YFU & Made Impact
YFU joins Made Impact as a founding partner to strengthen the global case for international exchange
Youth For Understanding (YFU) has joined Made Impact as a founding partner in a global initiative to strengthen the evidence, visibility, and recognition of international exchange and education worldwide.
The partnership comes at a time of increasing geopolitical tension, societal polarization, and declining trust across borders, reinforcing the need for meaningful intercultural engagement. International exchange has long contributed to mutual understanding, the development of globally minded leaders, and peaceful cooperation across borders. Yet its broader societal value remains insufficiently reflected in policy and investment priorities for more resilient and connected societies.
“At YFU, education for peace through intercultural exchange has been at the core of our mission since the organization was founded,” said Gregory Matheson, Secretary General of YFU. “Our partnership with Made Impact reflects a shared commitment not only to promoting these programs, but also to building a stronger global understanding of the long-term value these experiences create for individuals, communities, and societies.”
Made Impact was established to address this gap
The initiative is built around two flagship components. A Million Stories aims to create the world’s largest archive of international exchange experiences, while the World Storyteller Project equips young people to document and share the lived impact of exchange. Together, these efforts connect personal stories with broader social outcomes, demonstrating how exchange contributes not only to individual growth, but also to peacebuilding, prosperity, and social cohesion.
This work is complemented by a research and advocacy agenda that will build the evidence base for the long-term societal return in investment of international exchange and education. A shared long-term ambition is to achieve stronger global recognition for the field, including support for a future Nobel Peace Prize nomination. A key space for advancing this work is the International Exchange & Education Summit where industry leaders, youth and education advocates, and policy stakeholders come together to strengthen collaboration and collective impact across the field.
For YFU, becoming a founding partner is a natural extension of our mission and history
“YFU is the ideal founding partner for Made Impact because they understand that the future of international education & exchange relies on collective, data-backed advocacy,” said Chris Arnold, Founder of Made Impact. “Their deep history and vast global network provide the exact scale we need to build the world’s largest archive of exchange data. We are thrilled to have YFU by our side as we prove the macro-impact of cultural connection on global peace and prosperity.”
The collaboration reflects a broader shift in the sector away from relying primarily on individual narratives toward a more collective and evidence-based case for the societal value of international exchange and education, a shift that invites stronger collaboration across the global exchange community.
Discover Made Impact and learn how to get involved.