Youth Center for Research (YCR)
International Platform to Build Learning Communities
What do we do?
Youth Center for Research envisions a future in which development is understood as an intergenerational and transnational endeavor, where youth spearhead community action through a deeper understanding of development issues.
To realize this vision, we create inclusive and accessible learning communities that connect young people, scholars, and practitioners across borders. These spaces nurture critical engagement, foster meaningful dialogue, and encourage collaborative inquiry into the most pressing challenges of our time.
Rooted in research, mentorship, and collaboration, YCR empowers youth to explore development through a global lens while grounding their understanding in local realities. By transforming ideas into action-oriented research and dialogue, we help young people become informed changemakers who can shape more just and connected communities.
Why Youth?
Young people aged 15–24 make up about 16% of the global population. This percentage increases significantly when youth are defined more broadly—up to age 30 or 35, as some organizations and countries do. In many developing countries, over half the population is under the age of 30.
With such a significant demographic presence, unlocking youth potential is critical—not just for the future, but for today. Youth should not be seen merely as recipients of development. They are powerful contributors, capable of leading and shaping the development agenda themselves.
How we work
We co-design hybrid programs and workshops to invite global participation from young people, practitioners and scholars to co-develop interventions for community action or knowledge dissemination.
We build partnerships with local NGOs, universities and other institutions to foster ecosystem where youth voices shape cross-border understanding and drive collective problem-solving.
We mentor and equip both youth and partner institutions to integrate research-based dialogue, inclusive practices, and community-driven approaches into their initiatives for greater local impact.
Our Core Values
Our Programs
Our Thematic Areas
Our focus areas are community-driven, but they broadly cover the following themes:
Education & Innovation
We promote equitable access to education while fostering creativity and innovation. Through collaborative learning and cutting-edge solutions, we equip young people with the tools to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Health & Wellbeing
We tackle health disparities and promote social well-being by encouraging youth participation in initiatives that advance public health, mental wellness, and social inclusion. Our goal is to create healthier and more equitable communities.
Gender Equality & Social Justice
Environment & Climate Action
We address pressing environmental challenges by promoting sustainable practices and youth-led initiatives to combat climate change. Our work focuses on protecting ecosystems, raising awareness, and advocating for climate justice.
Governance & Civic Engagement
We aim to empower youth to actively participate in governance processes, strengthen democratic values, and drive positive change within their communities. By fostering civic awareness and leadership, we help build more inclusive and accountable societies.
Impact
Why we do what we do?
Youth are not just learners—they are mediators of local and global connections, shaping knowledge through lived experience. At YCR, we foster spaces where collective learning drives action, and young voices are catalysts for change.
“When youth speak, it is not just noise—it is knowledge. Silencing them is an act of epistemic violence.”
Blog
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City, Inequality and Trans life: An analysis of heteronormative urbanization
City, Inequality and Trans life: An analysis of heteronormative urbanization
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