A coalition of businesses have collectively pledged $500,000 to fund youth-led programmes to tackle the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), under a new initiative dubbed Lead2030.

Credit Suisse, Astra Zeneca, Deloitte, BP, Standard Chartered and KPMG are among those to commit to funding and mentoring to support youth-led initiatives for one of 10 specific SDGs, including those covering clean energy, reduced inequalities, and good health & wellbeing.

The hunt for the youth-led programmes to support opened late last week. The programme's organisers, One Young World, claim it is the first ever business coalition focused on accelerating youth action on the SDGs.

"The Global Goals will not be achieved without ambitious and meaningful contributions from leaders across every sector of society," said Kate Robertson, founder of One Young World. "With 380 million jobs predicted to be created by achieving the SDGs, and $12tr unlocked in market opportunities, the business case for accelerating progress on the Global Goals is clear. The world leading organisations that have committed to join Lead2030 are not just doing the right thing, they're doing the smart thing for their business."