LOCALLY-LED,
GLOBALLY CONNECTED.
2024 SHIFT REPORT
We love this time of year.
It's when we dust off our telescope and zoom in on all the amazing things young changemakers around the globe have been doing to make our world brighter, fairer, and a lot more inspiring.
Five years ago, we kicked off SHIFT because we noticed young people everywhere stepping up, speaking out, and making waves on issues close to their hearts. We asked ourselves: how could a big organisation like Save the Children step up too and help amplify these changemaker-led movements? Since then, our model has evolved, adapted, and grown, bringing more young voices into the spotlight—and this year’s stories of change show just how powerful that model has become.
This annual report aligns our impact with Save the Children's 2025-2027 Global Strategy, demonstrating how SHIFT isn't just talking about change—we’re making it happen. Amid big shifts in the aid world, including tight budgets and disruption, we're not backing down. Instead, we're doubling our commitment to the young changemakers we stand alongside.
By 2030, we aim to empower over 5,000 young people, sparking more than 390 local movements across 30+ countries. But to achieve that vision, we need you. Whether you're a seasoned activist, a new supporter, or just someone who believes in the power of changemakers, there’s always a seat at our table.
Let’s keep SHIFTing the world, together.
Your SHIFT Global Team
Driving child and youth-led impact across 5 strategic enablers of Save the Children
In 2024, SHIFT powered youth-led action in 19 countries, tackling issues from climate justice to child protection, digital safety, and education. Through advocacy, data, and creative action, young people mobilised millions globally, proving that when power shifts to young people, transformation follows.
Meet our youth groups
🇮🇩 Agent of Change
🇪🇬 Alashmonin Shifters
🇺🇬 BMM
🇸🇻 Calapa Unidos
🇲🇼 Chikande Youth Group
🇲🇼 Chitungu
🇻🇺 Dausake Youth
🇧🇩 Eco Champions
🇧🇹 Global Shapers Thimphu Hub
🇧🇹 Gola Gola
🇲🇼 Gwedeza
🇧🇴 GYBN, JCI Tunari and Partners Campus San Simón
🇳🇪 Hazaka Shifters
🇺🇬 Information Providers
🇲🇱 Jigiya Shifters
🇳🇵Kayapalat
🇪🇹 Keshene Theatre Production
🇻🇳 Mang Non Creators
🇲🇼 Mbvimbo
🇻🇺 Mele Youth Council
🇲🇼 Mgwirizano Youth Group
🇪🇬 Monshaat Al-Maghalqa Shifters
🇲🇼 Mphepozinayi
🇻🇳 Nam Can Shifters
🇺🇬 Nature Power
🇽🇰 Nature's Allies
🇳🇵 Nepalese Youth for Climate Action
🇲🇼 NeSo
🇻🇺 Ntalpuk Ning Epang Faum Association (NNEFA)
🇲🇼 Ntcheu Shifters
🇿🇲 Petauke Shifters
🇳🇵 Queer Care Nepal
🇹🇭 Roar II
🇻🇺 Seaside Climate Ambassadors
🇻🇺 Shefa Red Cross
🇲🇼 Shift Power Organisation
🇨🇴 Somos el Presente
🇮🇩 Sunrise
🇻🇺 The Erakor Bridge Youth
🇮🇩 Unstoppable Generation
🇧🇹 VAST Bhutan
🇺🇬 Voice of the Youth Kakiri
🇺🇬 Young People for Change
🇧🇹 Y-PEER Bhutan
576
SHIFTERS
There were 309 girls, 231 boys, 12 non-binary and 24 not specified.
58,625 CHILDREN JOINED THE CAMPAIGN
That’s like every Shifter influencing 114 other children to care about their issue and act.
79 PARTNERSHIP FORMED
In Kosovo, Shifters secured the Mayor of Prishtina’s public commitment to reform public transport and redesign city spaces.
76 DECISION MAKERS ENGAGED
In Colombia, indigenous youth from La Guajira brought their local water rights campaign to the global stage at COP16.
58 MEDIA AGENCIES INVOLVED
Shifters in Bolivia, Bhutan, Colombia and El Salvador secured coverage from national news outlets, elevating their agenda nationwide
19 COUNTRIES
Bangladesh, Bhutan, Bolivia,Colombia, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Kosovo, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Nepal, Niger, Thailand, Uganda, Vanuatu, Vietnam and Zambia
Read the full report:
If you are a Shifter reading from your phone, keep scrolling!
SHIFT provides a model for Save the Children to uplift local changemaker groups and embed their advocacy and campaigning into our own project work.
6.5 million+ people engaged through advocacy campaigns
6 policies, local laws and government commitments secured
Ending Early & Forced Marriage (Indonesia) used youth-led advocacy and media to reach 10.7K+ viewers, securing commitments from local leaders.
United Against Bullying (El Salvador) engaged 267,000+ people through film, social media, and school-based events, sparking national conversations on child safety.
Kaí Süma Wüin (Colombia) mobilised indigenous youth through music, storytelling, and direct advocacy, amplifying their water crisis at COP16 in Cali and pushing for global climate justice.
Marriage, Yes, but School First! (Mali) influenced parents and religious leaders through traditional theatre, inspiring a pledge from a father to delay his daughter’s marriage.
These efforts mobilise the public, decision-makers, and young people themselves, using distinctive storytelling and advocacy tactics to drive policy change and shift social norms.
Taking local action to the global stage
Generation Hope is Save the Children’s global campaign demanding urgent climate action. Using the SHIFT model, Generation Hope empowered young changemakers in Kosovo, Colombia and Nepal to lead their own climate campaigns.
These local actions reached the global stage through Generation Hope events including representation at COP16!
SHIFT and Generation Hope show that investing in local child and youth-led solutions creates powerful global influencing strategy!
"I never thought my voice could make such a big impact. Now, I know we can shape policies for our future."
— Enea, 15, Nepal
Groups supported by SHIFT increasingly use technology, data, and digital storytelling to drive action.
4.8 million+ people reached through digital storytelling & data advocacy
22 child and youth-led data initiatives using AI, drones, and digital campaigns
My Waste, My Responsibility 3.0 (Malawi) used drones to map waste hotspots, influencing city-wide waste management policies.
Reimagining a Walkable, Sustainable Prishtina (Kosovo) used interactive murals, air quality sensors, and digital engagement to push for public transport reform.
A Healthy Mind (Uganda) leveraged social media and community radio to break the stigma around mental health, reaching 6,022 young people and creating referral networks for youth experiencing anxiety and depression
Youth Empowerment for Online Safety (Thailand) reached 28,000+ young people with cyber-safety training, equipping them to tackle online threats.
These campaigns show how youth-led groups innovate with digital tools to advocate, collect evidence, and influence systemic change.
"For the first time, we had data to show how waste affects our city. The government couldn’t ignore us anymore."
— Nyasha, 18, Malawi
SHIFT is a proven model for locally-led action, ensuring young people are driving solutions and leading influencing efforts in their own communities.
12 Shifter campaigns reached a total of over 58,000 other children. That’s like each group reaching close to 5,000 children!
57 local partnerships with governments, NGOs and businesses
Back to School (Malawi) worked with local chiefs to enforce school attendance, leading to 267 children re-enrolling.
Ending Child Marriage (Zambia) saw youth-led conversations on sexual health help reduce teen pregnancies from 25 to 8 per month.
Preventing Child Labor & Early Marriage Through Theatre (Ethiopia) reached 53,000+ people with performances that led to 43 early marriages being stopped.
Reducing Child Labor through Education (Egypt) engaged business owners and parents to rethink child labor, reintegrating working children into school.
Project Champ (Bhutan) tackled stigma against Children in Conflict with the Law, reaching 27,770+ people and shifting legal literacy efforts.
SHIFT’s bottom-up approach mirrors Save the Children’s ambition to decentralise power, ensuring children and local actors have greater decision-making influence.
"SHIFT isn’t about outsiders telling us what to do. We lead change, and now even our chiefs are backing us."
— Chimwemwe, 20, Malawi
SHIFT’s work demonstrates how locally-led initiatives attract diverse funding sources, including partnerships with governments, businesses, and international donors.
5 SHIFT groups secured additional local funding for long-term sustainability
22 partnerships formed with businesses, governments & donors
Toma Impulso (Bolivia) mobilised $1M+ in media value, engaging 1.7M people through digital campaigns on green entrepreneurship.
Gola-Gola Bhutan (Bhutan) secured an EU grant - owing to the momentum of their SHIFT campaign - to set up clothing donation drop boxes in 10 locations nationwide.
My Waste, My Responsibility 3.0 (Malawi) secured additional funding to scale their drone-mapping exercise to 3 additional markets in the region.
Art for the Future (Bhutan) leveraged art and public exhibitions to secure local partnerships for environmental education in schools.
By demonstrating high impact, SHIFT provides a strong case for decentralised funding and community-led initiatives that align with Save the Children’s localisation agenda.
"We proved that youth-led movements can attract real investment. Sustainability isn’t just an idea—it’s our reality."
— Juan, 24, Bolivia
SHIFT ensures child & youth-led campaigns reflect diverse voices, promoting gender equality, LGBTQI+ inclusion and child protection.
LGBTQ+ inclusion and gender justice embedded in 7 campaigns
10 campaigns promoted social inclusion & child protection
LGBTQ+ Mental Health (Nepal) engaged 42,000+ people through safe spaces and advocacy, helping queer youth access mental health support.
United Against Bullying (El Salvador) used music, film, and public events to address bullying and changing school cultures.
Reimagining a Walkable, Sustainable Prishtina (Kosovo) ensured children’s right to clean air and advocated for inclusive urban spaces for marginalised groups.
Ending Early & Forced Marriage (Indonesia) amplified girls’ voices, ensuring youth-led engagement with policymakers.
Together, these campaigns are not just reaching the margins—they’re centering them, proving that change is most effective when it reflects the full diversity of those it serves.
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Andy Nilsen
Director
andy.nilsen@savethechildren.org
Chrispine Botha
Africa Lead
chrispine.botha@savethechildren.org
Gabby Cadampog
Asia Pacific Lead
gabby.cadampog@savethechildren.org
Brenda Monaca
Latin America and the Carribean Lead
brenda.monaca@savethechildren.org
Rigsar Wangchuk
Shifting Power
rigsar.wangchuk@savethechildren.org
Karen Vinalay
Creative Lead
karen.vinalay@savethechildren.org