The World Health Organization classifies individuals aged between 10 and 24 years as “young people”. This age group comprises early to late adolescence and youth which forms nearly 30.30 percent (about 373 million) of India’s total population (Census 2011). Considering their significant contribution to the population of the country and its future economic growth, their health, education, wellbeing; and employability are of paramount importance.

Notably, the transition from adolescence to adulthood marks an important period during which an individual develops essential behaviour and thinking patterns, which could determine health-related outcomes. Several studies have shown that wellbeing-related behavioural patterns established during an individual’s early adolescence continue through adulthood and later life impacting their physical and mental health. These studies have also reported a positive association between high levels of satisfaction and happiness with global health, goal attainment, self-esteem, social identity, and community integration, which may act as stable characteristics continuing to early adulthood.

The goals and targets of the SDG 2030 Agenda are interconnected, aiming to integrate the three dimensions of sustainable development: economic, social and environmental. Explicitly or implicitly, young people are deeply embedded within their fabric. Their knowledge, reach and innovative solutions are essential if sustainable development is to be realized. The Sustainable Development Goals are integrated, indivisible and universal, but their long-term success is largely contingent upon how well youth development efforts are integrated into the policies, plans and actions adopted to bring about their realization.

Whilst all SDGs are critical to youth development, almost one-half of SDG targets reference young people explicitly or implicitly with a focus on empowerment, participation and well-being. These are No Poverty (Goal 1), Health (Goal 3), Education (Goal 4), Gender Equality (Goal 5), Employment and Decent Work (Goal 8), Reducing Inequality (Goal 10), Inclusive, Safe, Resilient and Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements (Goal 11), Sustainable Consumption and Production patterns (Goal 12) and Climate Change (Goal 13).

Young people are a major human resource for development, key agents of social change and the driving force of economic development and technological innovation. Connected to each other like never before, young people want to and already contribute to the resilience of their communities, proposing innovative solutions, driving social progress and inspiring political change. They are also agents of change, mobilizing to advance the Sustainable Development Goals to improve the lives of people and the health of the planet. As young leaders of today and tomorrow, youth will not only directly experience the outcome of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and plans but will also be the key driver for their successful implementation. Hence, it is pivotal that youth are informed and engaged with the global vision for the future. It is also vital to raise awareness about the 17 SDGs and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development among youth, build a platform for discussion, and create the conditions for their active engagement.

Today, there are 1.2 billion young people aged 15 to 24 years, accounting for 16 per cent of the global population. The active engagement of youth in sustainable development efforts is central to achieving sustainable, inclusive and stable societies by the target date, and to averting the worst threats and challenges to sustainable development, including the impacts of climate change, unemployment, poverty, gender inequality, conflict, and migration.

Vikas Samvad has, thus, considered it prudent to focus on the development of adolescents and youth to lay out wider arena for their active engagement for their own as well as the society’s good. This vertical seeks to dwell on this emerging core thematic area.

The key interventions forming the content of this thematic domain include the following:

1. Health & Well-being: Sexual and Reproductive Health, Mental Health Support, and Nutrition-Sports-Fitness Initiatives
2. Education and Skills: Quality secondary PLUS Education, Life Skills Education, and Digital Competence.
3. Economic Empowerment: Vocational Training and Skill-Building Aligned with Employment/Livelihoods Opportunities, Entrepreneurship, Microfinance, Mentorship, Startup Incubation, Employability Pathways – Apprenticeships, Internships and Fellowships.
4. Participation and Leadership: Platforms for Voicing Needs, and Opinions in Policymaking, Civic Engagement and Volunteerism, and Leadership Training – Self-Confidence, Advocacy Skills.
5. Protection and Rights: Child Protection Systems, Legal Awareness on Rights and Responsibilities, Safe and Inclusive Spaces.
6. Cross-Cutting Canvas of Principles and Values: Equity, Inclusion, Prioritising the Marginalised Adolescents and Youth (Rural Girls and Youth, Differently-Abled, and Evidence-Based Programming.