Life skills are the fundamental building blocks for young people to realize their potential at home, at school, and in their communities. Life skills programs provide a means of achieving important youth development outcomes, such as improved performance in school, increased literacy, finding and maintaining employment, and active citizenship. Below are those life skills developed through the Nokia-IYF global youth development initiative.

Creative thinking – The ability to develop original ideas and/or innovative solutions

Critical thinking – The ability to evaluate information and situations and question what is generally accepted

Decision-making / Problem-solving – The ability to gather information and assess options in order to make informed choices

Self-confidence – The quality necessary to believe in one’s abilities, accept one’s weaknesses, and respect one’s own background

Communication and interpersonal skills – The ability to express oneself effectively, to understand others, and to respond appropriately to different people in different situations

Conflict management – The ability to look for a common solution in a sensible, fair, and efficient manner and to embrace different perspectives

Cooperation / Teamwork – The ability to work collectively to achieve a common goal and to compromise when needed

Managing one’s emotions – The ability to deal with one’s feelings and to express them in a responsible manner (also referred to as “emotional literacy”)

Contribution (civic values) – The ability to look beyond yourself and to effect change in the larger community

Empathy – The ability to identify with another's feelings, needs, and situation and to express that understanding to them

Respect – The ability to accept another’s opinion or values, and appreciate others

Responsibility – The ability to set and achieve goals and to be accountable for one’s actions