The initiative includes a $100 million philanthropic commitment to prepare 500,000 young people, ages 16-24, in cities around the world for today’s competitive job market by 2020. To support these efforts, Citi is mobilizing 10,000 employee volunteers to serve as mentors and coaches and to provide professional advice to help move young people towards their career goals. Pathways to Progress supports programs that help young people build an entrepreneurial mindset, acquire leadership, financial and workplace skills, and begin to engage in the formal economy through a first job.

In all corners of the globe, today’s youth generation faces a common challenge: persistent youth unemployment. Left unaddressed, the consequences reverberate across our cities. When young people don’t see or have a sustainable economic path, our families and communities suffer. In fact, the futures of cities are intrinsically tied to the economic success of young people. According to the Citi Foundation’s recently commissioned Global Youth Survey, young people remain optimistic, entrepreneurial, and have expectations for what they need to succeed. However, without access to the opportunities they need, their potential and optimism is wasted. Through the Pathways to Progress initiative, the Citi Foundation is investing $100 million globally in programming that is focused on providing youth with entrepreneurship training, mentorship, leadership development and first job opportunities. The Citi Foundation partners with leading community organizations and municipal leaders on targeted investments that test, scale and replicate proven interventions, while collaborating with others to share what’s working and what needs to be improved. To complement these efforts, Citi is mobilizing 10,000 employee volunteers  to offer their time and expertise as mentors, coaches and role models to young people in support of their career progress and aspirations.

Citi Foundation