citiesabc, first_page
Girl Rising and HP Foundation Launch ‘Unmuted’ to Give Young People a Voice in Shaping the Future
29 Oct 2026
The global storytelling challenge invites young people aged 14–25 to share their experiences, ambitions and ideas through film, writing, photography and other creative formats. Selected stories could become part of a documentary produced with David Oyelowo's Yoruba Saxon, while emerging storytellers will have opportunities for mentorship through a new Story Lab.
Girl Rising and the HP Foundation have launched Unmuted, a global storytelling initiative inviting young people aged 14–25 to share their perspectives on the issues shaping their communities and futures.
Launched on 26 October 2026, the challenge welcomes submissions from young people worldwide, in any language and through creative formats including writing, filmmaking, photography, drawing, animation and spoken word. Participants are encouraged to explore their lived experiences, aspirations and ideas for social change.
The initiative marks ten years of collaboration between Girl Rising and the HP Foundation, a partnership focused on education, digital skills and expanding opportunities for young people.
Submissions are open until 15 January 2027, with selected participants eligible for global recognition, documentary development and mentorship through a new three-month Story Lab.
Creating a Global Platform for Youth Participation
Across cities and communities, young people are affected by decisions concerning education, technology, employment, climate change and social development. Yet their perspectives are not always represented in the institutions and conversations shaping those decisions.
Unmuted seeks to create a space where young people can communicate their experiences directly, without requiring them to adopt a particular professional or artistic background.
The challenge includes prompts such as “A rule I would rewrite,” “Someone the world should know,” and “My vision for the future of work.” These questions encourage participants to examine their personal experiences alongside wider concerns affecting society.
Rather than limiting participation to one language or storytelling format, the initiative allows young people to express themselves through the medium that best reflects their ideas.
Nidhi Shukla, Co-CEO of Girl Rising, explained the purpose of the programme:
Unmuted is an invitation to young people everywhere to share their lived experiences, their dreams, and their ideas with the world.
For communities, such projects can help bring greater attention to young people's experiences and provide opportunities for dialogue across cultural, geographical and social boundaries.
From Local Stories to a Global Documentary
One of the initiative's central ambitions is to bring selected stories to international audiences through film.
Unmuted is being developed in collaboration with Yoruba Saxon, the production company founded by award-winning actor, director and producer David Oyelowo.
Oyelowo is known for performances in films including Selma, Queen of Katwe, A United Kingdom and The Butler.
According to the programme's official website, up to 20 participants will have the opportunity to develop their stories further and be considered for inclusion in a documentary. This does not mean every shortlisted story will ultimately appear in the film.
The project aims to bring together perspectives from different cultures and communities, creating a collective portrait of how young people understand their lives and imagine the future.
Oyelowo emphasised the importance of allowing young people to influence the stories told about their generation, describing storytelling as a means of questioning established ideas and creating change.
The Story Lab: Developing the Next Generation of Storytellers
Beyond the storytelling challenge, Unmuted will introduce Girl Rising's inaugural Story Lab in 2027.
Up to 15 participants will be selected for the three-month virtual programme, where they will receive guidance from mentors working in media and technology.
The initiative aims to help emerging creators improve their storytelling skills, develop ideas and connect with professionals who can support their creative development.
Technology resources may also be provided where necessary, helping participants overcome practical barriers to taking part.
For young people who lack access to professional filmmaking equipment, media networks or formal creative training, such support could be valuable.
The Story Lab connects the act of sharing a personal experience with the longer-term development of communication and creative skills.
A Decade of Partnership Supporting Youth Development
Unmuted marks the tenth anniversary of Girl Rising's partnership with the HP Foundation.
According to the organisations, their collaboration has helped more than 28 million young people across India develop confidence and digital skills.
The new initiative builds on the 2020 My Story challenge, which attracted more than 800 submissions from over 50 countries.
While previous programmes focused on educational opportunities and self-expression, Unmuted expands the storytelling approach by welcoming multiple creative formats and inviting participation from a wider international audience.
The HP Foundation, the nonprofit organisation of HP Inc., focuses on increasing access to technology, business education and economic opportunities.
Michele Malejki, Global Head of Social Impact at HP Inc. and Executive Director of the HP Foundation, said the partnership reflects the belief that young people need both the skills to prepare for the future and opportunities to be heard.
Girl Rising also works through educational programmes, mentorship and community partnerships that support girls, young people and the people involved in their development.
How Unmuted Works: Key Dates and Opportunities
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Initiative | Unmuted |
| Organisers | Girl Rising and HP Foundation |
| Eligible participants | Young people aged 14–25 |
| Geographical scope | Worldwide |
| Languages | Any language |
| Creative formats | Writing, video, photography, drawing, animation, spoken word and more |
| Submissions opened | 26 October 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 15 January 2027 |
| Judging period | February–March 2027 |
| Recognition | Up to 50 selected stories in a digital publication |
| Documentary development | Up to 20 participants considered for further story development |
| Story Lab | Up to 15 participants in a three-month virtual programme |
| Submission website | https://unmuted.girlrising.org |
The judging panel includes David Oyelowo, actor and Girl Rising ambassador Freida Pinto, Malala Fund CEO Nabila Aguele and Girl Rising's Youth Council.
The programme's official information also specifies that participants using AI-assisted tools must disclose their use and follow the challenge's originality guidelines.
Why Youth Voices Matter for the Future of Cities
The relevance of Unmuted extends beyond the creative industries.
Cities are shaped by education systems, local economies, public institutions, technology and the social experiences of the people who live within them.
Young people are affected by changes in employment opportunities, digital access, housing, environmental conditions and community participation.
Storytelling offers a way for these experiences to become visible, especially when formal consultation processes do not always reach younger populations.
A young person's account of their neighbourhood, educational journey or aspirations for employment can provide insight into the opportunities and challenges experienced by a community.
However, creative participation should complement rather than replace meaningful involvement in public decision-making.
For organisations working in education, urban development and youth empowerment, initiatives such as Unmuted provide an opportunity to listen to perspectives that may otherwise receive limited attention.
How to Participate in Unmuted
Young people aged 14–25 can submit their work through the official Unmuted platform before 15 January 2027.
Submissions can be made in any language and through a range of creative formats. The programme also provides prompts and guidance for participants who need help getting started.
Selected stories will receive opportunities for wider exposure, with potential participation in documentary development and the inaugural Story Lab.
As cities and societies prepare for technological, environmental and economic change, initiatives such as Unmuted highlight the importance of including younger generations in discussions about their future.
The programme's central message is that young people should not only be represented in stories about social change but have opportunities to tell those stories themselves.
Submit a story: https://unmuted.girlrising.org
Sources
- Girl Rising, Unmuted — Official Programme Website.
https://www.girlrising.org/unmuted - Girl Rising, Girl Rising and the HP Foundation Launch Unmuted, 26 October 2026.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/girl-rising-and-the-hp-foundation-launch-unmuted-a-global-storytelling-challenge-bringing-young-peoples-voices-to-the-world-stage-302919336.html - Girl Rising, Official Organisation Website.
https://www.girlrising.org/ - Official submission platform.
https://unmuted.girlrising.org/
