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, with a focus on specific SDGs. Through a series of sub-national innovation bootcamps across India hosted at the Atal Incubation Centres, top 30 teams were identified. In preparation of the National Innovation Challenge and Dialogue (NICD), a National Springboard programme was conducted to better aid the teams with their business models. Top 4 teams were selected from NICD that underwent the Regional Springboard Programme.
In 2020, through the overarching theme of COVID-19 Recovery to #BuildForwardBetter, Youth Co:Lab India called for solutions in the areas of Education, Mental Health, Gender Equality, Green Economy and Improving Access. Top 80 teams participated in the Bootcamp and after an intense final pitching round, Top 3 winning teams were identified who underwent National and Regional Springboard Programme. In 2020, we also launched the Innovations Marketplace for Gender Equality with a focus on LGBTI Livelihoods. We invited youth led innovations that are working in this space for an incubation programme to strengthen their ideas, enterprises, and nonprofits.
This year the theme will focus on youth led innovation for climate action and accelerating green recovery encouraging #youthforclimateaction to tackle the urgency of the climate change crisis and building resilience for our most precious ecosystems and vulnerable communities.
Shortlisted teams will go through the National Springboard Program 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. 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! The Youth Co:Lab Regional Summit provides young entrepreneurs with mentors, networking opportunities and access to learning and acceleration opportunities.
