IMPACT GLOBAL

Youth Innovators Program

I.M.P.A.C.T. = Imagine, Mobilize, Prototype, Act, Collaborate, Transform

The IMPACT Global Youth Innovators Program at Global Literacies Network empowers high school and secondary students to drive sustainable change in their communities and beyond. This rigorous, year-long fellowship challenges participants to select a UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) and immerse themselves in hands-on, impactful projects.

In the first semester, fellows build a strong foundation in global literacy, mastering cross-cultural communication, exploring identity and socialization, and analyzing their local communities through the lens of equity and social justice. In the second semester, each student is matched with a virtual Global Mentor who guides them as they design actionable solutions—either business or nonprofit proposals—to real-world local or global challenges. Students showcase their work and connect with their mentors in person at the annual GLN Impact Gala.

Throughout the program, participants document their journeys and collaborate with mentors on the GLN Impact App, ensuring continuous reflection, accountability, and measurable progress every step of the way.

IMPACT Foundational Core (Knowledge & Dispositions) →

Community Issue of IMPACT →

Global Skills Development →

Global Mentor Pairing →

Fieldwork & Experiential Engagement →

Analysis & Action Plan →

Implementation Reflections & Graduation.

IMPACT Foundational Core (Knowledge & Dispositions) → Community Issue of IMPACT → Global Skills Development → Global Mentor Pairing → Fieldwork & Experiential Engagement → Analysis & Action Plan → Implementation Reflections & Graduation.

  • IMPACT Foundational Core (Knowledge & Dispositions): Students cultivate the knowledge, mindsets, and dispositions needed for global literacy by mastering cross-cultural communication, exploring identity and socialization, and examining equity and social justice.

  • Community Issue of IMPACT: Fellows choose and deeply research a pressing local or global community challenge aligned with a selected UN Sustainable Development Goal to understand its root causes and stakeholder dynamics.  

  • Global Skills Development: Participants hone collaborative problem-solving, design thinking, leadership, and digital communication skills to prepare for effective solution design and implementation.  

  • Global Mentor Pairing: Each student is matched virtually with a seasoned Global Mentor who provides personalized guidance, industry insights, and constructive feedback on project development. 

  • Fieldwork & Experiential Engagement: Fellows conduct hands-on fieldwork—locally or virtually—to gather data, test assumptions, build partnerships, and gain real-world insights into their chosen issue.  

  • Analysis & Action Plan: Drawing on fieldwork findings and mentor input, students analyze data, identify leverage points, and craft an actionable business or nonprofit proposal to drive sustainable impact.  

  • Implementation Reflections & Graduation: Throughout implementation, participants document progress and reflections on the GLN Impact App, iterate on their strategies, and showcase their outcomes at the annual GLN Impact Gala to mark their graduation.