Tribal youth to gain skills via new fellowships

The United Nations in India and the Government of India’s Ministry of Tribal Affairs have launched two new initiatives aimed at giving tribal youth the tools, training, and mentorship to take active roles in their communities and in the workforce.

The Adi Yuva Fellowship and the Adi Karmayogi Volunteers Programme are both designed to empower young people from tribal communities through structured learning, mentorship and career development.

The Adi Yuva Fellowship offers a 12-month paid programme where selected tribal youth receive mentoring, professional development, and access to high-quality learning platforms. Fellows benefit from personalized learning plans, on-the-job exposure, and opportunities to engage with national and international networks. The first batch of 16 Fellows will be selected next month through a competitive process and placed with various UN agencies at national, state, and district levels.

Fellows will also be linked to national skilling and employability schemes such as PMKVY 4.0, NAPS, and PM Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana, creating pathways for post-fellowship careers.

The Adi Karmayogi Volunteers Programme, supported by UNFPA, prepares tribal youth to support local governance and improve the delivery of public services in remote tribal regions. 

During the launch event on 19 September, tribal youth from Odisha, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh shared their individual stories of transformation and empowerment.

Speaking at the launch, UN Resident Coordinator Shombi Sharp described the two initiatives as reflective of the UN’s commitment to promoting inclusive development in India and help tribal youth thrive and lead.

“Under the leadership of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, we are proud to support India’s strength in diversity and help accelerate the journey towards both the 2030 Agenda and Viksit Bharat 2047,” he said.

Vibhu Nayar, Secretary of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, said “this partnership marks a transformative step to enable tribal youth to lead from the frontlines. It will accelerate inclusive progress and ensure that tribal communities remain at the heart of India’s growth story.”