Celebrating
Years of EMpower
This year, EMpower proudly celebrates 25 years—a quarter of a century of partnering with local organisations in emerging market countries and other change-makers to enable marginalised young people to transform their lives and communities.
Explore our major milestones over the 25 years and learn more about our unique funding model.
Committed to centring young people in our work, most of the photos on our website are by and of young people.
The Latest from EMpower
A Word with Sneha Kohli
EMpower President and CEO Cynthia Steele recently spoke with Sneha Kohli, an EMpower Board Member and seasoned finance professional, about her return to India after nearly 28 years, her passion for philanthropy, and the role of the finance community in creating opportunities for young people.
Read the full interviewFrom Profits to Purpose: Lessons from Both Worlds
In this month's blog, Suvidha Hughes, EMpower's Vice President for People and Operations, reflects on her transition from the corporate sector to the nonprofit world and what both sectors can learn from each other. She highlights three key elements that drive success in any organisation—people, performance, and money—and how they manifest differently across industries.
Read the blogBringing Together Fixed Income Trading and Global Youth Empowerment
MarketAxess, the world’s leading trading platform for emerging markets debt and EMpower partner, also turns 25 this year. In celebration of our dual anniversaries, The DESK spoke with Cynthia Steele and Toby West, Chief Marketing Officer at MarketAxess, about the crucial partnership between financial services and philanthropy.
Read the ArticleOur 2025 Commitments
For 25 years, EMpower has believed in the transformative power of young people. Now, we’re expanding our impact with five bold commitments—built on the lessons of our past and a vision for a thriving future for all young people.
Learn more about our journey and commitmentsEMpower at 25: Driving Change, Shaping Futures
Jeremy Llewelyn, Chair of EMpower’s Global Executive Committee, pens a letter reflecting on EMpower’s mission, our adaptations over time, and our vision for a brighter future with young people at the centre.
Read the letterEMpower Impact to Date
Since 2000, we have worked alongside local organisations and young people to advance innovative programming and best practices to enable youth to live their full potential.
1,650
Grants Made
$61 Million
Awarded
1 Million
Youth Directly Impacted
3.6 Million
Lives Touched
Our Areas of Focus
Publications
Learning Together
Our Adolescent Girls Learning Communities in Mumbai and Delhi—safe spaces where girls can come together and be in the driver’s seat—recently celebrated their 10th anniversary. This toolkit features the voices and expertise of these girls and includes practical and actionable guidance for individuals and organisations planning girl-centred programmes. It includes fresh ideas on how to create and sustain programmes that enable girls to lead, in their own lives and in their communities.
Connect with EMpower
Stay up-to-date on the latest EMpower news, highlights from our grantee partners, upcoming events, and more.
Make a Difference with EMpower
Our Board Directors and the Leadership Council underwrite all of our Management, General and Fundraising expenses, so 100% of your donation goes directly to empowering marginalised young people.
