"Youth at the Forefront: Leveraging Science and Social Inclusion for Sustainable Development”

SIDE EVENT AT THE 2025 ECOSOC YOUTH FORUM

“Igniting Change Through Youth Social Entrepreneurship part II”

Organized by (Hunt Hill Farm Trust Inc, Global Institute for Water, Environment and Health (GIWEH), Barco Sorriso, CUFA GLOBAL)

[April 16 from 1pm to 2:30pm, NY Time/EST]

The “Igniting Change Through Youth Social Entrepreneurship” program is a strategic initiative designed to empower youth as drivers of sustainable development and social progress. First introduced at the 2024 ECOSOC Youth Forum, the program laid the foundation for impactful initiatives by convening youth leaders, key stakeholders, and public-private partnerships (PPPs). These collaborations have already begun creating meaningful opportunities for young entrepreneurs. Now, in its critical first year of implementation, the program emphasizes consistency and measurable deliverables to ensure lasting impact and scalability.

At Hunt Hill Farm, our mission aligns closely with the 2025 ECOSOC Youth Forum’s thematic focus on advancing the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our unique resources—including vast preserved farmland, a cooking school, art and music spaces, and historic venues—serve as platforms to equip youth with the skills, creativity, and confidence they need to thrive. The “Igniting Change” program connects these resources to foster hands-on, inclusive experiences that address the interlinked goals of health and well-being (SDG 3), gender equality (SDG 5), economic growth and decent work (SDG 8), and vibrant global partnerships (SDG 17).

Programme and names of speakers/panelists

For the 2025 ECOSOC Youth Forum, we are proud to present The Silo Youthpreneur Lab, an evolved concept rooted in lessons learned from the program's introduction last year. This iteration is firmly aligned with the thematic focus of the forum and represents our commitment to continuously adapt to the dynamic and diverse needs of youth.

By prioritizing SDG 3, the program empowers young individuals to develop life and career skills that promote sustained well-being and economic independence. Programming also emphasizes SDG 5, with special attention to gender equity through mentorship opportunities, inclusive leadership training, and platforms that amplify the voices of young women and girls. Through SDG 8, The Silo Youthpreneur Lab equips participants with entrepreneurial tools and pathways for decent employment, fostering an environment for sustained, inclusive economic growth. Finally, our partnerships with global organizations, including ongoing discussions with the Government of the Azores and the Escola de Hotelaria e Turismo de Lisboa, showcase our dedication to SDG 17 by strengthening collaboration across borders and sectors.

This year, as we implement our proof of concept, we are focused on ensuring the program delivers consistent and tangible impact. Our continued engagement with the global community through the ECOSOC Youth Forum enables The Silo Youthpreneur Lab to serve as a conduit for actionable dialogue. By connecting youth to entrepreneurial opportunities in arts, trades, and technology, the program contributes directly to the advancement of the SDGs, while providing a replicable model for youth empowerment on a global scale.

Featured Speakers/panelists

Asmita Baidya - Global Institute for Water, Environment and Health GIWEH

Allison Danial – 16-year-old Social Entrepreneur & Youth Ambassador

Guilherme Lepca – President of Barco Sorriso NGO from Brazil

Jason O’Connor – Exeutive Director of the New Milford Youth Agency

Carlos Nuno – 22 y/o Culinary Chef from the Azores

Peter Geib – Managing Director, Energy Storage Solutions Brazil & Latin America at Saft, a Total Energies Company; Chief Energy & ESG Officer at Hunt Hill Farm

Dr. Anjanette DeCarlo - Chief Sustainability Scientist at the Aromatic Plant Research Center at Saint Michael's College and Lecturer at University of Vermont Grossman School of Business

Dr. Stephanie Soalt - Director of Social Emotional Learning and Special Needs for Hunt Hill Farm NGO

Special Guest

Mayor Pete Bass – Town of New Milford CT - USA.

Moderators:
Dr. Hanifa Mezoui – Senior Advisor, UN and International Organisation Liaison, AICESIS

Alessandro Piovezahn – President, Hunt Hill Farm

Guiding Questions for discussion/s

Health and Well-Being (SDG 3):

How can youth-led social entrepreneurship initiatives address mental health challenges and promote well-being, particularly among underrepresented or marginalized groups?

Gender Equality and Empowerment (SDG 5):

What strategies can be implemented within youth social entrepreneurship programs to ensure equitable access for women and girls, fostering leadership and breaking down barriers?

Economic Growth and Employment (SDG 8):

How can youth entrepreneurship ventures contribute to creating sustained, inclusive economic growth and decent work opportunities while addressing local and global economic challenges?

Global Partnerships (SDG 17):

4. What role do multi-stakeholder partnerships, such as public-private collaborations, play in scaling youth entrepreneurship programs and achieving cross-sector SDG alignment? How can such partnerships be strengthened to ensure measurable impact?

Aims:

Empowering Young Social Entrepreneurs: Foster young entrepreneurs as crucial stakeholders in actualizing their personal aspirations and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Formation of Youth Changemakers Group: Institute a team of enthusiastic young changemakers with explicit roles in implementing the Youth Social Entrepreneurship (YSEP) Program of Action across their localities and regions.

Youth-Exclusive Engagement Platform: Facilitate a secure, youth-centric online environment where young individuals can converse about their challenges and exchange opportunities and solutions.

Address for in person participation is:

The Silo

44 Upland Road

New Milford CT 06776

Online live straming at:

http://www.hunthillfarm.org/youth2025