Objective

To create an experiential, technology-enabled, and personalised fellowship that cultivates holistic development spanning personal growth, professional development, and cross-sector capabilities—enabling youth to unlock their full potential and become confident agents of change.

Project Summary

The NexGen Graduate Fellowship Programme, implemented by JAAGO Foundation Trust and YouthNet Global under the Nagorikata: Civic Engagement Fund (CEF), is a transformative initiative designed to empower Bangladeshi youth by providing integrated life skills, professional competencies, and real-world exposure. The project aims to address the critical gaps in holistic development where current programs often focus narrowly on formal education rather than the adaptability and resilience needed for success in evolving contexts. At the heart of this project is the belief that shifting from traditional civic activism to an experiential model is essential for fostering a generation of leaders capable of navigating the interconnected realities of governance, the private sector, and civil society.

The project will facilitate a six-month modular fellowship journey, offering a technology-enabled platform that integrates immersive placements within a Quad-Helix framework. Fellows will participate in intensive capacity-building sessions during the first three months, focusing on emotional intelligence, systems thinking, and digital literacy. These participants, selected from diverse backgrounds including early-career professionals and recent graduates, will then transition into three-month sectoral practicums within host institutions. They will be trained to apply their learning to practical, real-world challenges, specifically targeting the improvement of community-based outcomes and institutional responsiveness. As part of this journey, fellows will engage in cross-sectoral collaboration to bridge the gap between young people and the institutional environments of government and academia.

One of the central components of this initiative is the creation of a sustainable network of alumni changemakers and the establishment of cross-sector referral linkages. Through residential training and mentorship, the project seeks to create a unified movement of resilient, future-ready leaders who can influence national development priorities. These interventions are designed to highlight how cross-sectoral synergy can drive innovative solutions for societal progress across Bangladesh. By equipping youth with these advanced capabilities, the program will inspire active participation in civic life, making fellows more aware of the impact they can hold in shaping a more inclusive and responsive nation.

The overarching goal of the NexGen Graduate Fellowship Programme is to bridge the gap in professional and personal development among young people across Bangladesh. By fostering youth agency and ensuring that young leaders are equipped with the skills to collaborate across different sectors, the project will ensure that youth voices are represented in decision-making processes. Furthermore, this project will help build an environment where youth not only participate in development but also drive the creation of inclusive policies that affect their communities. The project will focus on experiential learning, ensuring that youth leadership goes beyond theoretical knowledge and instead promotes a holistic approach to professional and civic excellence. Ultimately, the project will build a stronger, more resilient future for Bangladesh, where young people are active contributors to the nation's social, economic, and environmental progress.