Youth Leaders
Young people with and without intellectual disabilities are leading their schools and communities toward a more inclusive future. By providing training, funding, and other resources, Special Olympics supports Youth Leaders across the globe.
Get Involved
Our Reach
350
Youth Leadership Summits
110
Countries & Jurisdictions
150,000
Youth Trained at a Summit
2.5M
Youth indirectly Engaged
2.5M
Youth Reached
774
Youth-Led Projects
Youth Declaration
Sign the Declaration
Innovation Grants
Projects that promote inclusion.
Global Youth Leadership Summit
Develop tools and become leaders.
Programs
Find a program near you.
Youth Leadership Council
For the youth by the youth.
Resources for Youth Leaders
Supporting Youth Leaders, adult mentors & members.
Global Youth Leadership Summit 2023 Recap
For the first time ever, a Global Youth Leadership Council, consisting of youth with and without ID, planned and implemented the Global Youth Leadership Summit. Take a look back at the 11th Global Youth Leadership Summit as part of the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023.
Special Olympics Unified Youth Exchange - Jamaica and Washington D.C.
Youth Leaders from Jamaica and Washington D.C. shared experiences, fostered inclusion, and strengthened bonds through cultural excursions, Unified sports, and engaging activities.
Shad and Abdelrahman
Shahd and Abdelrahman have been appointed to the Global Youth Leadership Council. This appointment is a testament to their unwavering dedication to inclusion and their tireless efforts to foster a sense of community and belonging for all.
Faces of Inclusion South Africa Part Four: Game Changers
Coaches Eltheo and Charl realized young women in their community were not given the same opportunities and decided to make a change, helping to break the cycle of violence and offering hope. They’re giving girls opportunities they've never had—both on and off the field. Part Four of our Faces of Inclusion South Africa series is presented by Samuel Family Foundation.
Jae Seong & Jun Hyung
"I was most impressed by the positive reinforcement that led to a sense of competence and self-confidence, which helped the program participants... unlock their potential and perform beyond their capabilities."
Iven Chide & Christopher Kalima
"The learning experience is that athletes are the ones to express themselves better than anyone else."
Lydia DeBlecourt and Bemji Feaster
"As they are learning about inclusion they are having tons of fun, which was my goal."
Thai Ha Ho & Thi Cam Ly Do
"My great joy is to have a chance to meet and interact with young people and learn many things about life from them."
Olivia Neverauskaite & Mantas Racinkas
"Together we learned that even our differences are disappearing when we are united together for unified activities."
Yeruult Batbayer and Araijan Abai
"The satisfaction I felt from teaching what I learned to other people was breathtaking. Seeing them understand what I taught them was a one-of-a-kind feeling I will never regret having."
Lujin ad bel Rehim & Haidi Hazem el gamal
"They are the main reason for introducing happiness and joy to the athletes and their sense of their being and their role in society."
Lorena Mendieta & Samuel Henriquez
"We are the future professionals of the country and I have no doubt that we will make a lot of change for inclusion.”
Ilitay & Perizat
"We were happy to see how our athletes made new friends and became even more socially adapted."