Sydney Helmuth

Tag: sustainability

  • Young People Can Be Seen and Be Heard with The Body Shop

    Young People Can Be Seen and Be Heard with The Body Shop

    Popular skincare brand The Body Shop is helping young people get involved with advocacy initiatives that matter to them. Founded in 1976, The Body Shop started because it believed that business could be a force for good. The company committed to its mission of selling ethically sourced, cruelty-free beauty products and has been a force for positive change in the cosmetic world ever since. One of the company’s major efforts outside of its products is the “Be Seen Be Heard” campaign. The campaign was a massive move for the business’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. 

    The Be Seen Be Heard campaign is a partnership between The Body Shop and the United Nations Human Rights Office. Together, they aim to advocate for “a future that recognizes young people’s political participation as a driving force for positive change.” Since its launch in 2022, both organizations have been dedicated to ensuring that young voices are heard and valued in the political process. 

    As part of the campaign, the Be Seen Be Heard report was released. The report includes findings from The Body Shop’s largest-ever survey, which was carried out in December 2021. The survey covered 26 countries and had 27,043 respondents, over half of whom were under age 30. The report highlights both formal and informal engagement in political participation as beneficial for a resilient democracy, emphasizing ways to encourage both. At its core, Be See Be Heard and the collaborative report released with the United Nations is a call to action for governments, institutions, and communities to listen to the next generation.

    The Body Shop’s campaign is critical right now. With the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health crises, and worsening climate change, young people are facing a tumultuous world. Many are passionate about these issues and further political advocacy, but they remain largely excluded from the political decision-making process. Be Seen Be Heard is dedicated to bridging this gap and ensuring that young people have the ability to make the change they seek. 

    The Body Shop has become more than a cosmetic marketplace. The business has turned its storefronts into more than retail spaces through its CSR efforts. They have become large hubs for encouraging activism and political participation. The company has hosted a variety of events, from hosting youth consultations to making advocacy toolkits. Additionally, The Body Shop has partnered with grassroots organizations, the United Nations, and policymakers to assist with their initiatives. One of their biggest goals is to lower the UK voting age to 16. They have partnered with the British Youth Council to campaign for this goal, arguing that young people are integral to the political system and are affected by many of the decisions being made in the government.

    To be part of the change, you can visit TheBodyShop.com. There you can find more information regarding their cruelty-free mission and products, and their dedication to political advocacy for young people. Be Seen Be Heard is a great example of a CSR initiative striving to help young people make change.

  • Nonprofit Empowers Young Activists Through Financial and Organizational Support

    Nonprofit Empowers Young Activists Through Financial and Organizational Support

    There are many barriers that prevent young people from getting involved in issues that they care about. One prominent barrier many face is finances. Leading advocacy initiatives is daunting, especially without financial support. To help relieve this burden, the nonprofit organization Future Coalition provides fiscal sponsorships to help meet the specific demands of youth and grassroots organizers. 

    Established in 2018, the organization has rapidly become a hub for youth-led activism, amplifying the stories of young individuals addressing the needs of their communities. At its core, the group believes in the power of young people to drive change. Future Coalition describes its mission as “accelerat[ing] the impact of young leaders by incubating, connecting, funding, and amplifying their work.” 

    In 2024, through its Future Incubator service, Future Coalition supported 15 youth-led or youth-centered projects. Future Incubator does not only provide monetary support for its projects; it also supports the administrative and legal backend for these youth-led initiatives.

    One of these projects is the Arizona Youth Climate Coalition. Due to Future Coalition’s fiscal support, the Arizona Youth Climate Coalition has been allocated more resources to its fight for climate justice, while the Future Incubator service covers management and fundraising softwares and legal and financial support. Without these services, it can be hard for youth-led initiatives to grow. Future Coalition allows youth advocates to focus on their mission, while assisting with more mundane financial, legal, and administrative tasks.

    In addition to Future Incubator, Future Coalition leads several other key initiatives to help young people get involved in politics. The coalition has had a crucial role in mobilizing young voters. Future Coalition’s Voter Hub serves as a platform for young voters to learn about politics, get engaged, and mobilize their communities. Recognizing the historic opportunity presented by recent elections, Future Coalition has encouraged young people across the country to push for a more progressive path, providing resources to ensure they are ready to vote. This includes tools to check registration, register to vote, and vote early.

    Future Coalition emphasizes the power of youth-led activism, supporting youth leaders and advocates in a variety of different ways. The resources and initiatives it provides are fundamental for the support of young advocates, and more organizations should be following in its footsteps. The Future Incubator program is a prime example of how Future Coalition is supporting young leaders. The Coalition’s other initiatives, such as the Voter Hub, work to mobilize young people to get involved in elections and issues that they care about. Future Coalition’s work allows young leaders and youth-led initiatives to thrive.