AIM and NITI Aayog Launch 2025 Youth Co:Lab Challenge to Promote Innovation for Persons with Disabilities
Click to start listening
New Delhi, Dec 23 (NationPress) The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) along with NITI Aayog has officially launched the seventh iteration of the Youth Co:Lab National Innovation Challenge for the years 2024-2025, focused on promoting innovation for individuals with disabilities.
This challenge, which is a collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), will this year be executed in partnership with the AssistTech Foundation (ATF). It invites young innovators, including those with disabilities, to create groundbreaking solutions that "enhance access to opportunities and well-being for Persons with Disabilities" (PwDs).
The initiative is designed to encourage social entrepreneurship and propel sustainable development.
According to NITI Aayog, "Youth Co:Lab, co-established in 2017 by UNDP and Citi Foundation, aims to empower and invest in youth to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through leadership, social innovation, and entrepreneurship."
The challenge was introduced in India in 2019 in partnership with the Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog.
Thus far, Youth Co:Lab has facilitated six national theme-specific dialogues focused on youth social innovation and entrepreneurship in India, reaching over 19,000 individuals and assisting in the establishment or enhancement of 2,600 youth-led social innovation and entrepreneurship teams.
The Youth Co:Lab National Innovation Challenge 2024-2025 is dedicated to developing innovative solutions for inclusive and accessible Assistive Technology (AT), inclusive educational technology, and accessible care models.
Dr. Angela Lusigi, UNDP Resident Representative in India, stated, "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 prioritizes startups by and for persons with disabilities. We understand that promoting disability-inclusive development is not only the right choice but is vital for fulfilling the SDGs."
Prateek Madhav, CEO and Co-Founder of ATF, expressed, "Imagine AI enabling individuals with visual impairments to navigate independently or AR/VR transforming education for those with autism. As facilitators of the Assistive Technology ecosystem, we are thrilled to collaborate with UNDP and AIM for this year’s Youth Co:Lab to enhance the lives of PwDs."
The 2025 program aims to assist 30-35 early-stage startups through a springboard initiative, offering seed grants to the most successful startups to scale their projects.
Young entrepreneurs aged 18-32 who are eager to tackle real-world issues or foster impactful co-innovation opportunities for disability inclusion are invited to apply.
