There is a saying that "Old people write history but youth make history." Youth is the main driving force of socio-economic development of a country. Active participation of youth in socio-economic development of the country is therefore essential. The goal of development is devoid of reality. In the relay race of development, the youth take over from the elders. Youth is strong, confident, creative and productive force. They have dreams, addictions and aspirations. They are fickle but fast. If the self-confidence and dynamism of the youth can be controlled and harnessed by creating an appropriate environment, the course of development will be sophisticated and refreshing. It is therefore essential to involve the youth in every phase of national development.

According to the National Youth Policy, the 18-35 age group of Bangladesh is defined as youth. The population of this age group is about one-third of the total population of the country; Which is approximately 5 crores. The youth development department under the Ministry of Youth and Sports is relentlessly striving to transform this industrious, productive and job-seeking youth group into well-organized, disciplined and efficient manpower. To this end, the Department of Youth Development has been taking and implementing real-life programs from the beginning with the aim of involving this potential part of the country's population in the mainstream of national development, awakening a constructive mindset and sense of responsibility among them and creating a favorable environment for engaging the socio-economic activities of the country as a disciplined workforce. Already the national action is being reflected.

In 1978, the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh created the Ministry of Youth Development, which was later renamed as the Ministry of Youth and Sports, with the objective of transforming the unproductive youth into organized productive forces. The Directorate of Youth Development was established in 1981 to implement the activities of the Ministry of Youth and Sports at the field level.

Invitation from us:

Directorate of Youth Development aims to accelerate the development of the country by involving the unemployed youth in the socio-economic development of the country and making them self-reliant. Making relentless efforts to take the country forward by utilizing their passion and motivation. The aim is to train them in various production-oriented subjects and provide loans on very easy terms. Directorate of Youth Development has offices in all districts and upazilas of the country for the implementation of these activities. Besides, there are residential and non-residential (rented house) training centers in 64 districts of the country. Moreover, there are mobile training centers in all upazilas of the country. By taking residential and non-residential and short-term training from these training centers, the unemployed youth are becoming self-reliant through employment and self-employment. Due to lack of publicity about the activities of Youth Development Department, many youths and young women have no idea about the activities of Youth Development Department. We want to convey information about the activities of the Youth Development Department to all the youth and young women of the country. It is our earnest request to all who read this brochure that you inform the unemployed youth about the activities of the Youth Development Department.

Duties of the Department:

According to the distribution of functions of various ministries (Schedule No. 1 of the Rules of Business), the following functions have been assigned to the Directorate of Youth Development under the Ministry of Youth and Sports:

       Youth welfare, training and other related activities.

To encourage voluntary participation of youth in development work.

Liaising with concerned ministries for youth welfare.

Grant of funds for the project.

Youth Award.

Taking programs to encourage the youth to acquire responsible, self-confident and other human qualities.

Research and survey on youth development activities.

Undertake activities aimed at employment for unemployed youth.

Vision of the Department:

Transforming unproductive youth into organized, disciplined and productive forces.

To engage the youth in employment or self-employment by providing skill-enhancing training.

National Development Activities - Engaging Unemployed Youth.

Objectives of the Department:

       a) Engage in youth employment and self-employment through incentives, training, micro-credit and other necessary assistance;

                To involve them in every step of the country's development process including

      b) Organize the youth in different groups to help in group development through non-governmental voluntary youth organizations.

      c) Increasing the number of youth organizations at the local level and ensuring their participation in participatory development processes.

      d) Involvement of youth in socio-economic activities like mass education programs, disaster management, primary health care, environment development, resource conservation etc. and raising awareness about anti-social activities, drug abuse, HIV/AIDS and STDs.

     e) Taking necessary steps to empower youth and enable them to participate in decision-making processes.