In the face of shrinking international aid and dwindling support from affluent countries, finding innovative funding sources and motivating a new wave of advocates has become increasingly crucial for humanitarian efforts. Global Citizen is addressing these challenges by expanding its reach further than ever before.
As traditional means of international cooperation waver under the strain of reduced foreign aid, Global Citizen, an anti-poverty organization, is broadening its flagship summit’s audience across the globe. Additionally, they are capitalizing on a recent partnership with FIFA to bolster fundraising for educational initiatives. These efforts form part of Global Citizen’s strategy to galvanize 50 million individuals by the year 2029.
Hugh Evans, Founder of Global Citizen, emphasized the current climate of hopelessness felt by many, while also highlighting a shared optimism grounded in prioritizing collective service over personal gain. In a statement delivered at Global Citizen NOW, Evans outlined a plan to engage youth across five continents over the next 18 months, emphasizing the urgent need to reinforce societal bonds.
The organization inaugurated a pivotal year with its annual conference in New York City, employing a technique it has perfected since its inception in 2008: uniting artists, political figures, and business leaders around shared solutions to pressing global crises. The event featured performances by artists like James Blake, Wyclef Jean, and Seu Jorge, alongside impassioned calls from actors such as Hugh Jackman, Laverne Cox, and Rachel Brosnahan.
The landscape has undergone significant alterations since the previous year’s summit. The United States, under the Trump administration, made substantial cuts to international aid, downsized contributions to United Nations programs assisting vulnerable groups, and reduced funding for crucial emergency programs in impoverished nations.
Despite these global development upheavals, speakers at the conference remained committed to a cooperative approach involving public, private, and philanthropic stakeholders. Highlighting this commitment, Global Citizen is organizing summits in cities like Detroit, Belém, Seville, and Johannesburg.
Amina Mohammed, U.N. Deputy Secretary-General, underscored the crisis in international cooperation, advocating for a steadfast defense of shared principles. Gargee Ghosh from the Gates Foundation noted unprecedented challenges in global collaboration, making it vital to finance impactful initiatives, such as the global vaccine coalition Gavi. She maintained that investing in solidarity and collective prosperity produces remarkable outcomes.
As some major donor countries, including the U.S., Germany, and France, recede from these roles, the need for increased private sector involvement becomes clear, according to several panelists.
A notable example of creative partnership is Global Citizen’s collaboration with FIFA. Gianni Infantino, FIFA President, announced the creation of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, with the objective of raising $100 million for grassroots educational and life skills programs facilitated through soccer.
Sierra Leone’s Chief Minister, David Moinina Sengeh, cited the fund as concrete evidence of Global Citizen’s capacity to effect change beyond rhetoric, demonstrating a proactive approach towards establishing a sports-driven global education fund.
The fund will benefit from proceeds, including a dollar from each ticket sold at the upcoming Club World Cup tournament, held in 11 American cities this summer. Contributions will also flow from The Weeknd’s 2025 stadium tour and donations facilitated by Shift4’s ecommerce network.
This initiative builds on a previous agreement allowing Global Citizen supporters to access match tickets by promoting humanitarian causes. Evans expressed intent to leverage the massive audience of international soccer, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to advance global good.
“We recognized the potential of having two of the largest global stages available over the next few years,” Evans stated. “These events promise to engage more people than even the Olympics or the Super Bowl. Our challenge is to harness this immense influence for the betterment of society.”