The UNAIDS Youth Programme works with youth as beneficiaries, partners and leaders of the HIV response. It is founded on three cornerstone principles, with a robust, cross-cutting focus on advocacy: policy, participation and partnership.

The Youth Programme was launched in 2012 and was based on the CrowdOutAIDS recommendations developed in collaboration with more than 5000 young people. It advocates for evidence-informed policy through increased strategic information and fosters a decentralized, organic youth-led movement in the AIDS response. The Youth Programme strengthens young people’s leadership skills and their ability to operate in a framework that advances evidence-informed HIV responses.