Major Group for Children and Youth

What Major Group for Children and Youth does

The Major Group for Children and Youth (MGCY, legally the United Nations Major Group for Children and Youth) is the UN General Assembly-mandated, self-organised coordination mechanism for children and youth (under 30) to participate in intergovernmental policy processes, established in 1992 and operating from New York under the UN system framework. It coordinates 37 formal constituencies — 31 substantive constituencies spanning the three UN pillars (human rights, sustainable development, and peace and security) and six regional constituencies covering Asia Pacific, Western Asia, Africa, Europe and North America, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Small Island Developing States — with 65 elected organisations and 86 coordination team members (71% from low- and middle-income countries, 67% women). Its substantive products include the annual ECOSOC Youth Forum, HLPF side-events, thematic working groups (DRR, Migration, SDG7), Youth Blast capacity-building sessions, six entity platforms (IAGYO, GNNYP, NRYO, PEAYN, PYMGO, GCIYO), the Global Caucus for Youth in Faith, and publications such as the FfD-4 Youth Handbook and the Meaningful Youth Engagement Framework.

MGCY is not a technology product and operates no proprietary platform; its delivery is built on coordination, convening, and knowledge generation through websites, social channels, and direct engagement in UN processes (ECOSOC, HLPF, UNGA, regional commissions, and conferences). Its revenue model is non-commercial: it is supported by voluntary contributions and UN system support, participation in its activities is free for youth, and a small number of fully-funded participation opportunities are made available through UN DESA and partner support. The organisation's commercial value (in a PE/VC sense) is best understood as institutional influence and convening position rather than monetisable cash flow, and no financial metrics such as revenue, ARR, or headcount growth rate are publicly disclosed.

Name

Major Group for Children and Youth

Legal name

United Nations Major Group for Children and Youth

Website

https://unmgcy.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Major Group for Children and Youth is the UN General Assembly-mandated, self-organised coordination mechanism for youth under 30 to participate in intergovernmental policy processes since 1992, serving elected youth organisations, regional caucuses, and UN partners across 37 constituencies globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Advocacy and UN Policy Engagement

NAICS

Human Rights Organizations (813311), Child and Youth Services (62411), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

International Affairs (9721)

akta.pro primary industry

Protection, Child Protection & Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Response (BPAGAAAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Maternal, Newborn, Child & Adolescent Health (MNCAH) NGOs (HLAJAKAG), Security Sector Reform (SSR) & Defense Institution Building (BPADAFAE)

Keywords

• Youth policy advocacy
• UN youth engagement
• Intergovernmental participation
• Sustainable development advocacy
• Civil society coordination

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Voluntary Contributions and UN Support: MGCY operates as a volunteer-based UN-mandated mechanism. It receives support through UN system channels, donor contributions, and voluntary support from member organizations. No commercial revenue model.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

MGCY is the UN General Assembly-mandated formal and self-organised mechanism that facilitates the participation of children and youth (aged below 30) in UN intergovernmental and policy processes. It coordinates youth engagement across human rights, sustainable development, and peace and security pillars through ECOSOC Youth Forum, HLPF side-events, working groups, youth entity platforms, and capacity-building resources. The organization functions as a global coordination and advocacy coalition rather than a commercial product.

Product overview

Major Group for Children and Youth (MGCY) is the UN General Assembly-mandated official formal self-organised space for children and youth (aged below 30) to engage in UN intergovernmental processes since 1992. It operates as a coordination and advocacy mechanism rather than a technology product. The organization facilitates youth participation through multiple programmatic offerings: ECOSOC Youth Forum (annual platform co-convened with the UN), HLPF Side-Events addressing sustainable development themes, Youth Entity Platforms (IAGYO, GNNYP, NRYO, PYMGO, GCIYO, PEAYN) providing designated spaces for different organizational scopes, Working Groups (DRR, Migration, SDG7, etc.) focused on thematic areas, Youth Blast sessions for capacity building before major conferences, the Global Caucus for Youth in Faith for faith-based organizations, and various policy advocacy and knowledge resources including the FfD-4 Youth Handbook and Meaningful Youth Engagement Framework.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ECOSOC Youth Forum The annual youth forum of the United Nations co-convened by MGCY, bringing together youth, member states, CSOs and stakeholders globally on UN issues.
• HLPF Side-Events High-Level Political Forum side events organized by MGCY focusing on sustainable development themes including SDG 16+, NCDs, mental health, ocean resilience, and interracial dialogues.
• Youth Entity Platforms Dedicated platforms for different types of youth entities including IAGYO (grassroots/local), GNNYP (national), NRYO (regional), PYMGO (UNGA observers), GCIYO (international), and PEAYN (ECOSOC accredited).
• Working Groups Constituency-based working groups including Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), Migration, SDG7 Youth Constituency, and others addressing specific thematic areas across UN pillars.
• Youth Blast Sessions Youth-led capacity building and skill-sharing sessions held prior to major UN conferences, providing networking and strategic planning opportunities.
• Global Caucus for Youth in Faith Engagement mechanism for youth-led faith-based organizations to participate in UN system processes.
• Youth Policy and Development Programs Programs focused on UN Youth Strategy (Youth2030), World Program of Action on Youth, and coordination with UN Inter Agency Network on Youth Development.
• Capacity Building and Knowledge Resources Educational materials, handbooks, white papers, and training resources for youth participation in UN processes.
• FfD-4 Youth Handbook A comprehensive guide on navigating the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, including calendar, speaking opportunities, and engagement procedures.
• Meaningful Youth Engagement Framework Principles and barriers document establishing standards for meaningful youth engagement with the United Nations system.

Quantifiable outcome

• World Youth Report on Youth Mental Health launched at 64th session of Commission for Social Development
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

35 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 January 2026Co-organizer of High-Level Event 'Future of Multilateralism: Partnerships Driving Change' under UN Partnership Forum auspices, serving as formal pre-consultation ahead of ECOSOC Youth Forum 2026. UNDP representatives expected as key speakers.
• Major Groups and Other Stakeholders (MGOS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 January 2026Co-organized High-Level Event. MGCY led the development of UN80 Position Paper on behalf of MGOS encompassing views on budget, mandate review, and programme alignment workstreams.
• Permanent Mission of Ireland to the UNcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 January 2026Co-organizer of High-Level Event on Future of Multilateralism as part of UN Partnership Forum.
• International Federation of Medical Students' Associations (IFMSA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of HLPF Side-Event on Youth Tackling NCDs, Mental Health, and UHC Challenges, bringing together youth health advocacy organizations.
• UN Youth OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in HLPF Side-Event and global youth engagement initiatives. Collaborates on Youth2030 Phase 2 implementation briefings.
• World Health Organization (WHO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of HLPF Side-Event on health issues. Collaborates on WHO Youth Council initiatives and global health policy youth engagement.
• UNICEFcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of HLPF Side-Event on health challenges. Collaborates on child and youth health and development initiatives.
• International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSDG7 Youth Constituency collaborates with IRENA for youth engagement in renewable energy policy. IRENA co-organized IRENA Youth Talk webinar series.
• Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSDG7 Youth Constituency supports SEforALL with youth engagement in sustainable energy activities and substantive work for SDG7 achievement.
• Water Youth NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-convenor of Youth Blast for UN Water Conference 2026. Water Youth Network convenes Water Youth Constituency for youth participation in UN water processes.
• International Association of Youth and Students for PeacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of HLPF Side-Event on Protecting Civic Space, Enabling Peace. Frequent collaborator on youth peace and security initiatives.
• TAP NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of HLPF Side-Event on SDG16+ youth implementation and civic space protection.
• Blue Tree FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of HLPF Side-Event on youth civic space and peacebuilding.
• Ocean's Voice working group (YOUNGO)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organiser of HLPF Side-Event on Traditional Knowledge and Youth Voices for Ocean Resilience.
• Sustainable Ocean Alliance India HubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organiser of HLPF Side-Event on ocean resilience and youth traditional knowledge.
• Global Forum on Communities Discriminated on Work and DescentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of HLPF Side-Event on Sexual Harassment as Barrier to Achieving SDGs, focusing on descent-based discrimination issues.
• Women's Federation for World Peace InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of HLPF Side-Event on sexual harassment and SDG achievement.
• Congo ConnexioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of HLPF Side-Event on Africa's Fight for Decent Work, focusing on youth employment challenges in Africa.
• Global Youth Caucus for Decent Jobs and Sustainable EconomiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUN MGCY constituency co-hosting side-event on decent work and economic growth for African youth.
• International Young Catholic Students (IYCS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoordinated the official launch of Global Caucus for Youth in Faith (GCYF) with support from UN MGCY. GCYF serves as engagement mechanism for youth-led faith-based organizations in the UN.
• Faith-Based UN MechanismscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngagement through Charter for Faith-Based Humanitarian Action, UNFPA Interfaith Network, UNEP Faith for Earth Initiative, UN Interagency Task Force on Religion and Sustainable Development, UNICEF Global Multi-Religious Faith-in-Action COVID-19 Initiative.
• NCD AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of HLPF Side-Event addressing noncommunicable diseases, mental health, and universal health coverage challenges.
• Movendi InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of HLPF Side-Event on health challenges facing youth globally.
• UHC 2030minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of HLPF Side-Event on universal health coverage and youth health advocacy.
• International Pharmaceutical Students' Federation (IPSF)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of HLPF Side-Event on health issues affecting youth.
• Global Center for Good Governance in Tobacco Control (GGTC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of HLPF Side-Event addressing health policy and governance issues.
• Population CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of HLPF Side-Event on youth health and development challenges.
• WHO Youth CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates on global youth health policy engagement and advocacy initiatives.
• People of African Descent Stakeholder Group (PAD-SG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organiser of HLPF Side-Event on Interracial Dialogues for Sustainable Development with support from Geledés - Black Women's Institute.
• Geledés - Black Women's InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting organizer of HLPF Side-Event on interracial dialogues and racial equity.
• International Association of Youth and Students for Peace (IAYSP)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner in High-Level Event on Future of Multilateralism.
• Women's Major GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner in High-Level Event on Future of Multilateralism.
• CIVICUSminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExpected as key speaker at High-Level Event on Future of Multilateralism, bringing civil society perspectives.
• UN DESA (Department of Economic and Social Affairs)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaunched World Youth Report on Youth Mental Health at 64th Commission for Social Development. MGCY engages through global youth consultation processes. Also released World Population Highlights 2026: Youth report.
• UN Youth OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates on Youth2030 Phase 2 briefing for youth networks. Joint global engagement on UN Youth Strategy implementation.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Restless Development: Youth-led development organization operating globally with formal UN consultative status; comparable in driving meaningful youth participation in policy but as a staffed NGO rather than a UN-mandated coalition.
• AIESEC: Global youth network operating in 100+ countries with a focus on leadership development and youth voice in the SDGs. Comparable global youth constituency scope but execution model is member-driven associations rather than UN policy advocacy.
• IFMSA (International Federation of Medical Students' Associations): Existing MGCY partner and youth-led health advocacy organization with UN consultative status. Operates as a youth constituency on global health (NCDs, mental health, UHC) within similar UN engagement pathways.

Broad incumbents

• ILO Youth (International Labour Organization Youth Programme): Dedicated UN programme on youth employment, decent work, and youth voice in labor policy. Comparable in facilitating youth participation in UN intergovernmental processes (particularly on SDG8) where MGCY also runs working groups and side events.
• UN Volunteers: UN system entity mobilizing volunteers (including young people) for development and peace; comparable target audience (youth globally) and partnership pathway with MGCY but offers deployment-based rather than policy-advocacy engagement.
• UN Youth Office: The dedicated UN system office for youth affairs, working with MGCY on Youth2030 implementation but as the formal institutional counterpart. Comparable mission but operates as a UN staff body rather than a self-organised youth coalition.
• UNICEF: UN agency with a global mandate on children and adolescent welfare, partnering with MGCY on youth health and child protection in conflict. Broader institutional player with permanent staff and assessed funding, but overlapping beneficiary focus.
• CIVICUS: Global civil society alliance advocating for civic space and youth participation in governance; comparable in facilitating civil society engagement with the UN system, particularly on SDG16+ and civic space, areas where MGCY co-hosts side events.

Direct peers

• YOUNGO (UNFCCC Youth Constituency): The official youth constituency of the UNFCCC, operating under the same Major Group framework as MGCY but focused on climate policy. Both are UN-mandated, volunteer-led youth engagement mechanisms coordinating global youth input into intergovernmental processes.
• Women's Major Group: Another Major Group under the same UN framework as MGCY, coordinating women's civil society input into sustainable development policy. Directly comparable in governance model, constituency structure, and engagement with HLPF/UN policy processes.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/UNMGCY
• Instagraminstagram.com/majorgroupcy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/unmgcy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Major Group for Children and Youth