For 25 years, one organisation has quietly shaped the lives of thousands of young Bhutanese, laying foundations for opportunity, resilience and leadership. Established in 1999, the Youth Development Fund (YDF) has grown into a cornerstone of the country’s youth development landscape, adapting to changing needs while staying rooted in a simple but powerful vision: helping young people realise their full potential.
From its earliest days, YDF recognised that youth development is not a single-issue challenge. Education, employment and well-being are deeply interconnected, and progress in one area often depends on support in another. This understanding led to the organisation’s three-pillar approach — Educate, Employ and Empower — which continues to guide its programmes today.
Education has remained at the heart of YDF’s work. Over the years, the organisation has supported schools, learning initiatives and scholarship programmes designed to ensure that children and young people from diverse backgrounds are not left behind. Among these efforts is a flagship scholarship programme that has enabled many students to pursue higher education and specialised training, opening doors that might otherwise have remained closed. By investing in education, YDF has sought not only to improve academic outcomes, but also to nurture confidence, values and a sense of purpose among young learners.
As Bhutan’s economy and aspirations have evolved, so too has YDF’s focus on employment and innovation. Recognising the challenges young people face in finding meaningful work, the organisation has developed programmes that encourage entrepreneurship, creativity and skills development. Initiatives such as Innovate Bhutan have provided platforms for young people to turn ideas into action, explore new technologies and build enterprises that respond to real-world problems. Through training, mentoring and exposure to innovation ecosystems, YDF has helped prepare youth for a rapidly changing job market.
Equally important has been YDF’s commitment to youth well-being. In recent years, concerns around substance abuse, mental health and social pressures have become more visible, particularly among young people navigating transitions in education and employment. Through specialised rehabilitation and well-being services, including the work of the Bhutan Institute of Well-being, YDF has addressed these issues with compassion and professionalism. These programmes emphasise recovery, resilience and reintegration, recognising that personal well-being is fundamental to individual and societal progress.
One of YDF’s most visible and dynamic contributions has been its promotion of volunteerism and civic engagement. The Young Volunteers in Action (Y-VIA) network has grown into a nationwide movement, mobilising young people to serve their communities while developing leadership and teamwork skills. From environmental initiatives to social outreach, Y-VIA volunteers have demonstrated how youth can be powerful agents of positive change when given the opportunity and support to act.
Looking ahead, YDF is focused on ensuring that its impact endures. This means strengthening strategic programming, building partnerships across sectors and maintaining financial sustainability in a challenging funding environment. By collaborating with government agencies, private sector actors and civil society organisations, YDF aims to amplify its reach and effectiveness while avoiding duplication of efforts.
As it marks a quarter century of service, the Youth Development Fund stands as a testament to what sustained investment in young people can achieve. Its journey reflects not only the evolving needs of Bhutanese youth, but also the enduring belief that empowering the next generation is one of the most meaningful investments a society can make. In the stories of students supported, entrepreneurs launched, lives rebuilt and communities served, YDF’s legacy continues to unfold — shaping the present and future of Bhutan, one young person at a time.
