From 6,000+ young volunteers to Yuvoday 2.0: moving from volunteering to local problem-solving
Jagdalpur, Bastar | 24 September 2026: Yuvoday, Bastar’s youth volunteer movement, today completes six years of bringing young people, communities and the district administration together for positive change.
Launched on 23 September 2020 by the Bastar District Administration with support from UNICEF, Yuvoday (Rise of Youth) began during COVID-19, initially mobilising more than 6,000 young volunteers. They supported COVID awareness, vaccination and helped communities connect with essential services. Over time, the initiative expanded beyond the pandemic, engaging young people across health, nutrition, education, sanitation, social protection, environment and community development.
Shri Akash Chhikara, IAS, Collector and District Magistrate, Bastar, said: “Yuvoday represents the energy and commitment of Bastar’s young people. Over six years, our volunteers have shown what is possible when young people are trusted and given responsibility. Through Yuvoday 2.0, we want them to understand local challenges, listen to communities and work alongside the administration to develop solutions that work for Bastar.”
Yuvoday 2.0: From volunteers to problem-solvers
Building on six years of experience, Yuvoday 2.0 is taking youth participation a step further. The focus is moving beyond awareness and mobilisation towards understanding problems, listening to communities and developing solutions rooted in local realities. The initiative is also focusing on volunteers’ confidence, mental wellbeing and personal development.
Abhishek Singh, Social and Behaviour Change Specialist, UNICEF Chhattisgarh, said: “Yuvoday started with a simple idea: trust young people and give them an opportunity to contribute. Today, they are not just carrying messages. They are listening to communities, understanding what shapes people’s choices and helping find solutions that work locally. The next chapter is about giving young people greater space to lead and turn their ideas into action.”
Manas Banerjee, Chhattisgarh Agricon Samiti, said: “The real strength of Yuvoday is its volunteers. They know their communities, understand local realities and are trusted by people. These six years are a celebration of thousands of young people who have continued to give their time, energy and ideas to Bastar.”
The change is also reflected in the voices of young people themselves. Banmali, a Yuvoday volunteer from Jagdalpur Block, says, “Yuvoday gave us the confidence that you don’t need a big position to create change; you need the spirit to serve. Today, people in our village see us as responsible young people, and that is our biggest identity.”
Rajni Maurya, a Yuvoday volunteer from Tokapal Block, says, “Yuvoday taught us that understanding the problem in our village is the first step towards finding a solution. When young people step forward, the whole community comes along.”
UNICEF and Chhattisgarh Agricon Samiti continue to support the Bastar District Administration in strengthening the initiative.
Join the Yuvoday movement
Young people who want to contribute to their communities can register at www.yuvoday.org or download the Yuvoday App.
Six years of Yuvoday. Six years of young people showing up for Bastar. The journey continues.
