Exploring Meaning in Young Lives
The Youth Meaningfulness Index (YMI) aims to explore and measure how youth experience meaning in their lives.
YMI was born in 2022 from a simple yet profound dream: to go beyond traditional perspectives of youth and children’s well-being and focus on how they experience meaning in their lives, placing them rightfully at the center of this global conversation. We often speak about future generations, but the future of children is shaped today.
RISING FROM THE MARGINS:
Lasu Manasi on Youth Voice and the Meaning of Change
Youth Meaningfulness Index (YMI) place the youth, their voices, and their lived experiences at the center of global conversations about well-being and purpose. One of those voices is Lasu Manasi, an 18-year-old South Sudanese refugee living in Uganda, an entrepreneur, and a changemaker.
Meaning as a driver of growth
For Lasu, meaningfulness is not abstract. It’s “the great value of a person”—something that must reflect not just in individual lives, but in the decisions they’re empowered to make. He speaks of YMI’s role in shifting mindsets, helping young people understand their own value, while encouraging others to listen: families, communities, policymakers.
He sees meaningfulness as both internal and social: “It’s not about how big you are, but if you’re small, how can you still be seen and make people understand your growth?”
Despite YMI’s inclusive methodology, Lasu raises a critical point: digital access remains a barrier. Many youth in his community, especially refugees, struggle with limited internet access and devices. He advocates for creative solutions—podcasts, local radio shows, and simplified tools—to reach more young people where they are. “Everyone will love to share at their own will—if only they had the tools.”
Lasu brings a growth mindset to everything he does. As a social entrepreneur working with women on storytelling, creativity, and confidence, he is deeply committed to using his experience to uplift others. “Since learning about YMI, I think: What else is missing? What more can I add to help others understand what is meaningful to them?”
His reflections highlight YMI’s strength—not just as a data tool, but as a movement of reflection, empowerment, and change.
Lasu’s perspective as a South Sudanese refugee adds urgency to the YMI mission. In a nation marked by conflict and displacement, young people are often silenced. But Lasu sees YMI as a potential bridge: “There are decisions that require a youth’s voice. This could help youth in Sudan reflect on what truly drives them—even when displaced, even when in crisis.”
We believe that the YMI will be a powerful tool for policy makers to help young people increase meaning in their lives.
Young people are facing an unprecedented mental health crisis. At the same time, research indicates a growing trend among youth towards conscious living a meaningful life.
+ 10K Surveyed
In Phase I of the YMI we collected responses from a total of 10,006 children and adolescents
9 Countries
The YMI team has global partners from Algeria, Denmark, Germany, India, Morocco, Norway, Peru, Ukraine, and the United States.
23 Sub-Drivers
23 sub-drivers of meaning in youth were identified in Phase I of the YMI
In developing the YMI we aim to understand:
Drivers
What are the drivers of meaningfulness in young people?
Impact
What impact does meaningfulness have on educational and other socio-development outcomes?
Development
What role does meaning in life play in development more broadly?
Global Perspectives
How is meaningfulness experienced by children across different countries and cultures, and across different socio-economic groups?
Education
How can education prepare young people for leading a meaningful life?
Educators
What role can educators play in encouraging and supporting meaning?
TAKE PART IN THE JOURNEY
Why Invest in the YMI?
The Youth Meaningfulness Index (YMI) is built on the belief that every child and young person deserves to live a life of meaning—but this vision cannot be realized without dedicated, sustained support. Funding the YMI means funding a movement that places young people at the center of research, policy, and practice.
Evidence-Based Impact
The YMI translates rich, participatory data into actionable insights for governments, schools, and civil society. Your support ensures that evidence turns into action.
Scalable, Open, and Inclusive
With data from over 6,000 youth across 7 countries—and plans to expand to 10+ countries in 2025—the YMI is designed to scale equitably. All tools and findings are open-source.
Youth-Led by Design
The YMI empowers youth through its Youth Advisory Council, community-based data collection, and co-authorship of findings. Funding ensures that youth leadership remains central.
Fanny Marchand
Director, Voluntās Foundation
fma@voluntas.com
Niklas Kabel Pedersen
CEO, Voluntās Advisory
nkp@voluntas.com
Join us in creating a meaningful future for the youth.
To explore funding partnerships, contact:
The YMI is hosted by the Voluntās Foundation, a not-for-profit platform rooted in values of dignity, equity, and youth-centered change. All funding is reported transparently, and donors receive regular updates, impact briefs, and invitations to learning events and youth panels.