In a groundbreaking achievement, the Ohio Youth-Led Prevention Network (OYLPN) has earned its first international grant, awarded by UNESCO and K-Pop superstars SEVENTEEN. As part of the UNESCO x SEVENTEEN Grant Scheme: Going Together – For Youth Creativity and Well-Being, this honor allows OYLPN to bring their vision to life through a new youth-led podcast, Dare to Be Aware. This milestone places OYLPN among a remarkable group of just five U.S. grantees, chosen from over 2,300 applications across 140 countries.
About the UNESCO x SEVENTEEN Grant Scheme
The Going Together – For Youth Creativity and Well-Being initiative is a collaboration between UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) and SEVENTEEN, who serve as Goodwill Ambassadors for Youth through UNESCO. Together, they launched a call for innovative, youth-led projects that tackle today’s pressing challenges.
"Young generations are a source of innovation and solutions to meet the challenges of our century, but they often lack funds and support. With a budget of one million dollars, made possible by SEVENTEEN’s contribution, 100 inspiring initiatives created by and for young people will be implemented, benefiting thousands of youth and their communities,” said Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director-General.1
Through this program, one hundred innovative proposals from young leaders, entrepreneurs, and organizations were selected to implement real-world solutions.
Dare to Be Aware: Elevating Youth Voices
With support from this grant, the OYLPN Youth Council will launch Dare to Be Aware, a podcast that goes beyond the surface to explore the complexities of youth experiences.
“I’m excited for all of us to get our voices out there to all who will listen, I know we will do amazing work and be able to spread mental health awareness!” -Addy M., OYLPN Youth Council Member.
Through critical thinking, empathy, and open dialogue, the podcast will empower teens to take action in their own communities while building a positive, youth-led prevention network. Engaging topics such as the pros and cons of social media, amplifying youth voices, real-life examples of youth-led prevention, and healthy coping strategies will make Dare to Be Aware both relatable and impactful.
A Mission Made Possible
With the support of the UNESCO x SEVENTEEN Grant, OYLPN is excited to expand their efforts to amplify youth voices.
"Youth bring incredible insights, creativity, and perspectives that deserve to be heard. Thanks to UNESCO x Seventeen Grant, they now have the platform to share their stories and inspire change on a global scale.” - Brittany Wolf-Delawder, Prevention Coordinator.
Stay tuned for the first episode of Dare to Be Aware, launching soon!
References:
1United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. (2025, January 27). UNESCO and SEVENTEEN award grants to 100 youth-led projects around the world. UNESCO. https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/unesco-and-seventeen-award-grants-100-youth-led-projects-around-world.