Current Projects

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Policy Research Challenge (PRC) and Young Advocacy Guide Challenge (YAG)

The Policy Research Challenge (PRC) 2026 is a flagship initiative introduced by UNICEF, UNDP, and UNFPA under the Generation Unlimited framework and implemented by the School of Leadership Foundation. The programme incorporates the Youth Advocacy Guide (YAG) training as a core component, providing participants with a comprehensive skill-building experience across both research and advocacy.

This year, the PRC is proud to partner with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) as its thematic partner, bringing institutional expertise and national relevance to the programme. The Higher Education Commission (HEC) is supporting the initiative through educational institutional partnerships with GYM Clubs. With a focus on empowering young people in Pakistan as active partners in innovation and development, the PRC strengthens research skills and fosters meaningful youth participation to drive sustainable impact well beyond 2030. This year’s theme, Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), reflects one of Pakistan’s most urgent and cross-cutting development challenges. Disasters do not occur in isolation; they disrupt progress across critical sectors including education, health, nutrition, and climate resilience, often reversing years of hard-won development gains

By centring DRR as the PRC 2026 theme, the programme positions young people at the intersection of Pakistan’s most pressing challenges. This equips them to generate locally grounded evidence, draw on their lived experiences, and translate insights into actionable policy recommendations that meaningfully contribute to building a more resilient Pakistan.

Policy Research Challenge 2024 - 2025

Under the umbrella of Generation Unlimited, the Policy Research Challenge platform has emerged, bringing together UN agencies—UNICEF, UNFPA, UNDP—and the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP) in a synergistic collaboration with the School of Leadership Foundation (SoLF). This coalition introduced the Policy Research Challenge (PRC) in 2023, marking a significant stride in involving young people at the policy level. Through the PRC, young people are given a platform to have their voices heard in policy decisions, ensuring their unique needs are considered during important developmental stages.
The latest edition of Policy Research Challenge 2024-25 catalyzes youth and adolescent-driven transformation. Research is integral for evidence-based policy formulation. By offering a platform to address challenges, advocate for innovative solutions, enhance research skills, engage with communities, and foster a sense of empowerment, the PRC empowers young individuals to actively contribute to shaping a more equitable, resilient, and promising future for society as a whole. The second phase of the PRC seeks to not only critically evaluate the policies for quality and equitable education but also to proactively contribute to making them inclusive for young people by identifying gaps, optimizing institutional arrangements, bolstering capacities, and mobilizing support from diverse stakeholders, including the private sector.

Key Themes

  1. Technology Integration and STEAM education
  2. Pedagogical Trainings and Practices
  3. Career Guidance, Entrepreneurship and Development Readiness
  4. Gender Disparity, Inclusivity, and Life Skill-Based Education
  5. Accessible and Quality Education
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