Elliot Costello downs his paintbrush to be interviewed for Australia Unlimited. He’s been busy fitting out his latest project, Gwanda, a creative community space in Melbourne’s St Kilda. Costello, 26, is co-founder and CEO of YGAP (Y-Generation Against Poverty) – an inspiring and dynamic youth-based, not-for-profit organisation entirely run by volunteers. “We were homeless, running everything virtually and needed somewhere to share ideas,” says Costello of the Gwanda building.

This development follows hot on the heels of another successful Melbourne venture, the Kinfolk Project – a professionally run café with a staff of five that channels all its profits into YGAP’s international work as well as local charitable projects. Launched in 2010, Kinfolk is already recognised as one of the city’s most successful social businesses. “We have created a café environment where consumption is intrinsically linked to contribution and giving, not just receiving,” says Costello.

Costello is following very much in a family tradition. His father, the Reverend Tim Costello, is a Baptist minister and the CEO of community development organisation World Vision Australia, which works to alleviate suffering and improve the lives of children. Elliot says: “I grew up in a family committed to social justice, and there’s no doubt I’m a product of my environment.”

But in 2007, when he came across a book by David Batstone, Professor of Ethics at the University of San Francisco, the younger Costello knew where his future lay. Not For Sale examined the growth of modern-day slavery and exploitation of children. Costello says the book shocked him and challenged him to work towards making a difference.

“I gathered together like-minded friends and we asked how we could share our skills and resources. We undertook three development projects in Africa and learning from those gave me the belief in my abilities.” Observing how much development work relied on the goodwill of volunteers, Costello had a vision of building a network of skilled and willing young professionals. “The greatest assets in my life have always been the people around me,” he says.

The tangible outcomes of what his organisation has achieved are classrooms constructed for schoolchildren in Ghana, Malawi and Rwanda. YGAP acts in partnership with local community development organisations to find out what is needed and how much it is going to cost. Then, employing local people and supporting them with volunteers, YGAP gets the job done. Generating local employment is central to YGAP’s activities, says Costello. The group also runs health and advocacy programs, as well as practical work to free children from slave labour. YGAP currently has a team of around 150 active volunteers across Australia and “a handful” offshore.

“I’ve been lucky to travel extensively and had the opportunity to share with people less fortunate their visions, experiences, hopes and dreams,” says Costello. “It has opened my eyes. In this short time we have on Earth, you ask yourself, ‘How do I want to use my life?’ For me, this is how.”