The Citi Foundation has announced the recipients of its 2025 Global Innovation Challenge, which will provide grants totaling $25 million in support of efforts to pilot or scale innovative employment solutions for low-income youth. 

Grants of $500,000 each over two years were awarded to 50 community organizations around the world in support of a variety of programs, including skills training for digital literacy (including AI), technical and vocational training, work-based learning, career guidance and resources for entrepreneurs and mentorship. Recipients include Education For Employment, which is providing AI-enabled job matching support and training across Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates to help youth navigate the digital economy; Junior Achievement Romania, which assists low-income youth in Romania, Ireland, Portugal, and Hungary in building skills for the retail sector; Singapore-based TOUCH Community Services Limited, which provides mentorship and employability skills training for low-income youth; and Year Up United, which aims to equip young adults across the United States with workforce readiness training and specialized skills development. 

“As young people today continue to navigate significant barriers to employment, empowering this next generation with relevant skills and meaningful opportunities is critical,” said Citi head of enterprise services and public affairs Edward Skyler. “Citi and the Citi Foundation have an established track record of investing in our youth to help them access job opportunities and unlock economic growth more broadly.”

(Photo credit: Getty Images/izusek)

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