About DoTheDream YDI
Building the youths for sustainable development.
A non-governmental, non-religious organisation using formal and informal education as a creative tool to empower young people to promote change in society.
Who we are
Voices built, then amplified.
DoTheDream YDI holds Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in New York, Geneva and Vienna, and is accredited to the UN Environment Programme, the CRPD and the World Bank Group civil society programme.
Since inception we have implemented programmes that raise public awareness of the Millennium — now Sustainable — Development Goals, encouraging their localisation, activation and acceleration for social good.
We work in the social development space with a thematic focus on education and gender equality, with sub-actions in environment, health, energy and climate action.
Vision & mission
What we’re for.
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01
Vision
Building the youths for sustainable development.
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02
Mission
To empower young people using formal and informal education in promoting change in society.
Operational framework
Four pillars, one movement.
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01
Leadership
- Career sessions
- Mentoring
- Soft-skills training
- Read to Build
- Leadership trainings
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02
Gender
- Girls Are Asset
- Girls in Space
- Girls in Energy
- Women’s Role in Africa of Our Dream
- 16 Days of Activism
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03
Entrepreneurship
- Entrepreneurship training
- Technical & vocational skills
- Mentoring, apprenticeships & internships
- Business plans & registration
- Start-up grants & growth support
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04
Innovation
- STEAM
- Tech hubs
- Blue & green economy
- Ideation
Aims & objectives
What we set out to do.
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01
Raise SDG awareness
Raise public awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals and encourage their implementation throughout society.
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02
Spark enterprise
Encourage innovative thinking and business ventures among young people.
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03
Lay a foundation
Establish a foundation on which today’s young people become the driving force behind social transformation.
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04
Open a forum
Educate on ICT, environment, health, HIV, governance, girls’ education and climate change.
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05
Guide careers
Guide young people toward productive careers.
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06
A library in every school
Establish a Leadership Library in every government school across the Federation and Africa.
Milestones
Twenty years of doing.
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2005
The dream starts
DoTheDream begins working with teenagers and youths on leadership and value reorientation.
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2008
A board forms
The founding board comes together, years before formal registration.
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2012
Registered
DoTheDream Youth Development Initiative is formally registered.
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2022
First Leadership Library
With the Life Development Center, Chicago, the first leadership library for government schools opens at Ayedeere Ajibola Senior Grammar School.
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2023
ECOSOC status
Granted Special Consultative Status with the UN Economic and Social Council.
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2025
Girls in Energy launches
The Girls in Energy Project opens with an international career session.
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2026
Leading for Africa
CSW 70 and HLPF side events, an official UNGA 81 event, and leadership of CoNGO’s new Regional Committee in Africa.
Core values
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.
Every contribution counts
Help a young person do the dream.
Your support builds libraries, trains leaders and powers girls into energy careers.