Dedicated to supporting young leaders who embody Kofi Annan’s vision. With your contribution, we can empower more young leaders and create a lasting network of changemakers driving positive global change.
About the Fund
Half the world’s population is under 30, and young people are uniquely positioned to drive societal change. With their energy, creativity, and idealism, they offer innovative solutions, bridge divides, and challenge injustice. Yet, despite their potential, young leaders often struggle to access the funding and support they need to make a lasting impact.
We must support their efforts, highlight their innovations, and help them access resources and influence policy.
This is why we aim to establish a fund to support young leaders embodying Kofi Annan’s vision.
“The Kofi Annan Foundation didn’t just provide momentary support – they created foundational skills, networks, and credibility that continue to generate opportunities.”
Abdul Gafaru
Kofi Annan Changemaker
Be Part of It
By contributing to the Kofi Annan Youth Fund, you:
- Support high-impact, youth-led initiatives driving change globally.
- Fund proven programmes with a track record of success.
- Join a global movement empowering young leaders.
- Receive Tax Benefits based on the Kofi Annan Foundation’s status as a public utility foundation in Switzerland.
- Receive exclusive invitations to meet young changemakers.
Our Target for 2025
We aim to reach our target of CHF 130,000 (€140,000) by the end of 2025. The fund will be split equally between seed grants for young changemakers, strengthening youth programmes, and targeted support for exceptional young leaders.
2025 Target: CHF 130,000 (€140,000)
Management: Entirely managed by the Kofi Annan Foundation, ensuring direct impact. 8% of funds support the Foundation’s fundraising and administrative costs.
“Kofi Annan is not the past, he is the future.”
Hajer Sharief
Extremely Together Leader
Publications + Media
First published in
Multilateralism, Democracy and Security
Strengthening Democratic Resilience in a Changing European and Transatlantic Security Landscape The Kofi Annan Foundation, the Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy | Geneva Graduate Institute, International IDEA and the European Endowment for Democracy (EED) will host a high-level Policy Dialogue in Brussels on 20 June. Learn more about our 20 June event in Brussels in […]
First published in
Annual Report 2024
Kofi Annan once noted, “Whatever our differences, in our interdependent world, we stand or fall together.” His words ring even truer today, as we grapple with escalating conflicts, deepening inequalities and a climate crisis that threatens our collective future. Our interconnectedness means that the adversities faced by one community reverberate across the globe, impacting us […]
First published in
Podcast | Reimaging Global Governance for Food Security
Amir Abdulla, a member of the Kofi Annan Commission on Food Security, joins The Next Page Pod to examine the complex issue of global food security and the need for a revamped governance system. Despite having enough food produced worldwide to feed everyone, millions still suffer from hunger due to systemic failures. This podcast episode […]
First published in
Podcast | Reimaging Global Governance for Food Security
Amir Abdulla, a member of the Kofi Annan Commission on Food Security, joins The Next Page Pod to examine the complex issue of global food security and the need for a revamped governance system. Despite having enough food produced worldwide to feed everyone, millions still suffer from hunger due to systemic failures. This podcast episode […]
First published in
Democracy in Africa: Then & Now | Kofi Time with Mohamed Ibn Chambas | Episode 9
In episode 9, podcast host Ahmad Fawzi welcomes special guest Mohamed Ibn Chambas. Together, they explore trends, challenges, and opportunities for democracy in Africa. What are noteworthy examples of democratic governance on the continent? How can we restore trust in democracy, as the system best able to ensure that the voices of the people are […]
First published in
Human Rights: Then & Now | Kofi Time with Zeid Raad Al Hussein | Episode 6
In episode 6 of Kofi Time, our special guest is Zeid Raad Al Hussein. Zeid discusses his friendship with Kofi Annan and how they worked together to protect human dignity and promote human rights. Through the creation of the Human Rights Council and the International Criminal Court, Kofi Annan played a critical role in establishing […]
First published in
Statement on the Crisis in the Eastern DRC
French traduction below / Traduction française ci-dessous The Kofi Annan Foundation calls on all the protagonists of the escalating crisis in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to bring the fighting in and around Goma to an immediate end, and to seek a lasting solution to the protracted conflict that has affected the region for […]
First published in
Back to the future?
The following is a transcript of the speech given by Corinne Momal-Vanian at the 16TH EISA ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM in Nairobi, 11 December 2024. Navigating political transitions in Africa It is an honour to be asked to deliver this opening speech on behalf of the Kofi Annan Foundation. For most of my career, the term “transition” […]
First published in
A Message to the European Commission from the European Democracy Support Community
Topic: EPD Community Author: European Partnership for Democracy December 2024 As the new College of Commissioners of the European Commission takes office today, EPD and its membership would wish them all the best for the challenging five years ahead. Democracy faces an array of grave challenges, globally as well as within the EU’s own borders. 2024 has been […]
First published in
Multilateralism, Democracy and Security
Strengthening Democratic Resilience in a Changing European and Transatlantic Security Landscape The Kofi Annan Foundation, the Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy | Geneva Graduate Institute, International IDEA and the European Endowment for Democracy (EED) will host a high-level Policy Dialogue in Brussels on 20 June. Learn more about our 20 June event in Brussels in […]
First published in
Annual Report 2024
Kofi Annan once noted, “Whatever our differences, in our interdependent world, we stand or fall together.” His words ring even truer today, as we grapple with escalating conflicts, deepening inequalities and a climate crisis that threatens our collective future. Our interconnectedness means that the adversities faced by one community reverberate across the globe, impacting us […]
First published in
Multilateralism, Democracy and Human Rights
How can we strengthen democratic resilience around the world by leveraging engagement with UN human rights mechanisms? The Kofi Annan Foundation, the Permanent Mission of Costa Rica, the Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy | Geneva Graduate Institute, and the Permanent Mission of Switzerland hosted a high-level Policy Dialogue at the Palais des Nations on 14 […]
First published in
Supporting Elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is expected to hold elections in December this year – a vote many see as pivotal for the country’s future. It follows a series of troubled elections which raised questions about the integrity of electoral processes and highlighted the need for various reforms. “The Catholic and Protestant churches […]
First published in
OpEd | Addressing the Information Disorder: Building and Sustaining Collaboration
In an series of articles for The Elephant, Kofi Annan Foundation consultant Abdulmalik Sugow discusses the place of multistakeholder collaboration in addressing the information disorder. Specifically, its importance and how to bring collectives together. In a prior article, Abdulmalik Sugow, lawyer, legal researcher and consultant for the Kofi Annan Foundation, discussed the need to address […]
First published in
OpEd | The Information Disorder Calls for Multidisciplinary Collaboration
The responses to the information disorder adopted in Kenya have been largely ineffective. Multidisciplinary stakeholders working collaboratively stand a higher chance of success and will result in a more informed audience that is less susceptible to mis- and disinformation. In an article for The Elephant, Kofi Annan Foundation Consultant Abdulmalik Sugow argues that the current […]
First published in
Kofi Annan Foundation Announces Three New Board Members
The Kofi Annan Foundation is delighted to announce the appointment of Kojo Annan, John Nagulendran and Neha Sanghrajka to the Board of the Kofi Annan Foundation in 2025. Kojo Annan is an entrepreneur and investor with an extensive global network and strong track record of growing new businesses across international markets. “It is a great […]
First published in
Dr Peter Piot joins the Board of the Kofi Annan Foundation
The Kofi Annan Foundation is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Peter Piot to the Board of the Kofi Annan Foundation. Dr Piot is a Belgian physician and microbiologist, Special Advisor on global health security to the President of the European Commission, Founding Executive Director of UNAIDS, former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, and […]
First published in
The Kofi Annan Foundation and The Rockefeller Foundation Announce New Commission to Transform Global Food Security Governance
Amid overlapping climate and food crises, the Kofi Annan Commission on Food Security will review and reimagine current systems to reach zero hunger. GENEVA / NEW YORK | 11 December 2023 – As the world faces an unprecedented food and nutrition crisis, the Kofi Annan Foundation, with the support of The Rockefeller Foundation, announces today […]