By Priya Khadaka, Y4C intern
Pune today stands at an important inflection point. Pune City has experienced remarkable population growth over the past few decades. According to Census data, its population increased from 16.91 lakh in 1991 to 25.38 lakh in 2001, marking nearly a 50% rise. The following decade saw a further increase of around 23%, with the population reaching 31.15 lakh in 2011. This growth has shaped a distinctly young demographic profile, with media reports noting that nearly 33% of the population is below 30 years and close to 73% is under 50, making youth a defining force in the city’s social and economic landscape (Indian Express, 2017). Although Pune continues to maintain one of the highest literacy rates in the country at 89.6%, literacy alone has not translated into employability, leadership, or civic participation. A recent household survey conducted in communities under the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) found that only 16% of youth could identify five or more job roles that matched their educational qualifications, revealing a sharp gap between education and career readiness (Free Press Journal, 2025). These gaps emphasise the urgent need for youth development interventions that strengthen confidence, leadership, civic consciousness, and social responsibility.
It is within this context that CYDA launched the Youth4Change (Y4C) movement—an initiative grounded in the belief that young people must be empowered as active changemakers in their own communities. Through workshops, community discussions, mentorship, and project-based engagement, Y4C equips youth with critical thinking skills, communication abilities, emotional resilience, and values rooted in democracy, equality, and social justice. CYDA conducted a study to understand the program’s impact in the communities of Yerwada and Tadiwala Road, Pune, with a specific focus on leadership development, civic engagement, and personal transformation.
Data and Methodology
The study adopted a mixed-method approach, integrating quantitative data with qualitative insights to provide a comprehensive understanding of the Y4C intervention’s impact. A total of 86 youth participants from Yerwada and Tadiwala were included in the sample, representing those who had engaged with Yuvamitra, Yuvasahayogi, and other community-based learning spaces. The group reflected near gender parity with 51.2% male and 48.8% female participation, and showcased significant social diversity, with representation from General (32.4%), OBC (12.2%), SC (44.6%), and ST (10.6%) communities. This demographic range ensured that the findings captured diverse socio-economic experiences and realities.
Y4C Intervention
Youth in the study areas face multiple challenges, including unemployment, substance abuse, limited mental health awareness, exposure to violence, and a general disconnect from civic systems. To address these issues, Y4C adopted a two-tier leadership development model comprising Yuvamitra and Yuvasahayogi. The Yuvamitra component introduced participants to foundational leadership and essential life skills through 10 interactive sessions focused on self-awareness, communication, gender sensitivity, digital literacy, mental health, teamwork, and democratic values. The curriculum encouraged learning through participation, discussion, and reflection, creating a supportive environment where young people could explore and understand social issues without fear or hesitation.
The second tier, Yuvasahayogi, provided deeper engagement through mentorship-based support, guiding youth in career development, decision-making, and social leadership. This stage helped participants move from basic awareness to active involvement, empowering them to design and lead community initiatives, participate in civic actions, and develop confidence in their personal and professional aspirations. Together, the two tiers served as a structured pathway for nurturing youth leadership—from self-growth to community impact.
Transformation in Progress: Results and Discussion
The findings show that the Yuvamitra sessions led to substantial improvements across multiple domains. Awareness of sexual and reproductive health increased from 20.9% to 98.8%, while comfort with digital tools and platforms rose from 34.9% to 96.5%. Participants reported significant shifts in their ability to discuss gender issues, which grew from 12.8% to 87.2%. Knowledge of concepts such as social justice, democracy, peace, non-violence, and human rights expanded dramatically from 4.7% to 98.8%. Mental health awareness, initially absent among respondents, reached 96.5%, underscoring the program’s strong emphasis on emotional well-being. Improvements in critical thinking and problem-solving followed a similar pattern, increasing from 0% to 96.5%. Youth also developed more positive perspectives on sensitive issues such as religion, caste, inequality, regionalism, and linguistic differences, rising from 3.5% to a full 100%. Overall life skills development was rated as Excellent by 22.1% of participants, Above Average by 70.9%, and Average by 7%. Civic participation, which initially stood at only 2.3%, climbed to 96.5%, indicating a remarkable shift toward active citizenship.
The Yuvasahayogi component produced equally transformative outcomes. Access to career counselling increased from 2.3% to 97.7%, demonstrating the pressing need for guidance in this area. Confidence in exploring career options rose from 17.4% to 97.7%, while decision-making confidence regarding future professions reached 98.8%. All respondents reported personal and professional growth through mentorship, and civic engagement reached 98.8%, indicating that youth were not only learning but also applying their knowledge within the community. Participants described their motivation as being rooted in personal satisfaction, a sense of social responsibility, leadership aspirations, and the desire to contribute meaningfully to society. Many also acknowledged the influence of role models and mentors in shaping their commitment and confidence. Out of the total sample, 30 youth progressed to the advanced YuvaSathi level, demonstrating exceptional leadership abilities and a readiness to take up independent social initiatives. These individuals are expected to play a significant role in shaping community development efforts in the coming years.
Many youth expressed hesitation in discussing sensitive topics, and over 93% initially reported feeling disconnected from their community and local governance processes. A large number lacked the confidence to navigate essential documentation requirements or pursue career-related steps independently. To address these challenges, Y4C shifted its approach by prioritizing experiential learning, community mapping, and practical civic projects over purely theoretical discussions. This hands-on approach led to increased engagement and helped participants link learning with real-world experiences. The program also discovered that connecting activities to intrinsic motivations—such as the desire for personal satisfaction, contributing to society, or gaining recognition—significantly improved participation and long-term commitment. Creating safe spaces and offering consistent mentorship played a central role in helping youth develop their voice, agency, and sense of belonging.
Broader Significance and Way Forward
The Youth4Change initiative has emerged as a dynamic model for urban youth empowerment, demonstrating that with the right support, marginalized young people can become leaders and changemakers within their societies. The program has created an ecosystem where youth feel confident to communicate, advocate, and lead on issues such as gender equity, community development, and social justice. By linking personal development with collective action, Y4C positions young people as key actors in shaping inclusive and resilient communities. Moving forward, the initiative aims to scale through institutional partnerships, thematic hubs like Media4Change and Youth Professional, and the integration of youth representation into policy spaces. The model’s adaptability and its effectiveness in strengthening civic identity make it highly suitable for replication across other urban centers in India, offering a strong blueprint for community-led social transformation through youth leadership.
References
Free Press Journal. (2025, January 7). Pimpri-Chinchwad: PCMC surveys 31,400 households to shape youth empowerment programmes. https://www.freepressjournal.in/pune/pimpri-chinchwad-pcmc-surveys-31400-households-to-shape-youth-empowerment-programmes Indian Express. (2017, July 24). Bursting at the seams: Pune among cities with the most young. https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/bursting-at-the-seams-pune-among-cities-with-most-young-4763944/
