Beijing, 1 December 2024 – The 7th annual National Dialogue was convened in Beijing from 29 November to 1 December 2024. Co-hosted by the United Nations Development Programme, the China Soong Ching Ling Science & Culture Centre for Young People (SCLSCC) and Citi China, the event aims to empower Chinese youth in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through innovation and entrepreneurship.
 
The National Dialogue is a flagship event of Youth Co:Lab. Co-created by UNDP and the Citi Foundation in 2017, Youth Co:Lab is the largest youth movement for empowerment, social entrepreneurship, equality, and social inclusion in the Asia Pacific region and has supported young people in 28 countries and territories. Since its inception, activities supported by Youth Co:Lab have reached 300,000 participants across the region. 
 
Centered around the theme of Green Entrepreneurship, this year’s National Dialogue encouraged 60 young entrepreneurs to leverage innovative solutions to address green development and climate-related challenges within their communities.
 
During the 3-day event, youth entrepreneurs participated in training workshops and a start-up fair, where they received personalized mentorship from 20 mentors, including 10 investors. The mentors provided advice on business strategies, and how to receive investment and support in scaling social ventures.
 
“It is my hope that you will take advantage of these resources and opportunities, to take your ideas to the next level and realize your ambitions to help solve our world’s most pressing issues. Indeed, as youth – your initiatives are sparks of hope, shining brightly in a world that often seems shrouded in darkness, conflicts, and stress of old economic models of consumption and production at the expense of the planet,” said James George, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP China, addressing youth participants at the opening ceremony. 
 
China has been hosting the National Dialogue since 2018, focusing on key themes, including Accessibility, Rural Revitalization, Digital Disruption post-COVID-19, Climate Action, and Green Development. The event empowers youth, especially those from marginalized groups, by equipping them with essential entrepreneurial skills. Over the past six years, the National Dialogue has supported more than 300 Chinese youth-led start-ups, providing professional mentorship from experts across impact funds, incubators, and academia, enhancing their opportunities to receive funding from investors and industry partners.
 
“Youth are the future and hope of this nation. I encourage you to strengthen exchanges and cooperation, and to promote green transformation through innovative, inclusive, and sustainable solutions. We look forward to your exceptional contributions, as well as your wisdom and strength, to build a more beautiful, greener planet together,” said Jincao Xu, the Deputy Director of the Experience Centre of the China Soong Ching Ling Science & Culture Centre for Young People.
 
“Citi has been committed to empowering youth through diverse initiatives, firmly believing that their potential is the driving force for social transformation. By supporting innovative community programs, offering entrepreneurial training, and creating platforms for growth, we aim to support youth to chase their dreams while making meaningful contributions to society,” said Hongjun Teng, Executive Vice President of Citibank (China) Co., Ltd.
 
"Your ideas serve as the spark that will ignite a wildfire of green entrepreneurship, kindling the flames of innovation and sustainability. Imagine your projects blossoming like bamboo after a spring rain, driving momentum towards sustainable development. Let’s unite our efforts, with green entrepreneurship as our compass, harnessing the energy of youth, to realize the SDGs for a more beautiful and sustainable future,” said Yi Zhang, the Deputy Director-General of the China International Center for Economic and Technical Exchanges.
 
On Demo Day, 12 start-ups showcased their business solutions on Green Entrepreneurship to an audience of investors. First prize winners include “Replacing Plastics with Bamboo” and “Converting Solid Wastes into New Cementitious Materials.”
 
Two teams “Replacing Plastics with Bamboo”  and “CAR-PLAsty” received seed grants of up to 20,000 Euros from CVC Capital. These grants are part of Youth Co:Lab’s efforts  to collaborate with governments, the private sector, incubators, and financial institutions to establish sustainable mechanisms that empower youth-led social enterprises in achieving the SDGs.

The eight winning teams will have the opportunity to participate in the Youth Co:Lab Summit, the Asia Pacific’s largest gathering of youth social entrepreneurs, to be held in 2025. Representing China, they will showcase their business solutions along with peers from other countries and territories in the Asia-Pacific region, demonstrating how youth can contribute to the nation’s green and just transition through social innovation and entrepreneurship.

Co-created in 2017 by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Citi Foundation, Youth Co:Lab aims to establish a common agenda for countries in the Asia-Pacific region to empower and invest in youth so that they can accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through leadership, social innovation and entrepreneurship. Read more about Youth Co:Lab here.