When people ask what gives me hope right now, I have a three-word answer: young people leading. From community projects to global coalitions, from high school organizing to national policy influence, young leaders are defining the future and they’re doing it their way.
The Center for Rising Generations (CRG) exists to support, elevate, and connect that momentum. And this month, I’m proud to introduce you to the community we’re building together.
If you’re asking, “What is the Center for Rising Generations,” I’ve got you covered. CRG is a hub for youth leadership, civic imagination, and bridging generations for collective impact. We work across disciplines and communities to ensure that young people have access to civil discourse, leadership development, and civic engagement opportunities.
CRG brings together five powerful Aspen Institute programs with unique histories, voices, and audiences. Together, they form an ecosystem of opportunity, mentorship, and action:
- Aspen Challenge equips high schoolers to tackle real-world issues with creativity, courage, and community impact.
- Education & Society Program (ESP) advances national public education outcomes by informing and inspiring education leaders with a clear focus on achieving success for all students.
- Stevens Initiative connects young people around the world through virtual exchange to build understanding, skills, and global citizenship.
- Aspen Young Leaders Fellowship (AYLF) supports young leaders ages 18-24 as they grow their civic identity and design transformative change in their communities.
- Center for Native American Youth (CNAY) works alongside Native youth, ages 24 and under, to advocate for improved health, safety, and overall well-being on reservations, in rural villages, and urban spaces across the country.
Each of these programs is rooted in deep community relationships, led by passionate teams, and committed to honoring the unique lived experiences of the young people they serve.
Each program is a force on its own but together, they represent a hub for youth-powered change.
Our role at CRG is to create the connective tissue. That means building shared platforms where stories are amplified, leadership is nurtured, and cross-program connections create new possibilities. It means unifying our voice around what youth need to lead.
We believe in mentorship that lasts a lifetime, in leadership that reflects community, culture, and context, and in systems that serve, not silence, the next generation.
Throughout August, our “Meet the Movement” campaign will spotlight the young people at the heart of our work. You’ll meet student leaders, organizers, and educators, who are showing us what’s possible when we listen to young people and follow their lead.
This is an invitation to support youth-led ideas, to amplify youth voices, and to join a community that’s already shaping what comes next.
Follow along and share their stories:
#AspenRisingGenerations #YouthLeadNow
Introducing: The Groupchat
We’re building an ecosystem of youth-led change and bold leadership. Subscribe to our Substack for powerful stories, big ideas, and real impact from the rising generation.