Applications Open for the Youth Co:Lab National Innovation Dialogue 2023-2024 in India to Support 50 Youth-led Social Start-ups in Accelerating their Businesses.
Interested startups can submit their application under the themes namely: Agriculture Fintech and Insurtech for small and marginal farmers, Innovative solutions for Indigenous groups, tribal communities and Assistive technology and solutions. Some of the startups will also be supported with seed grants.
Speaking at the launch, Resident Representative a.i. of UNDP India Isabelle Tschan said,
“India, with its significant youth population, enjoys the advantage of a demographic dividend, with nearly 40% aged between 13 to 35 years. However, to unlock the innovative potential of our youth, we must create opportunities and appropriate support mechanisms. At UNDP, we are committed to enhancing youth’s access to opportunities, in partnership with the government, the private sector, and Civil society organizations.”
Dedicated young entrepreneurs offering solutions that address tangible issues or foster meaningful co-innovation opportunities aged 18-29 are invited to apply. Selected winners and finalists will have the opportunity to participate in an online Springboard Programme to enhance their entrepreneurial and leadership skills. The teams that produce the best results in the programme will be able to showcase their business ideas at the Regional Youth Co:Lab Summit 2024, to be held in June.
Speaking at the event Dr. Chintan Vaishnav, Mission Director Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog said” India has 700 million people under 30 yrs of age, and 1 in 5 workers across the globe will be Indian in the next 20 years. I see an infectious energy in the Youth Co:Lab’s Innovation dialogue and its initiatives which is creating a space for young and ambitious people to come together and form networks dedicated to global welfare through the platform. All the 3 themes of this year’s Youth Co:Lab have seen significant advancements over the past few years in India. AIM is also working with the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare for creating a platform to support agri based start-ups. Similarly we are on the way to having many affordable and unique solutions in the Assistive Technology space. We in Atal Innovation Mission are helping in building India’s first Assistive Tech Incubator in Bengaluru. I firmly believe that some of the major solutions to our sustainable development aspirations will come from communities and Youth Co:Lab is a great initiative towards that objective.
Mr. Ashu Khullar, Chief Executive Officer Citi Foundation said, “We are extremely proud to be associated with the launch of the latest edition of the Youth Co:Lab after the success of last year’s. Citi continues to be committed to support the visions and aspirations of youth and young entrepreneurs in India through business and CSR efforts.”
In India, Youth Co: Lab was launched in 2019 in collaboration with Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog. Through this collaboration, Youth Co:Lab has conducted five national theme-specific youth social innovation and entrepreneurship dialogues in India, including several forms of engagement such as panel discussions, workshops, dialogues, and webinars.
Partner introductions:
About Youth Co:Lab:
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 or follow @youthcolab
About UNDP:
UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet. Learn more at www.undp.org or follow @undp
About Citi Foundation:
The Citi Foundation works to promote economic progress and improve the lives of people in low-income communities around the world. We invest in efforts that increase financial inclusion, catalyze job opportunities for youth, and reimagine approaches to building economically vibrant communities. The Citi Foundation’s “More than Philanthropy” approach leverages the enormous expertise of Citi and its people to fulfill our mission and drive thought leadership and innovation. Learn more at www.citigroup.com or follow @Citi
About Atal Innovation Mission:
Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) is the Government of India’s flagship initiative to create and promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship across the length and breadth of our country. AIM’s objective is to develop new programmes and policies for fostering innovation in different sectors of the economy, provide platforms and collaboration opportunities for different stakeholders, and create an umbrella structure to oversee the innovation & entrepreneurship ecosystem of the country. Learn more at www.aim.gov.in
