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Youth and Skill Development
Focus Area

Youth and Skill Development

Empowering youth with vocational skills, leadership mentoring, and entrepreneurship opportunities.

65,000+
Youth Volunteers
64
Districts Reached
495
Upazilas Served
Education and Digital Learning Youth and Skill Development Women Empowerment Climate Change Governance and Advocacy
Our Strategy

A focused approach to lasting change.

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1. The Voice: Active Citizenship & Governance

For too long, young people have been bystanders in the decisions that affect their lives. We are shifting them from passive observers to active citizens. Through our robust civic engagement initiatives, we empower youth to understand their rights, engage with policymakers, and participate in the democratic process. Whether through town hall dialogues or voter awareness campaigns, we ensure their voices echo in the corridors of power. We aren't just teaching them about democracy; we are giving them a seat at the table.

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2. The Innovators: Skills & Entrepreneurship

In a globalized economy, traditional education is often not enough. We operate as a launchpad for the next generation of entrepreneurs, creators, and problem-solvers. From high-tech innovation hubs to climate-smart business bootcamps, we provide young people with the 21st-century skills—critical thinking, STEM, and adaptability—needed to thrive. We invest in their ideas, turning "job seekers" into "job creators" who drive economic resilience in their communities.

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3. The Conscience: Rights, Equality, & Inclusion

A prosperous nation must also be a just one. Our youth networks are the vanguard of social change, leading the charge against deep-rooted inequalities.

  • Gender Equality: We empower young men and women to dismantle harmful stereotypes and advocate for a society where talent knows no gender.
  • Peace & Tolerance: In a polarised world, our volunteers champion inclusivity, fighting hate speech and fostering harmony across religious and ethnic lines.
  • Climate Action: Recognising that they will inherit the planet, we mobilise youth to lead grassroots environmental protection and climate advocacy.
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4. The Digital Guardians: Safety in a Connected World

The internet is the new public square, but it comes with new risks. We are pioneering a nationwide movement for Digital Safety and Responsibility. By training thousands of youth ambassadors, we are building a digital defense line against cyberbullying, misinformation, and online harassment. We teach young people not only how to protect themselves online but how to create a digital culture that is safe, factual, and positive for everyone.

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5. A National Network of Changemakers

We have built one of the largest youth networks in Bangladesh. This is not just a group of volunteers; it is a rapid-response force. In times of national crisis—be it floods, pandemics, or emergencies—our youth are the first responders on the ground, proving time and again that empathy is a verb.

Partner With Us to Create Change

For Individuals

Join Bangladesh’s largest youth volunteer network and lead community transformation.

For Corporate & Institutional Partners

Invest in a scalable, audited, and high-impact youth development model.

On The Ground

Active Projects

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Featured LEAD Bangladesh
completed

LEAD Bangladesh

Objective To empower youth across Bangladesh to become grassroots leaders and changemakers by enabling them to design and implement community-driven initiatives that address local challenges related to climate action, women’s empowerment, civic engagement, and skills development while advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Project Summary The LEAD Bangladesh Project, implemented by JAAGO Foundation Trust with support from the Australian High Commission, is a nationwide youth empowerment initiative designed to unlock the leadership potential of young people at the grassroots level. The project responds to a critical gap faced by youth in Bangladesh — limited access to funding, mentorship, and institutional support to turn their ideas into impactful community action. At the core of LEAD Bangladesh is the belief that young people best understand the challenges within their own communities and, when given the right resources and guidance, can drive sustainable and inclusive development. The project provides small grants and structured capacity-building support to youth-led groups, enabling them to design and implement locally relevant solutions aligned with national development priorities and the SDGs. Through an open and inclusive call for proposals, the project will support 40 youth-led community action projects, each receiving financial assistance alongside training in project design, leadership, implementation, and impact measurement. The initiative places a strong emphasis on inclusivity, prioritising the participation of young women, youth with disabilities, and marginalised communities, ensuring that leadership opportunities reach those who are often excluded from decision-making spaces. The supported projects will focus on four key thematic areas: climate change, women’s empowerment, civic engagement, and skills development. Youth-led initiatives may include climate adaptation and resilience activities, waste management and green infrastructure, women’s entrepreneurship and leadership initiatives, civic awareness and volunteerism, as well as vocational and digital skills training tailored to local needs. By localising SDG targets, LEAD Bangladesh enables young people to translate global goals into tangible action within their own communities. Beyond funding, LEAD Bangladesh places strong importance on capacity building and mentorship. Selected youth groups will participate in structured workshops and receive ongoing guidance from experienced mentors to strengthen project management skills, ensure accountability, and promote long-term sustainability. Regular monitoring, follow-ups, and community engagement activities will support quality implementation and generate learning for future scaling. The overarching goal of LEAD Bangladesh is to transform youth from passive beneficiaries into active agents of change. By reaching more than 5,000 community members, the project strengthens grassroots leadership, fosters civic responsibility, and builds a replicable model for youth-led local development in Bangladesh. Ultimately, LEAD Bangladesh contributes to a more resilient, inclusive, and youth-driven future where young people actively shape the social, economic, and environmental progress of their communities and the nation.

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Active Youth Leadership Development Program (DASRA / FYL Grants)

Youth Leadership Development Program (DASRA / FYL Grants)

Objective To enhance youth leadership and civic engagement across Bangladesh by equipping youth leaders with the cognitive, inclusive leadership, and human-centered design skills necessary to drive decentralized development and community action. Project Summary The Youth Leadership Development Program, supported through the FYL (Ful for Youth Leadership) Grants Program, is a nationwide initiative designed to empower youth by providing flexible and boundless support to grassroots organizations. The project aims to address the traditional power dynamics that often limit small or rural youth groups and to equip them with the knowledge and resources needed to lead local development. At the heart of this project is the belief that every youth leader’s potential matters and that shifting power to the local level is essential for building an inclusive and self-reliant democracy in Bangladesh. The project will engage over 2,100 youth leaders across all 8 divisions of Bangladesh, including 497 divisional and district leaders and 1,600 youth at the upazila level. These participants, selected from the Volunteers for Bangladesh (VBD) network and other local groups, will take part in 14 daylong residential training sessions and conduct community outreach programs. They will be trained to lead Community Action Projects in their constituencies, specifically targeting local challenges through the use of human-centered design and inclusive leadership strategies. As part of this training, youth will also participate in a comprehensive needs assessment designed to identify and bridge specific skill gaps in their respective regions. One of the central components of this initiative is the decentralization of leadership through the training of specialized Youth Coordinators. Through these coordinators, the project seeks to create a unified network of empowered youth who can impact the future of the country by implementing locally relevant solutions. These training sessions are designed to highlight how inclusive leadership and cognitive development can improve civic participation and community resilience across Bangladesh. By educating youth on these leadership principles, the program will inspire active community service, making young people more aware of the power they hold in shaping the local policies that affect their lives. The overarching goal of the Youth Leadership Development Program is to bridge the gap in leadership opportunities for youth in marginalized and rural areas. By fostering democratic values and ensuring that youth have the skills to manage their own projects, the project will ensure that grassroots voices are heard and represented in the national development agenda. Furthermore, this project will help build an environment where youth not only serve as volunteers but also influence the social and economic progress of their communities. The project will focus on community-led action, ensuring that leadership development goes beyond basic training and instead promotes a holistic approach to civic responsibility. Ultimately, the project will build a stronger, more inclusive society in Bangladesh, where youth are active contributors to the nation’s future.

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Active NexGen Graduate Fellowship Programme (NAGORIKATA)

NexGen Graduate Fellowship Programme (NAGORIKATA)

Objective To create an experiential, technology-enabled, and personalised fellowship that cultivates holistic development spanning personal growth, professional development, and cross-sector capabilities—enabling youth to unlock their full potential and become confident agents of change. Project Summary The NexGen Graduate Fellowship Programme, implemented by JAAGO Foundation Trust and YouthNet Global under the Nagorikata: Civic Engagement Fund (CEF), is a transformative initiative designed to empower Bangladeshi youth by providing integrated life skills, professional competencies, and real-world exposure. The project aims to address the critical gaps in holistic development where current programs often focus narrowly on formal education rather than the adaptability and resilience needed for success in evolving contexts. At the heart of this project is the belief that shifting from traditional civic activism to an experiential model is essential for fostering a generation of leaders capable of navigating the interconnected realities of governance, the private sector, and civil society. The project will facilitate a six-month modular fellowship journey, offering a technology-enabled platform that integrates immersive placements within a Quad-Helix framework. Fellows will participate in intensive capacity-building sessions during the first three months, focusing on emotional intelligence, systems thinking, and digital literacy. These participants, selected from diverse backgrounds including early-career professionals and recent graduates, will then transition into three-month sectoral practicums within host institutions. They will be trained to apply their learning to practical, real-world challenges, specifically targeting the improvement of community-based outcomes and institutional responsiveness. As part of this journey, fellows will engage in cross-sectoral collaboration to bridge the gap between young people and the institutional environments of government and academia. One of the central components of this initiative is the creation of a sustainable network of alumni changemakers and the establishment of cross-sector referral linkages. Through residential training and mentorship, the project seeks to create a unified movement of resilient, future-ready leaders who can influence national development priorities. These interventions are designed to highlight how cross-sectoral synergy can drive innovative solutions for societal progress across Bangladesh. By equipping youth with these advanced capabilities, the program will inspire active participation in civic life, making fellows more aware of the impact they can hold in shaping a more inclusive and responsive nation. The overarching goal of the NexGen Graduate Fellowship Programme is to bridge the gap in professional and personal development among young people across Bangladesh. By fostering youth agency and ensuring that young leaders are equipped with the skills to collaborate across different sectors, the project will ensure that youth voices are represented in decision-making processes. Furthermore, this project will help build an environment where youth not only participate in development but also drive the creation of inclusive policies that affect their communities. The project will focus on experiential learning, ensuring that youth leadership goes beyond theoretical knowledge and instead promotes a holistic approach to professional and civic excellence. Ultimately, the project will build a stronger, more resilient future for Bangladesh, where young people are active contributors to the nation's social, economic, and environmental progress. For more details visit the Nagorikata website: https://www.nagorikata-cef.org/en

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Voices

Stories from the field

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