New Delhi: The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with Citi Foundation, have launched the seventh edition of the Youth Co:Lab National Innovation Challenge for 2024–2025.

This year’s challenge invites young entrepreneurs, including those with disabilities, to develop innovative solutions that enhance access to opportunities and well-being for persons with disabilities (PwDs). The initiative aims to foster social entrepreneurship and drive sustainable development and will be implemented in collaboration with AssisTech Foundation (ATF).

Applications are now open, welcoming young innovators to submit solutions under this year’s theme. The programme will focus on empowering young entrepreneurs and differently abled innovators to work on inclusive and accessible assistive technology, educational technology and skilling solutions, as well as accessible and inclusive care models.

Youth Co:Lab was co-created in 2017 by UNDP and Citi Foundation to empower and invest in youth, accelerating the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through leadership, social innovation, and entrepreneurship. It was launched in India in 2019 in partnership with AIM, NITI Aayog. By the end of 2024, Youth Co:Lab has reached over 19,000 individuals and supported 2,600 youth-led social innovation and entrepreneurship teams through six national theme-specific innovation dialogues.

This edition of Youth Co:Lab 2024–2025, in partnership with AssisTech Foundation, highlights disability inclusion as a core focus. ATF, India’s leading organisation accelerating assistive technology innovation for persons with disabilities, brings its expertise to the programme.

Speaking at the virtual launch, Angela Lusigi, UNDP Resident Representative in India, said, “We firmly believe that young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow—they are the changemakers of today. This belief is embodied in Youth Co:Lab, now in its seventh edition. For the first time, it prioritises startups by and for persons with disabilities. Promoting disability-inclusive development is not just the right thing to do; it’s essential for achieving the SDGs.”

Prateek Madhav, CEO and Co-Founder of AssisTech Foundation, emphasised the role of technology in improving lives. “Imagine AI enabling individuals with visual impairments to walk independently or AR/VR transforming learning for people with autism. As enablers of the assistive technology ecosystem, we are excited to partner with UNDP and AIM for this year’s Youth Co:Lab to improve the lives of persons with disabilities,” he said.

The virtual launch ceremony brought together senior leaders from AIM, UNDP India, ATF, and Citi, along with over 100 ecosystem stakeholders. The event featured a partnership announcement and a launch video streamed live to a wide audience.

The 2025 programme aims to support 30–35 early-stage startups through a springboard programme, offering seed grants to the best-performing startups to scale their initiatives. Young founders aged 18–32, passionate about solving real-world challenges or creating meaningful co-innovation opportunities for disability inclusion, are encouraged to apply.

BI Bureau