Mr. Thongly Sisoulith, Secretary General, Central Committee of the Lao Youth Union (left), and Mr. Simon Nazer, UNICEF Laos Chief of Communications (right), previously during the launch of Project Sinxay: UPSHIFT in Luang Prabang in December 2024. (UNICEF Lao PDR/2024/SSilichamphone)

Participants in the project gained practical skills in innovation, entrepreneurship, leadership, advocacy, and the use of digital tools including AI. Many have already launched community-based projects focused on waste reduction, clean water, school inclusion and mental health.

 “Lao youth have ideas and drive. Through Project Sinxay, we are giving them the skills, mentoring, and small grants they need to turn ideas into real solutions for their communities. We will expand this work so that more young people can learn, earn, and lead,” said Mr. Thongly Sisoulith, Secretary General of the Lao Youth Union.

Participants of Project Sinxay: UPSHIFT pitching their social innovation project to a panel. Selected teams were provided with small seed funding to kickstart their project. (UNICEF Lao PDR/2025/SSilichamphone)

At the heart of Project Sinxay is UPSHIFT, UNICEF’s global social innovation program, delivered with financial support from UK-based tech company Arm. UPSHIFT provides young people with hands-on training, mentorship, and seed funding to help turn their ideas into impactful solutions.

Under Youth Champions, young people learn about leadership and advocacy skills, including how to communicate with their peers and different groups of people on different topics. (UNICEF Lao PDR/2025/SSilichamphone)

These efforts not only equip youth with entrepreneurial skills but also empower them to engage with local authorities and influence change in their communities.

Training on advocacy organised in Xiengkhouang under the Youth Champions track of Project Sinxay in June 2024. (UNICEF Lao PDR/2024/SSilichamphone)

“When young people gain problem-solving and digital skills and start micro-projects, they create value for their communities and the economy. UNICEF will continue to support the Lao Youth Union to expand opportunities for youth across the country,” said Mr. Bilal Aurang Zeb Durrani, UNICEF Country Representative to the Lao PDR.

(UNICEF Lao PDR/2024/SSilichamphone)

Phase two of Project Sinxay will soon launch in Vientiane, Luang Prabang, and Savannakhet, with more provinces to follow. The next phase will place greater emphasis on using AI to develop climate-resilient and nature-based solutions, promote youth-led enterprises and deliver measurable community impact.

KPL