Young people from across Bougainville gathered at Christmas Park in Arawa to mark International Youth Day (IYD) with a vibrant celebration of innovation, sustainability, and cultural pride. Organized by the Bougainville Youth Federation, the event brought together members from all 17 district youth associations, along with students from Arawa Secondary School, Erama Flexible Open Distance Education (FODE), and Central Bougainville FODE. This year’s celebration, themed “Local Youth Actions for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Beyond,” showcased how Bougainvillean youth are using local knowledge and innovation to build a more sustainable future. Festivities kicked off with a colorful march past by schoolchildren and youth representatives, followed by panel discussions and live demonstrations of youth-led projects. Among the standout presentations, the Siwai District Youth Association showcased how they produce organic poultry feed using local ingredients such as cassava, grated coconut, eggshells, and yams, cutting costs for farmers and promoting sustainable agriculture. They also revealed a traditional practice that boosts egg production in hens using wild taro leaves, blending indigenous knowledge with modern techniques. The Tinputz District Youth Association shared the success of their financial literacy training, which led to the creation of the Tinputz Youth Association Savings and Loan Initiative, a grassroots micro-finance scheme helping young people manage and grow their income. Other youth groups displayed products made from organic coconut and shared sustainable farming methods, highlighting the creativity, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit of Bougainville’s young people. Cultural performances, including a show-stopping act by 2024 Bougainville Voice Xplosion (BVX) winners Cameroon Mukunu and Michael Dave, added energy and pride to the day’s events. The celebration was supported through the Bougainville Partnership program, a collaboration between the Autonomous Bougainville Government’s Department of Community Development, Australia, and New Zealand, which provides ongoing support to the Bougainville Youth Federation- the region’s peak youth body. Autonomous Bougainville Government Minister for Community Development, Morris Opeti, praised the youth for their innovative contributions and thanked Australia and New Zealand for their continued partnership. He also acknowledged the work of outgoing First Secretary of the Australian Development Assistance Office in Bougainville, Dr Fiona Crockford, for her dedication to youth-led development initiatives across the region.