
SAHAYANA
Youth Empowerment Programme
Our mission is to mentor youth leaders, empowering them with fresh perspectives to foster a just, humane, and sustainable world. We aim to help young people navigate personal dilemmas and conflicts through reflective and ethical frameworks.

The
Fifth Space
The Fifth Space offers young people a realm beyond family, friends, education, work, and leisure. Here, they gain perspective and explore various dimensions of their identity—relationships, spirituality, ethics, and worldviews. It’s a space for sharing experiences, receiving guidance, and achieving acceptance through Youth Resource Centres (YRCs).
Through residential courses and workshops, Samvada mentors help young people explore their unique worlds via one-on-one discussions and collaborative activities. This space brings together a diversity of identities and experiences, cultivating a legacy of youth leaders dedicated to social and ecological justice. Many go on to partner with local movements to create a just, humane, and sustainable society.
Impact So Far:
Youth Reached
228,350 +
Youth Leaders Created
1,578 +


Program Offerings
Sensitization & Life Skills
Our workshops, called Nota (meaning “perspectives” or “ways of seeing” in Kannada), encourage young people to reflect on their lives through social and historical lenses. • Ola Nota (Society and Me): This workshop helps young people examine their personal journeys, dreams, and experiences. Through critical discussion, they analyze societal structures and socialization layers, with mentors guiding them in understanding societal hegemonies. • Hasiru Nota (Environment and Me): Participants explore the environmental impact of lifestyle choices, assess their carbon footprints, and evaluate consumption patterns. The workshop critiques sustainable development and climate change, promoting innovative approaches to a greener world. • Bahutva Nota (Pluralism and Me): This workshop introduces young people to peace and pluralism by exploring metaphysical questions, different faiths, and shared human values. It fosters a spirit of unity and mutual respect amidst religious differences. • Inclusion Nota (Social Inclusion and Me): Through this workshop, participants explore historical forces that marginalize various groups, fostering sensitivity and a commitment to creating an inclusive world. • Vruthi Nota (Livelihood Planning): A career-focused workshop, Vruthi Nota helps young people explore various career paths, understand their aspirations, and receive guidance towards fulfilling professional lives.
Leadership Training
For those with a demonstrated passion and aptitude for leadership, we offer training in contemporary social issues and essential leadership skills: • Leadership for Social Change: This workshop explores pressing global issues such as globalization, fundamentalism, ecological crises, and youth activism. Participants gain skills in group dynamics, consensus-building, decision-making, and conflict management. • Campaign Training: Young leaders receive practical training in event design, slogan crafting, communication skills, team management, and coordinating with colleges, media, and communities. • Campaign Coordination: Leaders participate in real-life campaigns for youth rights across campuses and YRCs, building their confidence and ability to be changemakers. • Social Movements and Initiatives for Change: Budding leaders learn about various social movements, key activists, and NGOs championing social justice. By discussing philosophies, strategies, and impacts, they gain inspiration and practical skills for initiating change. • Constitutional Values and Youth Rights Workshops: Leaders gain awareness of their rights and constitutional responsibilities, equipping them to advocate for justice, liberty, equality, democracy, and secularism both individually and collectively. • Youth Club Building: Leaders form youth clubs to advocate for youth rights, constitutional values, and democratic engagement at local, regional, and national levels. They contribute to decisions regarding youth budgets and policy.
Youth Support
The YRCs provide essential support, including access to libraries, computers, and the internet. Youth mentors offer ongoing guidance, helping young people pursue their dreams and aspirations. Additionally, YRCs provide financial assistance to those whose education is at risk and offer crisis support in cases of medical or personal emergencies.
