Yutopia to Advance Institutional Collaboration with Young People

UNICEF YuWaah (the India Chapter of Generation Unlimited) and SAP  launched Yutopia – an initiative that unites public, private, and civil society stakeholders to build inclusive systems that reflect, and respond to the needs and aspirations of young people, placing youth at the centre of every effort. With

over 350 million young people in India, Yutopia marks a strategic step toward building youth-affirmative systems that engage young people as equal stakeholders in national development.

The launch brought together leadership from private sector, civil society organizations along with government participation from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MoYAS) and young changemakers.

Yutopia seeks to co-create pathways and frameworks for institutions to engage young people not merely as beneficiaries or employees, but as active collaborators. The aim is to co-create new ways for youth to drive structural change within organisations by  convening partners, including ministries, private sector and civil society organisations to spark collaboration across sectors, build capacities of organisations for meaningful youth engagement , and use human centre design thinking approach to co-create frameworks and best practices that advance youth centrality and amplify thought leadership.

“The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports is committed to empowering young people as key partners in India’s development. Through initiatives like the National Service Scheme and Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan, we engage youth in leadership, service, and nation-building. We continue to strengthen systems that ensure young people are heard, included, and involved in shaping programmes and policies. We congratulate YuWaah on this initiative that is in alignment with our commitment. By work with diverse stakeholders we aim to embed youth leadership across institutions and create opportunities for young people to drive national progress.” said Dr. Sarah Jayal Swakmie, Director, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports

Arjan De Wagt, Deputy Representative, UNICEF India said “At UNICEF, we believe every child and young person has the right to be heard and to participate meaningfully in decisions that impact their lives. We are committed to strengthening systems that support their development, protection, and engagement at every stage. In India, where the youth population is significant, YuWaah works with young people to co-create pathways and ensure their voices inform every stage of our programmes. Yutopia is a timely effort to position young people as equal stakeholders in shaping inclusive, youth-responsive organisations, reflecting our commitment to work for youth and with youth.”

“At SAP, we firmly believe that young people must be at the heart of how organizations think, lead, and grow. Our global corporate social responsibility initiatives are dedicated to equipping youth with the skills, mentorship, and leadership opportunities they need to thrive. With Yutopia, in partnership with UNICEF YuWaah, we are deepening this commitment—creating systems where young people are not just participants, but active co-creators influencing decisions and shaping the workplaces of the future,” said Sindhu Gangadharan, Managing Director, SAP Labs India, and Head, Customer Innovation Services, SAP

“When young professionals are given the space to make decisions, to learn, and even to grow from their mistakes, they bring fresh energy, creativity, and new perspectives to an organisation. This not only helps them build confidence and leadership skills but also enables the organisation to benefit from innovative ideas and approaches. All we need is the right support and the freedom to explore, experiment, and contribute meaningfully” said Pooja Mahaldar, Young People's Action Team Member, UNICEF YuWaah

As part of the UN Youth Policy 2030, the UN Secretary-General launched UNICEF’s global Generation Unlimited (GenU) movement at the United Nations General Assembly in 2018. This initiative addresses the urgent needs of young people aged 10-24 by expanding learning, skill development, employment, and engagement opportunities.  The India chapter of Generation Unlimited, known as YuWaah, was launched in November 2019.