The International Youth Federation (IYF) is a youth-led, globally networked organisation dedicated to empowering young people worldwide. Founded in 2016, IYF has grown into a movement of more than 180 accredited organisations operating across over 90 countries, working alongside governments, institutions, civil society, and the private sector to advance youth leadership, skills development, and participation in policy and governance.

IYF is constituted as an international association under the Swiss Civil Code (Articles 60 et seq.), with its official seat in the Canton of Geneva, Switzerland. This institutional home in Geneva anchors nearly a decade of global youth engagement and reflects IYF's long-standing intention to operate as a trusted, internationally recognised partner in youth development. IYF is a non-profit, politically neutral, and non-denominational organisation, and does not pursue commercial objectives.

IYF exists to empower young people worldwide. We do this by advancing youth leadership, representation, and meaningful engagement across community, national, regional, and global platforms; by accelerating youth empowerment through innovation, digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and future-ready skills; and by strengthening youth participation in policy and governance, channelling young people's perspectives directly to decision-makers. We support governments, institutions, and communities in designing and implementing youth-responsive systems, and we work to raise awareness of youth issues and recognition of youth achievements around the world.

IYF operates through a dual mandate: empowering young people directly, and strengthening the ecosystems and institutions around them. Our Global Strategy 2026–2030 is built around three strategic objectives. First, advancing youth engagement and leadership, by strengthening young people's leadership capabilities and expanding their representation across community, national, regional, and global platforms. Second, accelerating youth empowerment through innovation and skills development, equipping young people with digital literacy, entrepreneurial capabilities, and future-ready skills that enhance employability and resilience. Third, strengthening youth participation in policy and governance, embedding structured, sustained youth participation within public institutions and national policy frameworks, while building governments' capacity to design youth-responsive systems.

These priorities come to life through a scalable programme ecosystem. Our flagship Young Leadership Development Programme (YLDP) equips young people with the skills, confidence, and values to lead meaningfully in their communities. Our Strategic Solutions for Governments (SSG) framework positions IYF as a technical partner to governments, supporting policy development, institutional capacity-building, and youth participation mechanisms at a systems level. Together, these programmes let IYF work across skills development, governance and policy action, climate action, and digital transformation — ensuring youth voices help shape national agendas.

IYF is built on a youth-led governance model that places young people at the centre of decision-making, not on its periphery. The organisation is governed by three principal bodies: the General Assembly, its supreme legislative body; the Executive Board, which holds ultimate accountability for strategy, finances, legal compliance, and reputation, and whose members serve in a personal capacity, independent of any governmental or institutional mandate; and the Executive Office, the administrative and management body led by the Secretary-General.

This governance structure is reinforced by a Representatives Network and regional administrations, keeping our programmes and advocacy grounded in the lived realities of young people across diverse contexts. IYF's Statutes embed formal safeguards, including a mandatory Safeguarding Policy to protect young people and vulnerable persons, Conflicts of Interest provisions, and an independent Whistleblowing channel — reflecting our commitment to accountability, transparency, and trust.

With a network spanning more than 180 accredited organisations in over 90 countries, and a maturing regional architecture supported by country representatives and regional directors, IYF is uniquely positioned to help countries design and implement youth-responsive systems at scale. We serve as a global convener, technical partner, and advocate — connecting young people with governments and institutional partners to advance youth-responsive development worldwide.

Investing in youth is not only a moral responsibility — it is a strategic necessity for building peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable societies. Whether you are a young leader, an institution, a government, or a partner organisation, we invite you to join IYF in advancing this mission.