR’s communications work.
With UNHCR's guidance, each Young Champion is expected to take five actions each year and stamp them in a digital Action Card in order to obtain an official UNHCR certificate. The actions fall into three categories:
Learn and advocate
- Advocate for refugees and asylum seekers within your school or university (e.g. scholarships, curriculums)
- Call for more welcoming policies and solutions
- Join UNHCR's annual Model UN Refugee Challenge.
Create and inspire
- Give talks and organize events about forced displacement
- Amplify online campaigns to support displaced and stateless people
- Create your own content, art and written pieces.
Volunteer and connect
- Volunteer to help refugees and asylum seekers feel included in your community
- Find innovative ideas to tackle local challenges they face
- Organize fundraising events.
What kind of Young Champion are you?
Are you an Advocate, determined to use your voice to bring attention to the world’s most pressing challenges, or a Volunteer, who thrives on helping those around you? Maybe you are a creative and energic Creator or a problem-solving Innovator?
THE INNOVATOR
A curious and creative problem-solver, the innovator develops new projects or products to solve specific issues.
THE CREATOR
Playful, creative and energetic, the creator likes to use their talent and creative tools to communicate ideas.
THE ADVOCATE
A charismatic leader and critical thinker, the advocate likes to brainstorm solutions and persuade others.
THE VOLUNTEER
Committed, compassionate and empathetic, the volunteer enjoys helping others and supporting a good cause.
What is expected of a Young Champion?
By joining our network, Young Champions agree to follow a set of rules in relation to their communication, actions and use of the Young Champions lock-up and name. You can always contact [email protected] if you have any questions. Make sure to read and abide by our Code of Conduct.
What resources does UNHCR provide?
📚 Action toolkits
Follow some easy steps to advocate, volunteer and fundraise for refugees.
📧 Newsletters
You will receive emails with news, stories and ideas of actions to take.
🗓️ Monthly sessions
Join our chats to welcome new members, answer questions and discuss priorities.
🗃️ Action cards
Update your 'Action card' to record the actions you are taking to support people forced to flee.
✍️ Young Champions logo
Contact [email protected] to use the logo in your events and communications.
🏢 UNHCR offices
We connect you to local UNHCR offices to invite speakers, support campaigns, share ideas, etc.
📱 Featured content
Your accomplishments may be featured on UNHCR’s websites and social media channels.
🏅 Certificate and badges
We recognize outstanding contributions through badges and certificates.
💻 Training and brainstorming sessions
You will be invited to attend training on various aspects of our work with displaced and stateless people as well as brainstorming sessions to share your ideas.
❤️ UNHCR support
Contact us anytime at: [email protected]
Toolkits to help you get started
Stand up, speak out, and extend a hand to your refugee schoolmates
Roll up your sleeves and volunteer to help refugees and asylum-seekers
Gather people to learn about the experiences of those forced to flee
Stand up, speak out, and advocate for scholarships for refugees
Rally your friends, family and classmates to raise money for people forced to flee
Other ways to get involved
Sign up and stay informed
Subscribe to the UNHCR newsletter and join a global community that cares for the protection and well-being of refugees, internally displaced and stateless people.