Girl Rising and HP Foundation Launch ‘Unmuted’ to Amplify Young Voices
The global storytelling challenge invites young people aged 14–25 to share their ideas, experiences and hopes for the future, marking 10 years of partnership between the organisations.
Girl Rising and the HP Foundation have launched Unmuted, a global storytelling challenge that gives young people a platform to share their stories and ideas.
The challenge is open to young people aged 14–25. Submissions will be accepted from 26 October 2026 to 15 January 2027 through the Unmuted website.
A youth council and a panel of judges will review the entries in February and March 2027. The panel includes actors Freida Pinto and David Oyelowo, along with Nabila Aguele, CEO of Malala Fund. Selected stories will appear on social media between March and October 2027.
A Platform for Young Storytellers
Unmuted offers a range of prompts to help young people share their views. These include “A rule I would rewrite”, “Someone the world should know”, “A moment I surprised myself” and “My vision for the future of work”.
Participants can submit their stories in any language and creative format. These may include writing, films, photography, drawings, animation and spoken word.
“Every day we see what happens when young people tell their own story. They see life differently, they see themselves differently, and so do the people around them. Unmuted is an invitation to young people everywhere to share their lived experiences, their dreams, and their ideas with the world.” – Nidhi Shukla, Co-CEO, Girl Rising
Selected Stories May Feature in a Documentary
Selected entries will also be considered for a short documentary film. Girl Rising is developing the film with Yoruba Saxon, the production company founded by actor, director and producer David Oyelowo.
The film will bring together young people from different cultures and communities. It will present a shared view of how they see themselves and their future.
“There is a freshness, honesty and power in every story told by a young person. I believe storytelling is transformational because it puts the power to question, imagine and create change in young people’s hands. I’m excited to work with these young storytellers from across the world, help bring their stories to the big screen, and partner with Girl Rising to ensure young people take Centre stage…not just in the stories we tell, but in shaping the world they live in.” – David Oyelowo, actor, director, and producer, Yoruba Saxon
Story Lab to Build Creative Skills
Selected participants will also join the first cohort of Girl Rising’s Story Lab. The three-month virtual programme will launch in 2027.
Through the programme, participants will develop their storytelling skills with support from mentors across the media and technology industries.
“I’ve always believed young people need more than a seat at the table; they need the freedom and agency to question, imagine and shape the future they want to live in.
That’s the power of storytelling: it gives them the space to speak their truth and say what needs to change. I’m excited to be part of Unmuted and can’t wait to see the world through young people’s eyes and hear the stories only they can tell.” – Frieda Pinto, Actor, Producer and Girl Rising Ambassador
A Decade of Partnership
Storytelling has been central to Girl Rising since the release of its founding film in 2013. Unmuted builds on the organisation’s 2020 My Story challenge, which it launched with the HP Foundation. That initiative received more than 800 entries from over 50 countries. This new challenge expands the format and welcomes a wider audience.
The launch also marks 10 years of partnership between Girl Rising and the HP Foundation. Together, the organisations have helped more than 28 million young people across India build confidence and digital skills to navigate a changing world.
“For ten years, HP and Girl Rising have shared a belief that young people need both the skills to shape the future and the space to be heard. Unmuted is that belief in action. We can’t wait to see what this generation creates, and what the world will get to hear.” – Michele Malejki, Global Head of Social Impact, HP Inc. and Executive Director, HP Foundation
Nabila Aguele also highlighted the role of young people in shaping the future.
“Young people have the fresh perspectives, bold ideas and creative energy the world needs to shape its future. Unmuted creates the space for them to think, reflect and tell their stories, in whatever form feels right to them. These stories have the power to spark change, not just in young people’s own lives, but in their communities and across their countries. I can’t wait to hear their voices, discover their ideas and see the world through their eyes.” – Nabila Aguele, CEO, Malala Fund
Through Unmuted, Girl Rising and the HP Foundation aim to give young people more opportunities to share their experiences and shape conversations about the future.
Young people can submit their stories at unmuted.girlrising.org.
