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Mission UDAY

Creating Changemakers in Tribal Communities

  • Mission UDAY Training Camp in Koraput

Transforming Challenge into Opportunity

Odisha is home to 64 tribal communities, including 13 particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs). Nearly 40% of its people belong to disadvantaged communities, and poverty levels remain high.

Young people—who make up nearly one-fifth of the state’s population—often face:

  • Child marriage & teenage pregnancy
  • Limited awareness of health and rights
  • School dropouts & unsafe migration for work
  • Lack of access to government schemes
  • Risk of being drawn into extremist groups
  • This demographic challenge is also a historic opportunity. Investing in tribal youth can transform Odisha's social and development indicators.

What We Do

Mission UDAY (2018–2022) was implemented in 38 blocks across Rayagada, Koraput, Kandhamal, and Malkangiri, four of Odisha’s most tribal-dominated and left-wing extremism-affected districts.

  • The project built a cadre of trained tribal youth leaders who act as changemakers in their communities.

Key steps included:

  • District & state-level consultations to involve local leaders and officials
  • Development of a comprehensive 10-day residential training programme
  • Youth-led community awareness programmes and social action projects
  • Linking young people to livelihoods and skill development programmes

Comprehensive 10-Day Training Programme

Life skills, leadership & communication

Sexual & reproductive health

Rights & entitlements (Forest Rights, welfare schemes)

Gender equality & safe migration

Digital literacy & financial management

Livelihood options & social entrepreneurship

Interventions & Activities

Mapping of backward blocks and panchayats

State & district-level youth consultations

Youth selection through nominations & workshops

Development of participatory training module

Mentorship & guidance for youth changemakers

Training of master trainers & youth leaders

Linking trained youth government skill & livelihood schemes

Youth-led awareness & social action projects in villages

Impact Metrics

1,522

youth trained(48% young women) as community changemakers

2,744

community awareness programmesorganized (including 331 on COVID-19)

164

youth-led Social Action Projectscompleted

95

householdsbenefitted under housing schemes (Indira Awaas Yojana, Biju Pucca Ghar)

500

youth trained in digital literacy

50,000

community members reachedacross 641 tribal villages

229

villagers enrolled in pension schemesfacilitated by youth leaders

51

village-level committeesformed to prevent child marriages

  • STORY OF CHANGE

Reaching the Unreached We were told that we could make a difference in the lives of people in our own little ways. That stays with me

Ambika from Tentuligumma Gram Panchayat, Koraput, once walked 8 km and crossed a river just to reach the nearest bank. Most women in her community never had bank accounts—it felt too distant, too difficult.
But after her training under Mission UDAY, Ambika discovered the power of small actions. She has since helped 20 women open their first bank accounts, personally accompanying many from remote hamlets to the block office.
With guidance from the local Anganwadi Worker, Ambika also encouraged women to form Self-Help Groups, supporting them in record-keeping and financial transactions.
Now, Ambika dreams bigger—she wants to spread awareness about government welfare schemes and become a vital link between her community and opportunities that were once out of reach.

Voices from the Ground

— Jhilli Naik, student

“These courses taught me things I usually only hear about on social media. I feel more confident now to take on challenges.”

— Jyoti Nayak, student

“The knowledge I gained will help me in exams, interviews, and debates. It has opened up a new way of learning.”

— Roji Bhoi, student

“I could choose from many courses—cybersecurity, AI, design thinking. They were practical and flexible. This will shape my career path.”

Partners

United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)

Department of Sports & Youth Services, Government of Odisha

Be Part of the Change

Join us in empowering tribal youth to become leaders, changemakers, and bridges to opportunity in their communities.