A $20M push to power girls into energy
At CSW 70 we made the case for phase one of Girls in Energy across the Global South.
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Building the youths for sustainable development.
Since 2005, we have used education, media and technology to help young people find their voice and carry it all the way to the United Nations.
Accredited and connected across the multilateral system
In good company.
- Alliance of Social Transformers for Sustainable Development
- Alliance of Social Transformers for Sustainable Development
Measurable change, since 2005
Proven impact by numbers.
We use formal and informal education — through communications, media and technology — to help young people find their voice and see it amplified.
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201,347+
Students impacted
Through leadership seminars, school campaigns and Read to Build sessions across Nigeria and beyond.
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19,437+
Girls impacted
Via Girls Are Asset, Girls in Energy and Women & Girls in Science programmes.
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976
SDG resource centre users
Young people served by the SDGs Leadership Resource Centre.
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108
Leadership trainings
Seminars, labs and trainings for students, teachers and school principals.
From classrooms to the UN floor — here’s how we work
How we create change.
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Lead through education
Leadership seminars, career sessions and mentoring that build confident, informed young leaders.
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Girls are assets
Closing the gender gap — from girls’ rights advocacy to careers in energy and space.
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Build livelihoods
Entrepreneurship, vocational skills and start-up support that turn ideas into income.
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Innovate for the SDGs
STEAM, tech hubs and the blue & green economy — localising every goal for people and planet.
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$20M
Intervention fund pursued at CSW 70 for phase one
Flagship · 2025 / 2026
She powers the planet
Girls in Energy, at the frontline.
The global transition to net zero is not merely a technical challenge — it is a matter of equity. Girls in Energy moves young women from the periphery of the energy sector to the frontline of science, technology and innovation.
Through conferences, competitions, career mentorship and camps, we’re building the Girls in Energy Village — including a 10MW distributed renewable mini-grid hub designed and run by girls and women.
- Ages
- 5 to 55 (competition)
- Format
- Conference · Competition · Career · Camp
- Community hub
- 10MW renewable mini-grid
- Focus
- Global South
Rooted in Nigeria, present where decisions are made
Where we work.
Programmes and offices in Lagos, Abuja and Ibadan — our schools, communities and partners.
UN Headquarters: ECOSOC, HLPF, CSW and UNGA side events; CoNGO Board.
World Bank Group civil society engagement and our international office in White Marsh, MD.
ECOSOC consultative status covers the UN offices in Geneva and Vienna.
Accredited to UNEP / UNEA and engaged with UN-Habitat’s World Urban Campaign.
- Nigeria
Programmes and offices in Lagos, Abuja and Ibadan — our schools, communities and partners.
- New York
UN Headquarters: ECOSOC, HLPF, CSW and UNGA side events; CoNGO Board.
- Washington & Maryland
World Bank Group civil society engagement and our international office in White Marsh, MD.
- Geneva & Vienna
ECOSOC consultative status covers the UN offices in Geneva and Vienna.
- Nairobi
Accredited to UNEP / UNEA and engaged with UN-Habitat’s World Urban Campaign.
News and updates
News from the movement.
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Partnerships Oct 2026
CoNGO approves a Regional Committee in Africa — after more than 75 years
DoTheDream YDI, a CoNGO Board Member, has been entrusted with leading the new Regional Committee in Africa.
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Leadership & Education Mar 2022
The Leadership Library: partnership that works
With the Life Development Center, Chicago — the first leadership library for government schools.
Read story - All news
Why we do the work
In our own words.
The inclusion of Persons with Disabilities is an urgent call to action for member states to recognize and demonstrate care, concern, and compassion as a vital aspect of governance.
DoTheDream YDIEmpowering Persons with Disabilities
Common questions.
Is DoTheDream YDI a registered non-profit?
Yes. DoTheDream Youth Development Initiative is a non-governmental, non-religious organisation, registered in 2012 after working with youth since 2005. It has held Special Consultative Status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) since 2023.
Where does my donation go?
Into programmes in schools and communities: leadership libraries and e-libraries, Read to Build, STEAM hubs, the Girls in Energy and Girls Are Asset projects, school and home farms, and entrepreneurship and vocational training.
Can I give from outside Nigeria?
Yes — by card in USD or Naira, via Zelle or PayPal (accounts@dothedreamydi.org), by US bank transfer, or to our GTBank domiciliary accounts in USD, GBP and EUR. Full details are on the Donate page.
How can my organisation partner with you?
We work with governments, UN agencies, foundations and companies on programmes, side events and research. Institutional partners receive priority access to UN and World Bank convenings we organise. Write to info@dothedreamydi.org.
How do I become a member?
Membership is open to young people and professionals who want to lead local projects, join delegations and access our leadership programmes. See Get Involved for the tiers and benefits.
Our core values spell it out
S·I·N·C·E·R·E, always.
- Sacrifice Giving time and talent so others can rise.
- Innovation New ideas for old problems.
- Network Connecting youth to people who open doors.
- Credibility Transparent, evidence-based impact.
- Empowerment Voices built, then amplified.
- Resilience Showing up for twenty years and counting.
- Excellence The standard in every classroom and every forum.
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Join the movement.
Stories from classrooms and the UN floor, opportunities for young people, and where your support goes.