This year's SHINE Youth Festival promises to be bigger and better this year with organisers planning to reach out to as many as 200,000 youngsters through social media.

The National Youth Council (NYC), which organises the annual event, launched a Facebook application where youths can pledge to take on a social mission and to make a difference to society.

So far, more than 2,000 youths have made their pledge on the festival's website. The festival, which was launched in 2005, is an annual month-long event which celebrates Singapore's youths. From June 29 to July 27 this year, 33 organisations will be holding more than 50 events islandwide to showcase various youth talents and social initiatives.

Events lined up include Jump Singapore, Southeast Asia's first parkour freerunning event and First Steps, a fundraising carnival where participants are encouraged to attend barefoot. For more information, visit shine.nyc.sg