Fondation Botnar

We had the pleasure of welcoming our u’GOOD partners from the The National Research Foundation of South Africa (NRF) and the HSRC (Human Sciences Research Council) to our office in Basel! ?? The u’GOOD programme is a five-year research initiative focused on understanding and enhancing the wellbeing of young people in the Global South through a relational approach. Over three days of insightful discussions, we explored key themes, including livelihoods, mental health, digitalisation, and climate change, and deepened our collaboration to ensure that youth perspectives remain at the heart of this work and that the learnings that will emerge will be useful to the wider community. A huge thank you to our partners for their valuable contributions and ongoing commitment to this crucial research. We’re excited about the road ahead! ?? Dr Dorothy Ngila zodwa masinga Sharlene Swartz Angelique Wildschut Aline Cossy-Gantner #YouthWellbeing

? Reflecting on some incredible milestones from Our Year 2024! From youth-led innovation to addressing mental health, we’ve seen the power of collaboration and young voices driving change in communities worldwide. These moments are a testament to our partners who are shaping a brighter future for and with young people. ?? Catch up on these highlights in #OurYear2024 ??https://lnkd.in/ems7dHTG Amnesty International Being Initiative TangaYetu dLab Tanzania Fundación Corona STAR-Ghana Foundation FIX Cluj FARO INNOVEX AIP Foundation Ghana Science & Tech Explorer Prize Safetipin BASAibu (BASAbali)

?? Young people are driving change for safer, more accountable digital spaces! Through #RIGHTSClick, a partnership with Amnesty International, youth activists are working to hold governments and tech companies accountable on digital rights. By leading research, advocacy, and campaigns like #FixTikTok, they are pushing for stronger protections, transparency, and an end to harmful online practices. With more young people joining the effort, they are making their voices heard and advocating for a digital future that respects young people’s rights. ?? Learn more in Our Year 2024: https://lnkd.in/ems7dHTG

?? Have you explored #OurYear2024 yet? In 2024, we took a major step forward by refining our Pathways to Young People’s Wellbeing strategy, sharpening our focus on creating the conditions that enable young people’s wellbeing, particularly in urban and digital spaces With our new Strategic Learning & Evaluation (SLE) approach, we’re strengthening how we measure impact and develop our portfolio. By collaborating with partners and continuously learning, we ensure our initiatives stay responsive, evidence-driven, and effective in maximising impact on young people’s wellbeing. ?? Discover our journey, key milestones, and how we’re working towards meaningful change. ?? Read the full report: https://lnkd.in/ems7dHTG #OurYear2024 #YouthWellbeing #SustainableCities #DigitalTransformation #MentalHealth #PublicEducation

We're excited to participate at the #TurningTheTide International Association for Youth Mental Health (IAYMH) Conference in Vancouver next week, March 19–21, 2025! Grand Challenges Canada (GCC), as host of Being is proud to be a conference sponsor. ?? Here's what our GCC team, partners, and GCC-funded innovators will be up to next week: ? Symposium on Day 1: Shifting power for mental health system transformation: chaired by Sireesha J. Bobbili with panellists Jimmy Martin D., Alejandra Espinoza De Los Monteros Andrade, Amirah Wahdi, Prayoga Aditama, Laura Ospina Pinillos MD PhD, Débora Shambo Rodríguez and Erica Zissis. ? Poster Sessions from Being Youth Advisors: Muskan Lamba will discuss climate change and its mental health impact on youth in India on Day 1. Jaclyn Schess will share insights on youth mental health challenges on university campuses on Day 2. ? Orygen's Day 2 Symposium: Orygen will highlight insights on scaling up youth mental health services and how innovation can create sizable change across the globe. They'll also share learnings from Orygen's partnership with Being's Learning and Support Network. ?There will be insightful sessions from GCC-funded innovators like Sangath India, Sense International India, Waves for Change, StrongMinds, Rwanda Youth Voice for Change, and Reinserta! ??Several members of the Being-GCC team will be there: Brittney Dudar, Sireesha J. Bobbili, Natasha Comeau, Erica Zissis, Menna Zahra, Deb Aguillon. Feel free to connect with us throughout the conference! ?? Learn more about our activities at the IAYMH conference next week here: https://lnkd.in/eDP6W739 #IAYMHVancouver Jack.org Fondation Botnar United for Global Mental Health Global Affairs Canada | Affaires mondiales Canada NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research) Science for Africa Foundation

“Mental health is a global problem. Everyone needs to be involved because it's so deeply rooted in the structure that we live in today.” – Oriana Ortiz Parrao, Being Youth Advisor Mental health must become a global priority for young people to truly thirve. The Being Initiative is working with young people, communities, and partners in 12 countries to create the conditions for better mental health—grounded in local realities and guided by evidence. In 2024, Being Initiative turned research into action - from publishing a landmark report on young people's mental health to harnessing these insights to launch funding initiatives for innovative solutions. ?? Read more in #OurYear2024: https://lnkd.in/ems7dHTG Grand Challenges Canada United for Global Mental Health Global Affairs Canada | Affaires mondiales Canada NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research) Science for Africa Foundation Orygen

Through #OurCity, young people are leading change by co-creating solutions that make cities more inclusive and responsive to their needs; working with local governments, civil society, and city leaders to turn ideas into action. From STEM innovation in Tanzania to youth-led governance in Romania, civic engagement in Ghana, and urban transformation in Ecuador and Colombia, young people are shaping policies, strengthening governance, and driving real change in their communities. ?? Our Year 2024 showcases how youth leadership is shaping urban spaces and ensuring young voices shape the cities they call home. ?? Explore the impact in our latest report: https://lnkd.in/ems7dHTG TangaYetu dLab Tanzania Fundación Corona STAR-Ghana Foundation FIX Cluj FARO INNOVEX #OurYear2024

Youth-led initiatives around the world are driving meaningful change. From revolutionising road safety in Vietnam with AI&Me to promoting civic engagement in Indonesia with BASAibu, young people are shaping their communities. These projects are not just about solutions, they are about creating lasting change. #OurYear2024 highlights these powerful stories and shows us how the collaboration between young people and partners is driving progress in education, health, and economic opportunity. Read the full report to explore the progress we've made and the collective efforts driving change. https://lnkd.in/ems7dHTG AIP Foundation Ghana Science & Tech Explorer Prize Safetipin BASAibu (BASAbali) #OurYear2024

?? Welcoming Professor Urs Gasser to the Fondation Botnar Board! We’re pleased to announce that Urs Gasser has joined the Fondation Botnar Board, effective 1 March 2025. A leading expert on AI and digital governance, Professor Gasser is the Rector of the Munich School of Politics and Public Policy and Dean at the Technical University of Munich. He advises global organisations such as OECD and UNICEF and contributes to key policy discussions on AI and digital rights. We look forward to working with Prof. Gasser and to together foster safe digital spaces where young people can thrive. https://lnkd.in/e3qf-5hT

??? #OurYear2024 is here! 2024 was a year of refined strategic focus, progress, and partnership—driving meaningful change with and for young people. With our partners and young changemakers, we continue to build a world that protects young people’s rights and supports their wellbeing. As urban and digital challenges grow, we remain committed to collaborating for sustainable, inclusive solutions. Explore key insights on youth wellbeing - together, we’re shaping a brighter tomorrow. Read the full report now ?? https://lnkd.in/ems7dHTG