XLIS Student Receives 2026 IB Global Youth Action Fund Award

Tianyue (Tim) Yuwen M5A

Jingyue (Joy) Wang  M5A

Melody (Melody) Lei M5A

Meixi (Maisie) Guo M5A

Alice Mia (Alice) Alexander M1B

 

The IB Global Youth Action Fund

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Global Youth Action Fund is an initiative that supports student-led service projects aimed at creating meaningful change in their communities. In 2026, the IB selected 110 outstanding projects across 42 countries, recognising young people who demonstrate creativity, leadership, and a strong commitment to addressing real-world challenges.

 

The fund provides financial support of up to USD 3,000.00 to help students scale their initiatives, improve sustainability, and increase their overall impact. It reflects the IB’s mission to develop active, compassionate, and lifelong learners who contribute to a better and more peaceful world. 

 

The Same Dream Project

“Same Dream” is a volunteer service project dedicated to supporting left-behind children in Xi’an, initiated by Maisie Guo from M5A. These children often grow up without parental company and lack consistent access to quality.

 

The project offers multi-subject volunteer-led classes, including art, music, English, science, and physical education. For the art curriculum, the team has partnered with students from a local art academy to develop a standardised art education toolkit. This toolkit contains complete lesson slides, teacher scripts, student worksheets, and activity guides, enabling any volunteer or local teacher to deliver a professional and engaging art class, even without an art background.

 

For other subjects such as music, English, science, and PE, volunteers are encouraged to prepare and lead their own lessons based on their personal skills and passions. This multi-disciplinary approach allows volunteers to share what they love while providing children with a well-rounded learning experience.

 

By connecting passionate student volunteers with children in need, “Same Dream” aims to turn short-term visits into lasting impact. The project is grounded in the belief that every child deserves the chance to learn, create, and dream, regardless of where they grow up.

 

How the Award Powers the Project

The IB Global Youth Action Fund will enable the “Same Dream” project to expand its reach and improve the quality of its delivery. The funding will be allocated strategically to ensure sustainability and long-term impact:

 

• 30% – Digital Platforms & Tools: To build online systems that support lesson sharing, communication, and project management.

• 28% – Professional Content Creation: To develop high-quality, structured learning materials for volunteers and students.

• 14% – Promotion Activities: To raise awareness and attract more volunteers and community support.

• 13% – Project Contingency Fund: To ensure flexibility and stability in managing unexpected challenges.

• 7% – Pilot Classroom Materials: To provide essential teaching resources for trial classes.

• 5% – Team Transportation: To support volunteer travel to project locations.

• 3% – Data Security & Backup: To protect and maintain important project data.

 

Looking Ahead: Future Aspirations

With the support of the IB Global Youth Action Fund, the “Same Dream” project aims to grow into a more sustainable and far-reaching initiative. The team hopes to:

 

• Inspire more student volunteers to participate and take leadership roles

• Build stronger partnerships with the local community

• Gain support from schools and educational institutions

• Collaborate with local government to expand access and impact

 

Ultimately, the vision is to create a scalable model that can be replicated in other communities, ensuring that more children have access to meaningful learning opportunities and a brighter future.

 

Click here for more details.

 

Author:

Maisie Guo (M5A)

Hakim Halim (Secondary Physical and Health Education Teacher, Service As Action Co-Coordinator)