May 2026 OneJA Newsletter
Photo from Sukma Wahyuni, Prestasi Junior Indonesia.
LETTER FROM THE CEO
Dear colleagues,
For more than a century, JA has helped young people prepare for the future—and throughout our history, we’ve also helped young people shape it. Across the JA network, generations of young people have built businesses, solved community problems, advocated for new ideas, and contributed their perspectives to conversations that matter. We’re proud to be part of a broader global community of NGOs, educators, youth-serving organizations, and non-profits that believe young people should not simply inherit the future, but actively help create it . . .
STAFF ACTION ITEMS
LAST CHANCE TO NOMINATE LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS FOR THE 2026 GLOBAL BUSINESS HALL OF FAME
There are only a few days left to submit nominations for the Global Business Hall of Fame. Although the FastTrack referrals form will remain open, the cutoff for nominations for 2026 is May 25 at 11:59pmEDT.
The FastTrack process, created specifically for the JA network, makes it possible to submit a referral in less than five minutes by sharing just three simple details: nominee name, location, and company. By nominating local business leaders, JA locations help elevate entrepreneurs whose leadership, innovation, and impact can inspire young people around the world, while also strengthening relationships with influential executives in their communities.
Nominations are also open to the public and close at the same time on May 25. Ready-to-use promotional collateral, including graphics, design files, and social-media copy, remains available to help spread the word through your local networks are available on OneJA.
DEEPEN YOUR LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE WITH THE JA LEAD PROGRAM
With the May 29 application deadline fast approaching, now is the time to take the next step in your leadership journey through the JA Leader Exchange and Development (LEAD) Program. LEAD is more than a global exchange; it is an immersive experience designed to challenge perspectives, strengthen leadership capabilities, and deepen your connection to the JA network worldwide. Participants engage in meaningful, one-on-one exchange visits with a peer in another region, complemented by ongoing virtual dialogue that fosters candid conversations about real-world challenges and opportunities facing JA operations today.
Feedback from past participants has been overwhelmingly positive, with all citing the relationships built and the open exchange of ideas as among the most valuable professional development experience they have had. Leaders consistently return with practical insights, innovative approaches, and a renewed sense of purpose - better equipped to lead in an increasingly complex and interconnected environment. If you are ready to expand your thinking, learn from diverse global contexts, and contribute to the future of JA, we strongly encourage you to submit your application by May 29. Learn more about LEAD and apply today on OneJA.
NEW GLOBAL YOUTH ADVOCACY INITIATIVE LAUNCHING SOON
JA Worldwide is preparing to launch World Youth for Action, a new flagship initiative focused on youth advocacy, engagement, and global collaboration.
Designed as a multi-year, three-part global initiative, World Youth for Action will elevate the voices of young people ages 16–29 and create opportunities for them to engage as contributors in shaping the decisions, systems, and policies that impact their lives and communities. The initiative reflects JA Worldwide’s continued commitment to preparing young people not only for employment and entrepreneurship, but also for active participation in the future of society and the global economy.
Launching in June, the initiative will begin with a series of activations and engagement opportunities for alumni across the JA network, including pop-up experiences, virtual cohorts, and collaborative learning opportunities designed to connect young people across regions and perspectives.
The first global focus area will explore one of the most important conversations of the coming decade: what should follow the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals when they conclude in 2030? Through virtual dialogue, regional listening labs, and a global summit in India, young people will collaborate with thought leaders, educators, researchers, and practitioners to help shape youth-led recommendations for the future of global development priorities.
Additional information, including participation opportunities and resources for the JA network, will be shared soon.
EXPLORE THE 2025 JA WORLDWIDE ANNUAL REPORT, FACTBOOK, AND YEAR IN REVIEW
JA Worldwide is pleased to announce the release of our 2025 Annual Report and Factbook. Together, they offer a comprehensive look at the progress, partnerships, and learning experiences that shaped the year across the global network. Together, these resources highlight the breadth of JA’s work in entrepreneurship, work readiness, financial health, and future-focused education, while also showcasing stories from JA locations around the world and the collective impact of the JA network. We encourage all JA staff to explore and share these new resources as tools for stakeholder engagement, fundraising, communications, and celebrating the achievements of the global JA community. Read more.
NEED A WEBSITE?
If your website feels a little out of date, needs a fresher look, or still features the old JA branding, we have a great option for you: a Squarespace website that’s already branded and organized, ready for you to customize at your convenience.
Squarespace websites are inexpensive and offer a content-management system that's easy to learn. But the branding, menu structure, and layout can be time-consuming, so we've handled that part for you.
After attending a training session, your JA location will receive access to a branded Squarespace website template that your team can customize with your own content, photos, and materials at your own pace, without needing technical expertise. Once the site is ready, JA Worldwide will help proofread, launch, and redirect the existing URL, while covering the first year of hosting costs. Learn more and add a training session to your calendar on OneJA.
GET A FIRST LOOK AT JA BOOST–PITCH MASTER
The LX Tech Community recently hosted a demo of JA Boost–Pitch Master, giving participants a closer look at how the platform supports entrepreneurship education through interactive pitch development and presentation experiences. During the session, attendees explored a live demo and learned how they can bring JA Pitch Master to students in their JA location. Sign up to learn how you can bring JA Boost–Pitch Master to your students.
If you missed the event, the recording is available. For questions, please contact Alison Gottsch-Walton.
READY FOR YOUR OWN IMPACT REPORT: START WITH THE 2026 IMPACT AND INSIGHTS REPORT FROM JA WORLDWIDE
As JA locations continue to share your impact with partners, funders, and communities, the customizable 2026 JA Worldwide Impact & Insights Report offers a flexible starting point for creating an impact report. Built in PowerPoint, the report template is designed to you adapt global and regional impact data and stories into a version that reflects your priorities and outcomes.
The report includes content in four focus areas: Youth Entrepreneurship, Work and Tech Readiness, Economic Empowerment, and Education for Future Skills. You're encouraged to reorganize, expand, or simplify the structure based on local needs. Download the editable assets and supporting materials on OneJA.
APPLY FOR THE GLOBAL EDTECH PRIZE FROM T4 EDUCATION
The tools and technologies students use today shape how they see their futures tomorrow. That's why the Global EdTech Prize from T4 Education celebrates innovations that are making a real difference: empowering educators, engaging learners, and strengthening communities worldwide.
T4 is especially interested in solutions that advance literacy and lifelong learning, support educator wellbeing and effectiveness, and bridge learning gaps and expand opportunity. If you’re building something that’s changing classrooms for the better, we encourage you to apply at t4.education/global-edtech-prize/.
GLOBAL SCHOOLS PRIZE FINALISTS ANNOUNCED: DID YOUR JA SCHOOLS MAKE THE TOP 10?
The Global Schools Prize has announced its Top 10 finalists and category winners, recognizing schools around the world that are reimagining education through innovation, leadership, and measurable impact. As you review the finalists, we encourage JA staff across the network to look closely for schools connected to your JA programs, partnerships, or alumni communities. If one of your JA schools has been recognized among the Top 10, please share the news with Lorrie Noggle so we can help amplify their achievement across the global network.
GLOBAL NEWS
JOIN "BECAUSE OF JA" WEEK
For some, it began with a classroom experience. For others, a mentor, a team, or a first step into the world of work. Across the global JA network, these moments connect us, through one shared mission, brought to life locally through OneJA.
This week, we invite you to reflect on what has happened because of JA:
Because of JA, I found the confidence to speak up and share my ideas.
Because of JA, I discovered what I was capable of.
Because of JA, I started to believe in my own potential.
Take a moment to consider your own “Because of JA . . .” story, an experience, opportunity, or insight that has stayed with you. Then, take one step to extend that impact:
Share your story to inspire others
Support the next generation by getting involved locally
Sustain the impact with a personal gift
Your experience is part of something bigger, and your action helps shape what comes next. Learn more.
NOMINATE LOCAL BUSINESS LEADERS TO THE GLOBAL STAGE: FINAL DAYS!
The deadline to submit nominations for the Global Business Hall of Fame presented by JA Worldwide approaches, with the nominations portal closing on May 25 at 11:59pmEDT. This is the final opportunity in 2026 to elevate business leaders whose achievements, values, and impact inspire young people around the world.
Since 1975, the Global Business Hall of Fame has recognized entrepreneurs and executives who have shaped industries while demonstrating leadership, innovation, and a commitment to their communities. Today, the initiative continues to reflect the diversity and global reach of the JA network, highlighting leaders whose stories help young people see new possibilities for their own futures in entrepreneurship and the world of work. Learn more and submit your nomination at businesshalloffame.org/nominate.
TUNE IN TO WORLD BANK PANEL DISCUSSION WITH JA LEADERS ON IMPROVING ACCESS TO WORK READINESS LEARNING EXPERIENCES
On-the-job learning and early exposure to the labor market are widely considered essential stepping stones for developing a wide range of skills and improving employability. However, internships or apprenticeships often only reach a small minority of youth, especially where the formal private sector is small. This thought-leadership session will discuss alternative models of work-integrated learning that have the potential to reach young people at scale, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
Join the webinar on May 21, 9amEST/3pmCET/9pmHKT. Register today.
EXPERIENCE EDUCATION HOUSE–OXFORD, A JA PARTNERSHIP
JA Worldwide recently joined global educators, social entrepreneurs, policymakers, and philanthropy leaders at the 2026 Skoll World Forum in Oxford, while also convening Education House Oxford at the Blavatnik School of Government. Conversations focused on how education systems can better equip young people with the creativity, agency, ethical judgment, and future-ready skills they need to navigate a rapidly changing world. As a global partner in Education House, JA helped bring together cross-sector leaders to explore new approaches to systems change, collective leadership, and the future of learning. Read more.
JA AND Z ZURICH FOUNDATION ARE BUILDING RESILIENT FUTURES
Young people are coming of age in a world defined by uncertainty. For millions of youth, especially those growing up in underserved communities, the pathway from school to employment has become less predictable than at any point in recent history.
That's why, in more than two-dozen countries, JA Worldwide and the Z Zurich Foundation are helping students adapt when plans change, persist when opportunities are unevenly distributed, and imagine a future that does not yet exist. Read how each JA location in the partnership—spanning all six JA regions—has customized learning experiences to build resilient futures for youth in their community.
SPOTLIGHT: For students participating in entrepreneurship experiences through INJAZ Al-Arab (JA in the Middle East and North Africa), entrepreneurship became more than an idea. It became a process of collaboration, resilience, and real-world problem-solving. During the “Building Resilient Futures Together” World Tour stop hosted by Zurich Life Middle East with support from Z Zurich Foundation and INJAZ UAE, students pitched startup ideas, connected with business leaders, and gained firsthand experience navigating the challenges of building a business. Through mentorship, teamwork, and practical learning, students developed confidence, strengthened professional skills, and redefined what entrepreneurship means to them. Find out how these experiences are helping young people across the region see entrepreneurship as both a mindset and a pathway for creating meaningful impact. Read more.
CATALYST NEW YORK 2026 CONNECTS GENERATIONS OF LEADERS THROUGH PURPOSE AND POSSIBILITY
Catalyst New York 2026 brought together JA alumni, business leaders, and supporters for an evening of conversation about leadership, mentorship, and expanding opportunity for young people.
Catalyst is part of a global movement led by JA champions who are accelerating JA Worldwide’s mission to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy. The event brought that mission to life through honest conversations, shared experiences, and intergenerational learning. Hosted by JA alumnus Charles Kim and Jean Kim, founders of the YS Kim Foundation, Catalyst was organized in partnership with Junior Achievement of New York and supported by Delta Air Lines. Read more.
MARSHALL GOLDSMITH RECEIVES THE 2026 JA LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP AWARD
Leadership is about creating opportunities for others, investing in future generations, and helping young people recognize their own potential. That's why, last week in New York, JA Worldwide honored Marshall Goldsmith with our annual JA Legacy of Leadership Award—JA's most significant honor—in order to recognize Marshall's lifelong commitment to leadership development, mentorship, and the empowerment of future generations of leaders. Read more.
ALUMNI NEWS AND OPPORTUNITIES
JOIN JA ALUMNI IN THE LANGUAGE LAB
Language has the power to bring people together, across cultures, regions, and experiences. As part of the Innovation pillar of the Alumni Leaders Academy Global, we're excited to launch the Language Lab with JA Americas Alumni. This cross-border initiative creates new spaces for human connection, language learning, and global collaboration across the JA alumni network. Building on the success of the English Lab, we're opening a Spanish Lab to alumni worldwide, creating more opportunities for alumni to learn and grow together, exchange perspectives, and strengthen our global community through language and shared experiences.
Whether you’re looking to practice, connect, or simply challenge yourself to learn a new language in a supportive global environment, this space is for you. Register today.
JA ALUMNI IN EUROPE GATHER IN POLAND FOR FIRST ALUMNI ASSEMBLY
Last month, JA Alumni Europe gathered in Warsaw, Poland, for its first-ever in-person Alumni Assembly, a historic milestone for the European alumni movement. JA alumni leaders from across the region came together to shape the future of alumni leadership, governance, engagement, and collaboration across Europe. During the Assembly, Dana Khairallah, JA Worldwide's Alumni Community Manager, joined a dedicated panel discussion on behalf of the Alumni Leaders Academy Global, highlighting the importance of global alignment, youth advocacy, and the evolving role of alumni within the wider JA ecosystem. Discussions reflected the spirit of #OneJA and the growing connection between regional alumni movements and the global alumni vision led through the global academy. Head to Gather—the JA alumni network—to read the full story and explore the key outcomes of the assembly. Read more.
REGIONAL UPDATES
JA AFRICA
JA Africa and the ExxonMobil Foundation have launched STEM Africa 2.0, an expanded initiative that will equip 4,000 additional students across Africa with STEM and AI skills through competitions, innovation camps, mentorship, and hands-on learning experiences focused on high-growth industries. Read more.
In addition, BK Foundation and JA Africa in Rwanda are partnering to expand financial literacy and entrepreneurship education through the SET4LYF program, combining classroom learning with mentorship and career exposure to help students build confidence and prepare for future opportunities. More details.
Finally, JA Africa and ZanaAfrica, with support from Google.org, are bringing digital literacy and online safety education to children, educators, and caregivers across Kenya through workshops, teacher training, and community outreach designed to help young people navigate the online world safely and confidently. Read more.
JA ASIA PACIFIC
Across the region, JA locations are advancing the global strategy by partnering for impact to drive scale, relevance, and systems change. In Hong Kong SAR—China, HSBC’s continued support has enabled JA Hong Kong to expand the JA Company Program island-wide, culminating in the 2026 JA Company of the Year national finals in April.
In Indonesia, alignment with national priorities was reinforced when Starbucks highlighted its CSR collaboration with Prestasi Junior Indonesia (PJI) by implementing the JA Company Program under the Starbucks Creative Youth Entrepreneurship Program (SCYEP) and presenting it to the Deputy Minister of Creative Economy and an official from the Ministry for Community Empowerment. PJI had the opportunity to directly showcase JA’s impact on strategic government stakeholders whose priorities align with youth empowerment and economic development. Progress toward systems integration was further accelerated through PJI’s MoU with the Pangandaran Regency Education Office, which embedded JA programs into public school curricula and connected financial literacy to real-world applications such as food security.
JA Philippines’ partnership with JPMorgan Chase led to ten student teams advancing to the Career Connect Capstone Finals in the Philippines. An MoU with Q Software Research Corp. (QSR), a Google Premier and Professional Development Partner, brings JA Philippines closer to bridging the digital divide across the archipelago by leveraging Google for Education. The JA Philippines Learning Institute also partnered with the Rotary Club of Makati to launch an AI-driven skills program.
Strategic thought leadership was further strengthened at the first JA Asia Pacific breakfast roundtable in Singapore, featuring futurist Rohit Talwar alongside C-suite leaders, a parliamentarian, educators, and recent judges of the JA Asia Pacific Company of the Year Competition—Professor Veera Sekaran (National University of Singapore) and Maggie Lee (Coca-Cola). Discussions explored superintelligent machines, new economic models, and breakthroughs in longevity, alongside mounting pressures related to jobs, climate, geopolitics, energy, and the cost of living, reinforcing the urgency of JA’s mission.
INJAZ AL-ARAB/JA MENA
In partnership with Oliver Wyman, INJAZ Al-Arab launched a region-wide effort to reconnect with its alumni community and better understand the long-term impact of the INJAZ journey on their careers, ambitions, and life choices. More than a survey, this initiative represents a strategic investment in the future of the INJAZ Alumni Network, creating a platform for reflection, engagement, and insight gathering from a generation of young leaders shaped by INJAZ programs. Through this collaboration, INJAZ aims to strengthen alumni pathways, deepen community connections, and leverage data-driven insights to shape more responsive, future-focused learning and leadership opportunities across the MENA region. INJAZ alumni are invited to take the survey today.
JA AMERICAS
A new impact study by Junior Achievement Americas reveals significant outcomes for young women entering the tech workforce across Latin America through JA’s employability and digital skills initiatives.
The study, “Women in Tech Careers: Findings from Junior Achievement’s Employability Programs in Latin America,” was conducted between October 2025 and January 2026 and combined quantitative and qualitative methodologies to generate rigorous evidence on employment, income, confidence, and career readiness outcomes among participants.
The findings are significant. After completing the program, participants showed . . .
33% increase in average income among graduates
62% of employed graduates working in technology roles
19 percentage point increase in formal employment (12% → 31%)
These outcomes are especially relevant considering the profile of participants upon entry: 85% were unemployed, 56% lived in vulnerable conditions, 36% had dependents, and 26% were heads of household. For many participants, accessing a technology job represented not only a professional opportunity, but also greater economic autonomy and long-term stability for their families.
The study also highlights the importance of combining technical training with socio-emotional development, mentorship, and employability support. Graduates reported stronger self-confidence in professional settings, improved communication skills, and greater adaptability and teamwork capabilities.
In parallel, the evaluation analyzed 79,244 job searches and 3,655 technology-sector job postings across participating countries. The labor market analysis reinforced several aspects of the program design: only 39% of tech job postings targeted entry-level profiles—compared to 59% in other sectors—while 60% required socioemotional skills alongside technical capabilities.
The initiatives evaluated through the study have reached more than 5,200 women across Brazil, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico. More than 2,500 participants earned certifications in Cybersecurity and Web Development, and over 1,630 participants secured employment opportunities.
The study was developed in the context of She’s Digital, a regional initiative co-created with IDB Lab and currently supported by Kyndryl Foundation, Cisco, Delta, and Valvoline.
Beyond the program itself, the study contributes evidence to a broader regional conversation: expanding women’s participation in technology requires not only technical access, but also confidence-building, career exposure, and sustained pathways into employment. Read the full report.
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT USA
Junior Achievement USA recently announced a strategic partnership with leading financial technology company Chime to empower students with critical financial and career-readiness skills. The partnership will support the evolution of JA Finance Park—a hands-on educational experience designed to help middle and high school students confidently manage money—with rollouts set to officially begin this year in Denver, Minneapolis, Peoria, and San Francisco.
JA EUROPE
At the European Parliament, JA Europe and UPS celebrated the winners of the UPS Healthcare Award, recognizing young entrepreneurs developing innovative solutions for the future of healthcare. The long-standing partnership continues to connect youth innovation with industry expertise and policy visibility at European level. Read more.
JA Europe and Euronext recognized Europe’s next generation of innovators through the Euronext Blue Challenge, spotlighting youth-led solutions focused on sustainability and the blue economy. The partnership helps inspire young entrepreneurs to address environmental challenges through innovation and enterprise. Read more.
JA Europe published Youth Voices for the Future of Europe, a policy recommendations paper co-created by JA Alumni and participants in the Pulse Z initiative, bringing together young people’s perspectives on democracy, digital life, and the future of work. The brief presents concrete recommendations directly from youth, reinforcing JA’s commitment to ensuring young voices help shape the policies and decisions that will define Europe’s future. Read more.
JA Ireland’s Energize program is engaging primary school students in STEM and sustainability learning through a structured experiential curriculum, supported by the Department of Education and Youth, Research Ireland, and Gas Networks Ireland. The program demonstrates the power of public-private collaboration in preparing future talent. Read more.
Through JA Europe’s Sci-Tech program, supported by strategic partners working to strengthen STEM learning and innovation pathways for young people, Xenion High School in Cyprus earned the title of Best STEM School, with team Spaghets recognized for their creativity and applied STEM skills. The initiative highlights how experiential learning can turn classroom science into real-world innovation. Read more.
MILESTONES
AWARDS
JA Singapore received the AmCham CARES High Distinction at the 2026 Singapore awards (see more).
At the 2026 Stevie Awards, JA Philippines partnerships received the following honors:
Wells Fargo received the Bronze Stevie Award for the Accredited Financial Literacy Training Certification Program
Johnson & Johnson Philippines received a Silver Stevie Award for the "Through the Years of EduComics: Inspiring the Next Generation of STEM Leaders" program under the WiSTEM²D initiative
Prudence Foundation and Pru Life UK earned a Silver Stevie Award for Cha-Ching: From Lessons to Lifetimes
GOVERNMENT PARTNERSHIPS
Prestasi Junior Indonesia signed an MOU with a regency government yesterday, integrating JA programs into the public school curriculum and unlocking the potential to prepare thousands of young people for workplace readiness, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship. (See more.)
Young Enterprise UK joined a high-level discussion at 10 Downing Street on scaling youth enterprise across the UK, alongside education, business, and government stakeholders. The conversation reinforced JA’s role not only in programme delivery, but in shaping national policy discussions around entrepreneurship, social mobility, and opportunity for young people. (Read more.)
ANNIVERSARIES
JA Spain celebrated its 25th anniversary by convening business leaders in Madrid for a high-level discussion on youth employability, artificial intelligence, and the future of work. Bringing together partners including Accenture, KPMG, and ManpowerGroup, the event highlighted the growing importance of adaptability, continuous learning, and human skills in an AI-driven economy. (Read more.)