What began over a decade ago as a small youth-led initiative in Bangladesh has now grown into a global movement reshaping how young people engage with development, sustainability, and social justice.

The International Youth Change Maker (IYCM), founded in 2012, is now operating in over 70 countries, with a network of 50,000+ changemakers and 700 international ambassadors. From the rural villages of Kurigram to policy forums in Geneva, the impact of this youth-driven movement is being felt far and wide.

At its core, IYCM aims to empower young people — especially those in underserved communities — to lead initiatives aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“We believe that real change starts from the ground up,” said Sajib Khandokar Junaid, founder of IYCM. “Young people are not just the future; they are the present. And they are capable of leading sustainable, inclusive change right now.”

Grassroots Action, Global Vision

Headquartered in Bangladesh, IYCM works across 13 districts nationally and partners with youth-led groups abroad. Its programs span a wide range of development challenges, including climate resilience, mental health, education equity, gender-based violence, and child rights.

Some of their signature initiatives include: • Mind Care – A mental health awareness and peer support Programm• My Body, My Right – A reproductive health and bodily autonomy campaign• Youth for Children – A child protection and anti-child marriage initiative• Climate Justice Now – A youth-powered climate action movementThrough these and other programmes, IYCM reports having reached more than 1 million lives, with 803,077 direct programme beneficiaries, 86,000 youth trained, and over 80,000 saplings planted annually as part of its environmental mission.

Responding to Crisis with Compassion

Even during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, IYCM continued its work. Under its Corona Tackling Youth Action campaign, the organisation mobilised youth volunteers to distribute food, hygiene kits, and personal protective equipment in low-income urban and rural areas.

“In many cases, we reached areas before larger organisations could mobilise,” said a field coordinator from Mymensingh. “The youth knew the community’s needs best — because they were part of it.”

International Recognition, Local Roots

Over the years, IYCM has been recognised both at home and abroad. The organisation has won the UNICEF Meena Media Awards multiple times, the Bangladesh Digital Social Innovation Award (2021), and the Global Youth Symposia’s Best Youth Organisation Award (2022). Most recently, it received a Global Recognition Award in 2024 for its innovative model of youth engagement.

Yet, its founders remain focused on community-led, sustainable development.

Labiba Sultana, IYCM’s co-founder and a leading voice for gender inclusion, said, “Women in Bangladesh are still fighting for space in leadership. Through IYCM, we’re not just giving them a seat — we’re helping them build the table.”

Towards 2030: A Youth-Led Bangladesh

As the world races to meet the SDG deadline in 2030, IYCM has set its sights on an ambitious goal: to make Bangladesh a global model for youth-led, climate-resilient, and gender-equal development.

Its roadmap includes deeper collaboration with UN agencies, participation in international policy summits, and a continued emphasis on local leadership — particularly among girls and young women.

The organisation’s motto, repeated at every training and rally, remains as powerful as ever: change yourself. change the world.With thousands of youth already carrying that message forward, IYCM is proving that Bangladesh’s young generation is not waiting to inherit the future — they are shaping it now.