Marking a major step toward youth empowerment and grassroots capacity building, SDC Foundation, in collaboration with global engineering consultancy Ramboll, launched Project Pahal - a transformative nine-month initiative aimed at equipping young people, especially from underserved communities, with critical life and career skills.
Launched in Dehradun, Project Pahal is centered around four key pillars: digital literacy, entrepreneurship, social leadership, and career development. The program is designed not only to enhance employability but also to build self-confidence and a sense of social responsibility among youth.
What sets Project Pahal apart is its well-rounded curriculum that blends practical learning with social sensitivity. Participants will be trained in storytelling, innovation, leadership, problem-solving, and the application of emerging tools such as artificial intelligence in shaping career paths. At the same time, the program addresses important societal themes such as mental health, gender-based violence, and climate change, helping young participants think critically and create inclusive, community-level solutions.
The launch event was attended by a diverse group of community members and development professionals. Chief guest Sudhir Sahni, an experienced leader in the corporate and social sectors, applauded the vision behind the initiative. He emphasized that the youth of Uttarakhand possess immense potential and that with the right platform and guidance, they can be catalysts for inclusive growth and progress. “Project Pahal will support them in pursuing their efforts and aspirations,” he said.
Special guest Anup Badola, who has spent more than four decades in the fields of education and health, described Project Pahal as a timely and essential intervention. He spoke about the need to go beyond skill development and focus on nurturing curiosity, resilience, and self-belief—especially among youth facing economic and social challenges.
Representing the host organization, SDC Foundation’s Founder Anoop Nautiyal called the project a “new beginning” for the organization’s work in the youth development space. Expressing gratitude to Ramboll for its support, he outlined the Foundation’s ambition to scale the initiative across Uttarakhand in the coming years, aiming to create measurable social impact.
The launch event also featured interactive sessions led by Rishabh Srivastava and Gautam Kumar from SDC Foundation, who engaged participants in conversations around the themes of the program. Several team members including Prerna Raturi, Dinesh Semwal, Pyare Lal, and Praveen Upreti were present to support and coordinate the event, which was attended by enthusiastic youth and community members.
