The Citi Foundation Future of Work Challenge winners and finalists are announced! See the Results
Design a solution that empowers or prepares young people with the tools for the future of work.
SDG 8 focuses on promoting sustainable economic growth by ensuring productive employment and decent work for all. A key component of this challenge is thinking about how young people, like you, are preparing for a future job market that will look very different. Around the globe, the World Bank estimates that close to 18% of the world's youth in the labor force are unemployed. To make meaningful progress on SDG 8, solutions from young people, like you, are necessary to empower young people to adapt to changing job market conditions.
What does the future of work look like?
Simply stated, the future of work is a projection of how jobs, workers, and the modern workplace will grow and evolve in the years to come. Will work-from-home replace the traditional office? How will emerging virtual reality technologies transform the workplace? What skills are necessary to prepare for this transition? How has the Covid-19 pandemic changed how young people can work?
Consider what the world will look like in 5, 10, or even 20 years from now.
Finally, think about what current problems exist in the labor market for youth, that you can develop solutions for.
The challenge is to consider an innovative solution that empowers young people, like you, to adapt and be well-equipped to succeed in the future workplace.
Not sure how to dig in? Consider some of these examples of how these ideas are laying the foundation to future workforce development.
- Seatti, a German startup that developed a flexible workspace software platform to help those in hybrid or remote roles by having employees plan their remote working locations.
- Headroom, an AI-powered conferencing platform designed to make meetings more efficient.
- Finding Your Way in PA, a Pennsylvania-based mobile and desktop app developed by the Center for Schools and Communities to help connect students and families experiencing homelessness with local services and resources.
- ARound, an augmented reality live sports app that allows baseball fans to play with others, see live stats, and see the action at the ballpark.
Citi Foundation
The Citi Foundation works to promote economic progress and improve the lives of people in low-income communities around the world. We invest in efforts that increase financial inclusion, catalyze job opportunities for youth, and reimagine approaches to building economically vibrant communities. The Citi Foundation's "More than Philanthropy" approach leverages the enormous expertise of Citi and its people to fulfill our mission and drive thought leadership and innovation. For more information, visit www.citifoundation.com.
"The Citi Foundation is committed to supporting efforts that help boost the employability of underserved young people around the world through leadership and skills training, experiential learning, and access to professional networks,” said Brandee McHale, Head of Citi Community Investing and Development and President of the Citi Foundation. “It’s a privilege to continue our support for NFTE and the World Series of Innovation in its work of nurturing the next generation of diverse entrepreneurs by giving them the opportunity to unlock their potential through challenges that positively impact their communities around the globe.”
Brandee McHale / Head of Community Investing and Development at Citi and President of the Citi Foundation
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14 Life below waterMary Kay Global Oceans Conservation Challenge
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Promote, educate, or increase access to financial literacy in your community.
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Use maps and satellite imagery that helps communities understand and adapt to the impact of climate change.
3 Good health and wellbeingMetLife Foundation Good Health and Well-Being Challenge
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Promote equitable access to physical and/or mental wellbeing in your community
7 Affordable and clean energyServiceNow Carbon Killer Challenge
