Karnataka’s Department of Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Livelihoods is initiating a program called “Yuva Sambuddhi” (Youth Insight) to engage students in addressing challenges faced by the unorganised sector. The program aims to tap into student innovation to improve the livelihoods of workers in this sector, which comprises approximately 93% of Karnataka’s workforce.
Yuva Sambuddhi will involve students from universities and colleges across the state visiting unorganised sector workplaces – including construction sites, auto and taxi stands, garment factories, and agricultural fields – to understand the issues firsthand. They will then be tasked with developing innovative solutions, focusing on areas like productivity enhancement, safety improvements, skill development, and market linkages.
The department will provide a stipend of ₹5,000 per month to participating students for a period of six months. They will work under the guidance of faculty mentors and industry experts. Selected ideas will be eligible for seed funding of up to ₹5 lakh to facilitate prototyping and implementation.
The program’s initial phase will focus on five key sectors: construction, transportation, garment manufacturing, agriculture, and retail. The department intends to expand the scope to include other unorganised sector activities based on the program’s success.
Officials highlight the potential of student-led innovation to address long-standing problems in the unorganised sector, such as low wages, lack of social security, and unsafe working conditions. The initiative is also seen as a way to promote entrepreneurship among students and connect them with real-world challenges.
The program launch event featured discussions on the importance of understanding the needs of unorganised sector workers and the role of technology in creating sustainable solutions. The department hopes Yuva Sambuddhi will foster a collaborative ecosystem involving students, academia, industry, and government to improve the lives of millions of unorganised sector workers in Karnataka. A dedicated portal will be launched for student registration and idea submission.
