Youth Co:Lab, co-created in 2017 by UNDP Asia and the Pacific and Citi Foundation is a multi-dimensional and multi-level response to tackle the challenges young people face by positioning youth front and center to find solutions to today’s most pressing problems. Youth Co:Lab was launched in India in 2019 by UNDP and Atal Innovation Mission. The focus of the portfolio has been primarily on women and youth from marginalized communities across the country. It takes into consideration that women face significant social and economic barriers in participating in India’s workforce.
The top 30 teams (5 ideas per thematic area) will be identified. In preparation for the National Innovation Challenge and Dialogue (NIC and NID), a National Springboard programme will be conducted to better aid the teams with their business models. The top 12 teams will be selected from (NIC and NID) for the Regional Springboard Programme.
Shortlisted teams will go through the National Springboard programme consisting of mentor connect, curricula support, networking opportunities, and corporate support. Sessions and modules shall include design thinking, business models, impact measurement, leadership coaching, fundraising, storytelling, presentation, pitching, etc.
The best solutions will be showcased in the National Innovation Dialogue which brings together stakeholders to establish a common agenda through capacity development, strengthening the coalition, and creating an enabling ecosystem in a national context. The top 2 teams will also have the opportunity to represent India at the Asia-Pacific Regional Summit to present in front of leading investors and corporate partners.
Youth Co:Lab 2022-23 focused on youth-led early-stage social enterprises or innovations working in the domains of Digital and Financial Literacy for Youth, Gender Equality, and Women Economic Empowerment, Developing FinTech Solutions focused on Biodiversity Conservation, Promoting Biodiversity-friendly Lifestyles through Technological Solutions in Finance Accelerating Circular Economy through Upcycling Innovation and Behavioral Nudges for LiFE.
Atal Innovation Mission is a flagship initiative set up by the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in the country. Its objective is to create a facilitating environment for the transformation of ideas into innovative and impactful solutions at schools, universities, research institutions, MSMEs, and industry levels across the country.
Please visit Atal Innovation Mission
Follow Atal Innovation Mission on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
UNDP works across 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty while protecting the planet. We help countries develop strong policies, skills, partnerships, and institutions so they can sustain their progress. UNDP has worked in India since 1951 in almost all areas of human development, from systems strengthening to inclusive growth and sustainable livelihoods, as well as sustainable energy, environment, and resilience. UNDP’s programme continues to integrate a global vision for catalytic change with India’s national priorities. With over 30 projects on the ground in almost every state, today, it works to achieve Sustainable Development Goals by transforming traditional models to do development differently.
Please visit United Nations Development Programme
Follow UNDP India on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
The Accelerator Lab network, our flagship innovation network, is now active in 115 countries and has influenced UNDP’s organizational culture to become more agile in the face of uncertainty. Thanks to the visionary support of Germany and Qatar, the UNDP Accelerator Labs Network continuously creates new capabilities to reimagine and help drive development for the 21st Century.
Please visit Accelerator Labs | United Nations Development Programme
Follow UNDP India on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN), is UNDP’s global flagship programme, known for its contribution towards meeting the national and international priorities of resource mobilization by addressing the biodiversity finance challenge. BIOFIN was launched in India in 2015 to support the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), Government of India, in developing a Biodiversity Finance Plan that provides innovative steps for better alignment and mobilization of private and public, domestic and international finance to implement the National Biodiversity Action Plan, the National Biodiversity Targets and related commitments.
Please visit BIOFIN
