UNICEF Backs Meghalaya’s Youth Action Group to Boost Participation in Governance

UNICEF India has extended its support to Meghalaya’s newly launched Young People’s Action Group (YPAG), an initiative aimed at enhancing youth participation in governance and policymaking. Launched in March 2026 by the Government of Meghalaya in partnership with UNICEF India and the Centre for Policy, the platform seeks to integrate youth perspectives into state planning. The initiative aligns with the Meghalaya Youth Policy 2021 and focuses on key sectors such as climate action, health, education, and community well-being.
Welcoming the move, UNICEF India described YPAG as a vital platform enabling young people to contribute to areas including climate resilience, water, nutrition, and public health systems. The program is designed to build capacity among youth in research, leadership, and advocacy while encouraging their involvement through consultations, surveys, and policy inputs.
Officials said the initiative aims to create a structured mechanism where youth voices can directly inform decision-making processes. It places special emphasis on inclusion, particularly targeting rural, tribal, and climate-affected communities to ensure broader representation.
YPAG is being supported under the Meghalaya Multisectoral Programme for Adolescent Wellbeing, Empowerment and Resilience (MPOWER), funded by the World Bank. The collaboration highlights a multi-stakeholder approach to fostering participatory governance.
The groundwork for the initiative was laid during a youth consultation held on March 11, 2026, which brought together government officials, civil society representatives, and young leaders. The official launch on March 19 featured panel discussions on youth engagement in climate action and inclusive policymaking.
UNICEF India reiterated its commitment to the initiative, expressing pride in partnering with the Centre for Policy to support the program’s expansion. The organization emphasized that YPAG has the potential to make governance more inclusive, participatory, and future-focused.
With this initiative, Meghalaya aims to empower its youth as active stakeholders in shaping policies and addressing developmental challenges.