Asia

Asia is home to the world’s largest youth population: at once a challenge and an opportunity. Together with our partners, we’re leveraging the power of young people to change the world. Children and youth who have multiple risk factors – belonging to an ethnic minority, living in a slum, on the streets, or in a rural area – are the least likely to have access to basic services like education and healthcare. Girls are especially at risk: nearly half of all girls in the region marry before age 18, and gender-based violence is deeply entrenched in tradition and culture. These challenges are exacerbated by the growing population of underserved and disengaged youth.

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Regional focus

Our local partners are working across sectors and developing new alliances to deliver powerful results and achieve important milestones in their fields. Rather than seeing children as passive recipients of their services, our partners engage them as leaders and active citizens who can take charge of their own futures.

The young people of Asia – and the community organizations that support them – represent an enormous opportunity for social change. Your support helps thousands of children and youth reach their potential and build a stronger, more equal society.

Read more about our work in the region in the 2024 GFC in Asia Overview, and learn more about our current initiatives below:

The Spark Fund

The Spark Fund

Armenia, Bangladesh, Colombia, Georgia, India, Lesotho, Mexico, Moldova, Namibia, Pakistan, Peru, Ukraine, Zimbabwe

Asia in numbers

6 countries which include Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand
62 local partners who are protecting girls and young women; providing education to children living in poverty; creating employment pathways for youth and building youth leadership; and serving children with unique needs such as children with disabilities and refugees.

Voices & stories from Asia

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Strong partnerships power our work

Partners really appreciate how flexible funding allows them to be dynamic and creative and adapt based on learnings. This was especially true during the pandemic, where some funders decided that they weren’t going to fund certain things. GFC’s funding allowed partners to focus on the things that were most needed in their communities, even if it wasn’t part of their original budget.

Kulsoom Khan, Senior Regional Co-Director for Asia

We believe that involving young people in our initiatives and providing them with training and job opportunities not only enriches their lives but also strengthens our ties to the community, ensuring our work remains relevant and responsive to current needs.

Sandip Majhi, Data Manager, Suchana, India

Young boy poking head. behind classroom wall.

Your support drives real change

Innovative community-based organizations turn small amounts of money into, lasting impact. Your donation will support our partners working at the hearts of local communities to create a safer, more just future for children and young people.

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