Dhaka: BRAC awarded three youth teams for presenting innovative ideas, aimed at taking the country forward with their ideas and innovations, a press release said.
The awards were given at the BRAC’s ‘Carnival of Change 2025’, which was held to showcase youths’ ideas, innovations, and initiatives aimed at driving positive social change.
More than 250 young people from across the country participated in this two-day vibrant event, which concluded at the BRAC CDM premises in Savar today (Sunday).
Alongside exhibitions of social initiatives and innovations by young entrepreneurs and innovators, the programme included discussions, dialogues, and workshops.
In the final segment, three outstanding initiatives were awarded from among twelve nominated projects for their creativity, potential to bring positive change, and contribution to local communities. From an initial 50 applications, twelve projects were nominated for the final round.
The three award-winning projects were Stories of Inclusion, an accessible audiobook initiative for children with disabilities; Jolshikha, producing eco-friendly charcoal from coconut shells; and GoodDo Toys, creating educational and inclusive toys for children.
Three youth teams took up the projects.
For the first time, the winners of the Young Changemakers Award 2025 will also receive BRAC’s Social Entrepreneurs’ Fellowship.
Delivering the keynote address, Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed, writer, educator, and Founder of Bishwo Shahitto Kendro, encouraged youth to persevere in life. He said, ‘You do not have to give up on anything. Once something becomes part of your soul, you must follow it’.
In the session titled ‘The Science of Finding a Way’, Asif Saleh, Executive Director of BRAC, addressed the young generation, saying that we must look beyond the world portrayed on social media and focus instead on the real world built by people, for people. Accepting externally imposed ideas does not make one modern or smart; it is essential to value one’s own thinking, identity, and authenticity.
The first day of the event began on Saturday with an inspirational session, Youth Voices Echoing the Essence of Changemaking, followed by the lecture The Way to Success, delivered by Safi Rahman Khan, Director of BRAC’s Human Capital Development Cluster.
One of the highlights of the event was the formal launch of the Amra Notun Young Changemakers Award 2025, inaugurated by Md. Shariful Islam Hasan, Associate Director of BRAC’s Migration Programme and Youth Platform.
To ensure that these initiatives by the youth are institutionally grounded, Amra Notun Network (ANN) was formally launched in 2018.
The first day of the Carnival of Change 2025 served as a platform for recognition, dialogue, and celebration, reaffirming BRAC’s commitment to supporting the next generation of changemakers in Bangladesh and amplifying their voices.
On the second day, the event included sessions, discussions, dialogues, and workshops focused on the personal development of participants, career guidance, and ways to play a positive role in nation-building.
BRAC’s ‘Amra Notun Network’ works closely with university-going young people. Through life-skills training, guidance, and a variety of activities, the platform aims to prepare them for future leadership.
Established in 2018, ANN has now expanded to 17 districts across the country. More than 2,600 young people have received training through this initiative, and many of these young changemakers have earned recognition and awards from the Gates Foundation, NASA, and the United Nations. Alumni of the ‘Amra Notun Network’ remain actively involved in the platform, providing mentorship to their juniors.
