The Young Professional Development Society Nepal (YPDSN) is a non-governmental organization dedicated to fostering youth professional development, informal education, self-employment, and livelihood enhancement through the empowerment of women. Operating in Nepal, Portugal, and Cyprus, YPDSN aims to elevate the living standards of impoverished and marginalized populations by implementing strategies centered on community initiatives, engagement, and awareness-raising. Established in 2013, the organization has focused its efforts on underprivileged communities in remote coastal regions of Nepal. Women’s self-support groups serve as the foundation for all interventions and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) activities, empowering them to play an integral role in the broader development process.

Culture possesses the capability to transform entire societies, bolster local communities, and cultivate a profound sense of identity for individuals across all age groups. As a catalyst for youth development and civic engagement, culture is integral to fostering sustainable socio-economic progress for future generations. Young people have the potential to act as bridges between cultures, serving as pivotal agents in the promotion of peace and intercultural understanding. We are committed to an ambitious agenda concerning youth participation that aims not only to engage young individuals in decision-making processes within our organization but also to empower them to take an active role in shaping their own lives, our practices, their communities, and Nepalese society at large. Our youth work initiatives are aligned with key government strategies, and we will persist in ensuring our involvement with all significant policies that impact the lives of young people. There remains considerable work ahead, particularly concerning the goals of raising attainment and advocating for improved and consistent support for youth work, whether universal or targeted across voluntary sectors, local authorities, or agency-led initiatives.

We are committed to strengthening the sustainability of the youth engagement and progression framework by fostering deeper collaboration between youth work organizations and wider support services. Across Nepal, Portugal, and Cyprus, this strategy will be implemented to enhance the consistent and integrated delivery of youth engagement and progression initiatives, ensuring a more cohesive support pathway for young people.

Central to this approach is the recognition that projects and activities should not be viewed as isolated experiences but as foundational stepping stones that encourage continued participation in professional development, empowerment, and lifelong learning opportunities. Youth work plays a critical role in advancing the Government of Nepal’s commitment to enabling individuals to achieve their full potential. Moreover, it makes a substantial contribution to poverty reduction, inequality mitigation, improved educational and employment outcomes, enhanced economic and social well-being, the reduction of health disparities, and the promotion of meaningful civic and social participation among young people.