Pillar Foundation International is a U.S. 501(c)(3) non-profit holding Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) — a youth- and women-led network molding the next generation of leaders.
A close network of interdisciplinary, international collaborators passionate about the societal issues that challenge equal opportunity all over the globe.
Pillar Foundation International is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization based in the United States of America, with Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
Through creating connections that wouldn’t otherwise exist, we aim to cultivate an educated community of changemakers who will create waves in the fields that matter most. Here, it’s all about unleashing potential, driving collaboration, and fostering genuine relationships.
Leaders for a sustainable world.
To mold next-generation leaders to cultivate a better world.
To empower young people to identify and solve challenges in their communities by providing them with the leadership skills to develop a vision for sustainable development.
Pillar Foundation is focused on research and education projects to achieve the 17 SDGs — the blueprint for a better and more sustainable future for all, addressing poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace and justice.
Since its founding in 2019, Pillar Foundation International has grown as a global, inclusive youth- and women-led organization.
Founded in Washington D.C., USA.
First cohort of student members recruited in Korea.
Registered non-profit corporation; Asia Regional Branch.
Granted by the United Nations Economic and Social Council.
70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women, UN Headquarters, New York.
Three connected streams of work — education, empowerment and knowledge — each aligned to specific Sustainable Development Goals.
K-Global Citizenship Education and Leadership for Sustainable Development certificates for learners and educators.
02Webinar series with women professional leaders and literacy education for girls in Africa.
03Annual conferences, interdisciplinary research and collaborative publications.
Practical programmes that build values, knowledge and skills — linking personal growth with social impact.
The K-GCED Certification Programme is a dual-track model for learners and educators, integrating Korea’s development experience with global citizenship education principles.
A Leadership Certificate Programme to cultivate youth and women as change-making leaders, grounded in psychological research and leadership theory — and designed for a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) world.
SD Leadership Fundamentals · SD Project Management · SD Project Development & Evaluation · Organizational Communication · Global Competence.
Informed by Blekinge Institute of Technology’s sustainability training and the United Nations ProSPER.Net leadership development for Education for Sustainable Development.
We promote women to become self-sufficient — with an emphasis on women’s involvement in peace and security issues around the world.
Inspiring, interactive talks by women professional leaders from different cultures around the world. The 2022 series:
We donate English STEM-heroine comic books to girls in Africa — helping them imagine a future self as STEM experts and set their own dreams to change the world.
Through annual conferences, interdisciplinary research and collaborative publications, we connect youth leaders, scholars and international partners to foster innovative solutions for sustainable development.
Reusing sawmill wood dust — normally burned, causing respiratory illness — as substrate for organic oyster mushroom farming.
GhanaHow undergraduate engineers build a professional identity for complex socio-technical sustainability contexts.
United StatesThe role of compassion toward self and others in students’ emotions and commitment during intragroup conflict.
Published researchUsing mobile technology to supplement literacy education for underserved children.
KenyaSustainably producing healthy vegetables to support school feeding programmes.
GhanaA Nutrient Film Technique system that supplements school meals with fresh cabbage — and serves as a hands-on learning hub where students learn to build and maintain sustainable food systems.
Building on the ECOSOC milestone, we continue to expand our impact worldwide — empowering youth and women, fostering partnerships, and leading transformative change for a just and sustainable future.
In 2025, Pillar Foundation International was granted Special Consultative Status with UN ECOSOC, recognizing our contributions to global citizenship and sustainable leadership.
Officially registered as a non-profit corporation, the Korea office is particularly youth-led — founded and operated by undergraduate and graduate students — and serves as a hub for inclusive education, gender equality and sustainable leadership across the region.
Led by undergraduate and graduate students primarily from four of Korea’s leading universities.
A Board of Directors and Secretariat guide five working teams that carry our initiatives forward.
Founder, Pillar Foundation International
A leadership development practitioner, researcher, and sustainable development project consultant for the United Nations — giving education on entrepreneurial leadership for sustainable development and developing STEM education curricula.
Members of industry and academia can guide young leaders through our mentorship programme.
Become a mentor →Share your expertise as a guest speaker in one of our webinar series or forums.
Propose a talk →Support our programmes and projects through partnership, sponsorship or donation.
Donate →