The Future is Collective Case Studies of Collective Social Innovation 2025

The vartaLeap Coalition Nurturing inside-out youth leadership Background India has one of the largest youth populations in the world, with nearly 65% of its population (543 million people) under the age of 35, making it a vibrant and dynamic demographic force. This youthful population is characterized by a blend of aspirations, creativity and potential, driving the country’s economic, social and technological transformation. With a literacy rate steadily improving and increasing access to education and digital connectivity, Indian youth are playing pivotal roles in innovation, entrepreneurship and global platforms. However, challenges such as unemployment, skill gaps and access to quality education persist. There is a need for greater inclusion and harmony, requiring strategic investments and policies to harness this demographic dividend effectively. Yet, key institutions – including government, civil society and the corporate sector – are grappling with how to engage this growing population, particularly given generational differences and increasing access to information and technology. According to vartaLeap, “In India, young people are far more opinionated, empowered, evaluative and aspirational. At the same time, young people are also confronted by a diversity of narratives on ideology, identity and social issues, through which they have to navigate to find their own sense of purpose and belonging.” The vartaLeap Coalition was formed in 2019 to enable an evolved understanding and strategy for youth leadership and development in India. The coalition initially started with 40 organizations and has now grown to 150+ members. Initially a community of practice of youth-centric organizations, the coalition has evolved into a cross-sectoral ecosystem. Together, the coalition aims to build vibrant and empowered spaces that nurture the leadership potential of young people to transform themselves and society. Building on Gandhi’s mobilization of youth during the Indian independence movement, vartaLeap aims to understand young people as more than just assets, consumers and workers, and rather as individuals in society whose well-being is linked to that of the community around them. This strategy of bridging the self to society in the form of an evolving continuum of youth work creates the conditions and spaces where youth can multiply their own potential. Headquartered: New Delhi, National Capital Territory, IndiaYear founded Regions represented Entity type Groups assembledOrganizations involved Constituents represented 8 “vartaLabs” (collaborative efforts addressing specific themes) Number of employees Budget range Approximately $1 million (2024-2025 projected)17 10 India (nationwide)150+ members including institutional members (organizations) and individual members (leaders from different sectors, including government and multilateral agencies) ~150,000 young people are engaged through deeply transformative leadership experiences each year (conservative estimate)vartaLeap is not a legal entity; it is a coalition with many registered organizations and individuals participating.2019COLLECTIVE ACTION CASE STUDY The Future is Collective: Case Studies of Collective Social Innovation 69