Youth IGF – Youth Internet Governance Movement

The Youth IGF (www.youthigf.com) is an officially recognised United Nations Internet Governance Forum structure.

The Youth IGF is a capacity development initiative of international scope. It’s a global movement that operates as a multi- stakeholder network. It allows the younger generation (in the 18-35 age group) to discuss and take a lead in issues related to internet governance in the format of local, national or regional activities. The Youth IGF represents the voice of young citizens on digital issues. It centres its activities on three main pillars: awareness raising, participation & literacy, and governance & policy.

In 2023, the Youth IGF community was formed of more than 35 countries and constitutes a community of more than 20,000 people. The Youth IGF is able to target more than 50,000 people around the world.

The Youth IGF has inspired youth activism on internet governance all over the world, leading to the creation of several Youth IGF Chapters across the globe. Youth IGF Ambassadors have become recognised digital policy leaders in a number of countries.

Context

The Youth IGF movement was conceived during the First French Youth and Teenagers IGF, which took place in France in 2011 at the Council of Europe. It is an initiative developed by TaC-Together against Cybercrime International in cooperation with the Council of Europe, the Ministry of Education of France, French Youth and its partners.

The movement is administered by an international NGO, TaC-Together against Cybercrime International. Youth IGF centres its activities on the organisation of annual events, debates, and talks, as well as training, capacity building and awareness-raising sessions on subjects related to internet governance. A number of countries are implementing targeted projects either locally or nationally.