The retailer is one of 200 organisations across the UK that have publicly committed to empower more young people to shape decisions, take social action and make a positive difference.
The pledge comes on the launch of #iWill Week 2022, which runs until 25 November and aims to shed light on the challenges faced by young activists and changemakers by encouraging meaningful conversations with those that support youth social action.
The Co-op Foundation is committed to giving diverse young people a voice in future funding decisions and driving positive change through campaigns informed by young people.
Last month it launched Building communities of the future together, working with 100 young people from across the UK to deliver on Co-op’s vision of “co-operating for a fairer world”.
The charity also jointly funds Peer Action Collective, a £5.2m programme in England and Wales that aims to give young people the chance to make their communities safer, fairer places to live.
To mark the end of #IWill Week 2022, on Friday 25 November the Co-op Foundation will be hosting a webinar for voluntary organisations that want to find out more about the unrestricted grants of up to £30,000 per year that will soon be available through the charity’s new Future Communities Fund.
Shirine Khoury-Haq, chief executive of Co-op, said: “The future is uncertain. The voices and actions of young people are essential to building better communities for the future. Our research shows that as many as one third of young people feel the odds are now stacked against them for their future.
"This is why Co-op has signed the #PowerofYouth Charter. We are fully committed to working with young people to make a difference on the issues that matter most to them, whilst co-operating to create fairer communities and fairer access to opportunities.
“We encourage other businesses to join us in signing this charter empowering young people to make a positive difference.”
Nick Crofts, chief executive of the Co-op Foundation, added: “We believe all young people should be empowered to make a positive difference to the issues that affect their lives, their communities and broader society. This is how we’ll build communities of the future together that are fairer and more co-operative.
“Signing the Power of Youth Charter alongside Co-op is an important alignment for us. It shows how businesses, funders and charities can work together to give young people real voice and real power. We encourage other organisations also passionate about future generations to come forward on #iwill Week to make your commitments too."
