Convincing today's youth to participate in long-term projects for community development is a challenge. GMRVF took up this challenge. GMRVF believes that the energy, enthusiasm, diversity and innovation of the youth can be tapped by organizing them into groups and providing them with opportunities to serve the communities which they are part of. This belief has proved to be true as many youth clubs and children’s clubs promoted by GMRVF are actively engaged in community development activities.

The youth clubs formed with the facilitation support of GMRVF are encouraged to register themselves with the Government and also to have their own office bearers. GMRVF encourages and facilitates them in various ways like providing leadership training for the members, suggesting programmes and activities, organizing educational tours and exchange visits etc.

Today there are 80 youth and children groups. On an average, each club has around 20 members. With the facilitation and motivation of the Foundation, youth clubs not only organize various community activities like cleanliness drives, plantation drives etc., but also assist in planning and organizing various events and celebrations for community members. Efforts made by these groups have also resulted in increased participation of adult community members in various Foundation programmes.

Highlights:

• The participation of the youth club members has shown significant positive effects on the program management and outputs in many locations.
• Youth clubs organize several activities for the community such as clean and green programme in which they clean up roads and drainages, Shramdan in which they construct roads for the village.
• Information about various schemes and programs of the Government is taken to the community through these youth and children’s clubs.
• Community Children Councils (C-3) is formed at Delhi to ensure Children’s participation in community development process. The Council participates and organizes various programs on education, health, environment awareness at the community level. The council identifies school dropout children and mainstream them and the members of C-3 contribute significantly towards health awareness especially immunization of children. C-3 is equal partner with GMRVF in all community level awareness and sensitization programs.

Case Study:

Youth led Community Service Activities in Seppa, Arunachal Pradesh
The youth clubs in Seppa started getting involved in community development activities during 2009-10. The members of these clubs have initiated and implemented several activities like cleaning and repairing the village roads, repairing the drainage etc. The members of the youth clubs have committed their time and energy in improving the physical conditions of the communities apart from organizing several cultural events. The services of the youth clubs are lauded by the community members and they have started treating the youth with a lot of respect. GMRVF is encouraging the efforts the youth by providing them with sports material, uniforms etc.

"I am feeling so good for being able to give something back to the community. It's not only the community that is benefiting from our activities, we are also benefiting from the rich experiences we are gaining in the process. We are gaining lot of respect too..." said Tope Bam, a youth from Pachi Village.