Our Story
Samvada is a collective of passionate individuals working towards a gender-just, socially inclusive, and environmentally sustainable world. For over 30 years, we have empowered socially and economically disadvantaged youth across India.
By partnering with young people, we explore their journeys, dilemmas, vulnerabilities, and aspirations, helping them make informed decisions and challenge societal norms. Rooted in youth rights and constitutional values, we ensure young people are recognized as citizens with rights today, not just as future leaders.
We believe in co-creating change with youth, fostering critical thinking, self-awareness, and leadership while collaborating with civil society and the state to advocate for youth rights.
Empowering youth to build a gender-just, inclusive, and sustainable world.
Our Vision
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The Beginnings
1986 - 1990
Samvada’s journey began in 1986 with SMILE (Student Mobilization Initiative for Learning through Exposure), connecting elite college students with marginalized communities. In 1989, Anita Ratnam established the Bangalore SMILE Centre, which later evolved into Samvada, fostering youth engagement in social justice.
Growth & Expansion: 1990 - Present
In 2007, we founded Baduku Centre for Livelihood Learning, promoting socially critical livelihoods that prioritize human and ecological needs over market demands. Since 2012, we have expanded into socially and ecologically sensitive regions across India, strengthening youth rights advocacy on a pan-India scale. 2015 onwards we have also committed to creating youth centric knowledge in participatory ways.
Between 1990 and 2010, Samvada inspired youth to explore social movements, launched mentoring workshops (1992), and established Youth Resource Centres (YRCs) across Karnataka (1994). In 2000, the SMILE network evolved into the National Youth Foundation, with Samvada as its coordination unit until 2010.
What We Do
Samvada partners with young people to drive social change. We create safe spaces for youth to develop critical thinking, leadership, and livelihood skills while advocating for youth rights and inclusivity.
Sahayana - Youth Empowerment Programme
Spaces for learning, dialogue, and action
Baduku Centre for Livelihoods Learning
Trainings for ethical and sustainable careers
Kanaja Youth Research & Advocacy Centre
Amplifying youth voices through research & advocacy
YuWyaan - Journeying with youth workers
Training professionals in youth work
“We assist young individuals in understanding their identity, navigating the adult world, and achieving their aspirations.”
— Anita Ratnam, Founder & Managing Trustee
Looking Ahead:
Driven by young changemakers, dedicated staff, and supporters, we remain committed to fostering change, inspiring hope, and shaping an equitable, sustainable future.
Our Commitment to an Inclusive Workplace
We uphold gender equity, social inclusion, sustainability, and youth rights, ensuring a zero-tolerance approach to harassment and fostering a diverse, inclusive work environment. We offer day-care allowances, menstrual leave, extended paternity leave and continuously work toward greater accessibility.