Andhra Pradesh government partners with UNICEF to launch three youth empowerment initiatives

Vijayawada: In a major stride towards empowering the youth in the state, the Andhra Pradesh govt signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with UNICEF to launch three transformative initiatives: Youth For Social Impact (YFSI), YouthHub, and Passport 2 Earning (P2E). The strategic MoU was signed in the presence of HRD, IT & electronics minister Nara Lokesh, UNICEF chief field officer for AP, Karnataka, and Telangana Zelalem Birhanu Taffesse, adolescent and youth development officer Manasa Priya Vasudevan, and others on Wednesday.The three initiatives are aligned with the state govt's ‘One Entrepreneur, One Family' mission and the broader Swarna Andhra 2047 roadmap, reinforcing a shared commitment to fostering innovation, inclusion, and sustainable livelihoods for youth across the state.The first initiative, Youth for Social Impact (YFSI), aims to build a generation of job creators by equipping over 200,000 youth from polytechnic, degree, and engineering institutions with entrepreneurial and problem-solving skills, using UNICEF's global UPSHIFT framework. YouthHub introduces a multilingual digital platform integrated with AP's Naipunyam portal to connect marginalised youth to job and skilling opportunities, as well as volunteering opportunities—ensuring no young person is left behind in the digital economy. Passport to Earning (P2E) offers free, globally competitive digital and professional skills training for youth aged 15 to 29, preparing them to navigate and lead in a rapidly evolving workforce landscape.Speaking on the occasion, Zelalem Birhanu Taffesse and Manasa Priya Vasudevan commended the leadership and vision of the govt, noting: "The state's commitment to youth empowerment and inclusive development stands as a leading example for the country. UNICEF is pleased to collaborate with the AP govt to accelerate progress towards a future where every young person is equipped to thrive and contribute to sustainable development."Principal Secretary (Higher Education) Kona Sashidhar, AP State Skill Development Corporation (APSSDC) CEO G Ganesh Kumar, and others were present.