Youth Co:Lab was launched in India in 2019 by UNDP in collaboration with the Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog. As of the end of 2025, Youth Co:Lab has conducted seven national theme-specific youth social innovation and entrepreneurship challenges in India through this collaboration. These engagements include national dialogues, panel discussions, workshops, conversations, and webinars. Youth Co:Lab offers seed grants and pairs early-stage entrepreneurs with mentors, investors and peers, and gives them the business tools to turn raw ideas into viable ventures.
The Youth Co:Lab National Innovation Challenge 2026 in India, held in collaboration with T-Hub Foundation will focus on the theme of Responsible Consumption. These efforts are aligned with the Government of India’s Mission LiFE and focus on innovations that nudge individual and collective action towards a Lifestyle for Environment. These efforts are aligned with the Government of India’s Mission LiFE and focus on innovations that nudge individual and collective action towards a Lifestyle for Environment, under the 8th edition of the Youth Co:Lab National Innovation Challenge 2026. The sub-categories would be as follows:
1. Sustainable Textiles and Fashion
2. Circular Economy Innovations
3. Sustainable Food Systems and Water Conservation
Co-created in 2017 by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Citi Foundation, Youth Co:Lab aims to establish a common agenda for countries in the Asia-Pacific region to empower and invest in youth so that they can accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through leadership, social innovation, and entrepreneurship. Learn more at www.youthcolab.org.
Apply for Youth Co:Lab National Innovation Challenge 2026
here
Application Deadline: Apply before midnight on 3rd March 2026
See the energy, ideas, and impact from the last Youth Co:Lab National Innovation Challenge 2024-25
1) Youth led startups with founders aged 15 to 29 years. The age limit is extended to 35 years for women, persons with disabilities (PwDs), LGBTIQA+ individuals, tribal entrepreneurs, and entrepreneurs from minority communities. Eligibility also extends to NGOs that meet these criteria.
2) Solution aligned with “Responsible Consumption” sub-themes (Sustainable Textiles, Circular Economy, Sustainable Food & Water).
- Viable and scalable ideas or solutions.
- Startup teams led by women; individuals of diverse sexual orientation, gender identity and expression (SOGIE) or LGBTIQA+ communities; persons with disabilities (PwDs); tribal youth; Dalit youth; individuals from marginalised castes; and religious minorities. For these groups, the age limit for founders is extended to 35 years.
Sustainable Textiles and Fashion
Sustainable Textiles and Fashion includes products, materials, and production systems that reduce the environmental and social impact of the fashion and textile industry. This covers low-impact fibres and dyeing, circular garment design, repair and reuse models, and transparent, ethical supply chains.
Examples:
Circular Economy Innovations
Circular Economy Innovations include products, platforms, and systems that reduce waste and extend the use of materials. This covers material recovery, reuse, upcycling, recycling, take-back systems, waste-to-value solutions, and circular business models across sectors.
Examples:
Sustainable Food Systems and Water Conservation
Sustainable Food Systems and Water Conservation include technologies and systems that improve the sustainability and efficiency of food and water systems. This covers innovations in agriculture, post-harvest management, supply chains, water-use efficiency, and resource-efficient production.
Examples:
The Global Context
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development calls for inclusive progress that leaves no one behind. Today, that urgency is especially visible in the way we produce, consume, and dispose. Linear systems that take, make, and waste are driving pollution, depleting natural resources, and increasing climate and water risks for cities and communities.
Against this backdrop, this year’s focus on empowering youth entrepreneurs to develop solutions in sustainable textiles and fashion, circular economy innovations, and sustainable food systems and water conservation responds directly to global sustainability priorities. It aligns closely with SDG 12 on responsible consumption and production, while also contributing to SDG 6 on clean water and sanitation, SDG 11 on sustainable cities and communities, SDG 2 on zero hunger, and SDG 13 on climate action.
The Indian Context
India’s scale makes sustainability and responsible consumption both a national challenge and a global opportunity for innovation. The gaps are particularly visible across three areas:
Agriculture accounts for nearly 90% of India’s freshwater use, yet up to 40% of the food produced is lost due to inefficiencies across farming, storage, and supply chains. This scale of food loss and waste places a heavy strain on natural resources and carries significant economic and environmental costs. NITI Aayog linked analyses estimate food loss and waste in India at around 40%, highlighting the urgency of more efficient and sustainable food systems.
Water stress further compounds these challenges. Urban areas are also facing growing risks. The National Institute of Urban Affairs’ Cities Readiness Report (2023) indicates that around 30 Indian cities are projected to face high water risk through 2050, according to WWF assessments, underscoring the need for innovations that strengthen resilience and promote long term water conservation.
Strategic Focus Areas
The eighth edition of the Youth Co:Lab National Innovation Challenge 2026 is a call to action for young changemakers to tackle these challenges through three strategic focus areas:
Sustainable Textiles and Fashion: Innovating circular materials, low-impact processing, repair/reuse models, and traceability systems to reduce waste and pollution.
Circular Economy Innovations: Strengthening segregation, collection efficiency, material recovery, recycling value chains, and waste-to-value models that reduce landfill dependency and unlock economic value.
Sustainable Food Systems and Water Conservation: Reducing food loss and waste, improving supply-chain efficiency, enabling water-smart agriculture, and building urban/community water resilience.
The Role of Youth and Innovation
This challenge puts young people in the driver’s seat, helping them develop practical ideas to reduce textile waste, improve recycling and reuse, and save water while making food systems more efficient. It supports the SDGs and reinforces the global push for cleaner, smarter growth that can handle climate pressures. The UN recognises young people as “agents of change,” and Youth Co:Lab is built to help them take real action through leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurship—so youth-led teams can test and build solutions like circular fashion (reuse/repair), waste-to-value ideas, and water-saving supply chains that can work in communities, cities, and markets.
Are you a passionate youth entrepreneur or innovator working towards disability inclusion? Here’s your chance to make a difference. Apply Now to build impactful solutions and be part of an inclusive, global community.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Before midnight on 3rd March 2026
Following the application period, 50 startups will be selected for the National Springboard Programme, a 6-8 week virtual capacity-building journey designed to strengthen business fundamentals, refine product-market fit, and enhance impact and scale readiness. The programme will offer a structured mix of expert-led workshops, mentor connect sessions, peer learning, and ecosystem exposure. Key focus areas will include design thinking, business and financial fundamentals, impact measurement and ESG readiness, leadership and team development, fundraising preparedness, storytelling, pitching, and market access strategies.
The Springboard Programme will culminate in the National Innovation Dialogue (NID), a national-level convening where startups will present their solutions to a diverse jury comprising ecosystem leaders, investors, policymakers, and subject-matter experts. The NID will serve as a platform to showcase innovation, enable knowledge exchange, strengthen partnerships, and identify high-potential startups for the next stage of engagement.
From the NID, the Top 20 startups will be shortlisted to participate in a 5-day in-person Regional Immersion Programme at T-Hub, Hyderabad. This intensive bootcamp will focus on deep mentorship, business model refinement, impact and sustainability alignment, investor readiness, and pitch enhancement. The immersion will culminate in the Youth Co: Lab Finale, where startups will pitch live to a jury and ecosystem stakeholders.
Based on performance and jury evaluation, the Top 6 startups will be awarded seed grants to support the further development and scaling of their solutions.
About UNDP
UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, and build resilience so countries can sustain progress. As the UN’s development agency, UNDP plays a critical role in helping countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. UNDP has been working in India since 1951 in almost all areas of human development. With projects and programmes in every state and union territory in India, UNDP works with national and subnational governments, and diverse development actors to deliver people-centric results, particularly for the most vulnerable and marginalised communities.
Please visit the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) India
Follow UNDP India on Twitter, Facebook,Instagram and LinkedIn.
About Citi Foundation
The Citi Foundation works to promote economic progress and improve the lives of people in low-income communities worldwide. We invest in efforts that increase financial inclusion, catalyse job opportunities for youth and reimagine approaches to building economically vibrant neighbourhoods. The Citi Foundation’s “More than Philanthropy” approach leverages Citi's extensive expertise and the expertise of its people to fulfil our mission and drive thought leadership and innovation. Learn more at www.citigroup.com/citi/ foundation or follow @Citi
About Atal Innovation Mission (AIM)
Atal Innovation Mission is a flagship initiative of the Government of India to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in the country. Its objective is to create an enabling environment for transforming ideas into innovative, impactful solutions across schools, universities, research institutions, MSMEs, and industry at the national level.
Please visit Atal Innovation Mission
Follow Atal Innovation Mission on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
About T-Hub
Based in Hyderabad, T-Hub is the world's largest home for startups, spanning 572,000 sq. ft. It has supported more than 2,300 startups through curated programs, market access, funding opportunities, and world-class infrastructure.
T-Hub also serves as an incubator of incubators, hosting and nurturing entities such as AIC (Atal Incubation Centre) and MATH (Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence Technology Hub). With a strong focus on founders, T-Hub connects startups to global markets, investors, and industry leaders, and actively supports them throughout their growth journey.
Please visit T-Hub
Follow Atal Innovation Mission on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook & Youtube.
1. What is Youth Co:Lab?
Youth Co:Lab, co-led by UNDP and Citi Foundation, in partnership with Atal Innovation Mission and implemented by T-Hub Foundation in India, empowers youth in the Asia-Pacific region to drive the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through leadership, social innovation, and entrepreneurship.
2. How can I apply to the Youth Co: Lab National Innovation Challenge in India for 2026?
Submit your application here (Link), providing details about your team, solution, and alignment with this year's focus areas.
3. Is my information kept confidential?
Yes, all information provided in the application form is confidential and will not be shared without your consent.
4. Can I apply if my startup is not yet registered?
Yes, unregistered startups can apply. However, if selected, you may need to complete your registration to participate fully in the program.
5. Is there a template for submitting the pitch deck?
No, you are free to use your current pitch decks.
6. How will I know if my application is selected?
Selected applicants will be notified via email with further instructions.
7. On what basis will applications be evaluated?
Applications are evaluated on Problem Statement, Unique Selling Proposition (USP) Alignment with Responsible Consumption & Mission LiFE, Start-up Potential & Scalability, Environmental/Social Impact, and Business Model Viability.
8. Can I apply if my co-founder is above the age limit?
If at least one founder meets the age criteria (18-29 years; up to 35 for marginalized groups), you are eligible to apply.
9. What is the National Springboard Programme?
It's a 3-month virtual incubation offering mentorship, capacity building, and networking to refine business models and strategies.
10. Who can I contact for queries?
For questions, email czarina.arora@t-hub.co
11. What is the application deadline?
The application deadline is before midnight on 3rd March 2026.
12. Is there a fee to participate in Youth Co: Lab National Innovation Challenge programme activities?
No, participation in the program is free.
13. Is there an equity stake component to the program?
There is no equity component for the National Springboard program. Youth Co: Lab does not commit to any investment and is not affiliated with any investment arrangements made.
