International Awards & Recognition
Honouring Youth-Led Excellence and Global Impact
The Centre for Development Action (CDA) has been internationally recognized for its innovative, community-driven, and youth-led interventions. These awards affirm our commitment to sustainability, indigenous knowledge, and health equity.
1. Indigenous Peoples Assistance Facility (IPAF) Award
Awarded by: International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), a UN Specialized Agency
Category: Climate Change Risk Management Using Indigenous Knowledge
Details:
CDA was recognized by IFAD under the Indigenous Peoples Assistance Facility (IPAF) for its pioneering work in applying traditional and indigenous practices to mitigate the risks of climate change among tribal communities in India. The initiative emphasized local ownership, traditional resource management, and intergenerational knowledge sharing to build climate resilience.
2. STOP TB Partnership – Challenge Facility for Civil Society Award
Awarded by: World Health Organization (WHO) STOP TB Partnership
Category: Innovative Civil Society Action in TB Prevention and Awareness
Details:
CDA was selected in the First Round of the Challenge Facility for Civil Society (CFCS) by the STOP TB Partnership hosted by WHO. This global award recognized CDA’s innovative and community-engaged approach in raising awareness, improving access, and reducing stigma around tuberculosis among hard-to-reach and vulnerable youth populations.
🔗 STOP TB Global Awards Listing
Why This Matters
These awards not only highlight CDA’s dedication to evidence-based, youth-led development models, but also position the organization as a trusted partner for international collaborations in the areas of:
- Climate resilience and indigenous rights
- Community health and public awareness
- Youth empowerment and behavioural change communication
Centre for Development Action (CDA)
Youth-Led. Impact-Driven. Future-Focused.
Who We Are
Centre for Development Action (CDA) is a national-level, youth-led organization working to empower young people as leaders of peace, inclusion, and social transformation. With a grassroots presence in 28 states of India and a volunteer base of 2,000+ youth (50% female), CDA places youth at the center of development — as planners, decision-makers, and change agents.
Our Mission
To promote youth leadership, community empowerment, active tolerance, and responsible citizenship through innovation, quality programming, measurable impact, and sustainability.
Why Youth? Why Now?
- India’s youth population (18–35) is over 400 million — the largest globally.
- Youth are most affected by violence, exclusion, unemployment, and digital divide.
- They are also best positioned to transform conflicts, drive innovation, and build inclusive communities when empowered.
Our Approach
We empower youth to lead in:
- Peacebuilding & Conflict Transformation
- Youth Rights (Health, Education, Livelihood)
- Leadership & Gender Equality
- Media Literacy & Digital Engagement
- Community-based Innovation & Social Entrepreneurship
Through:
- Capacity-building & skill development
- Intercultural exchanges
- Arts, sports & advocacy
- Partnerships with UN agencies, CSOs, and local governments
Proven Impact
✅ Trained 150 tribal youth (50% female) in livelihood skills to prevent recruitment into left-wing extremism.
✅ Facilitated 34 youth internships from North-East India in MP & Chhattisgarh to support social inclusion of differently abled youth.
✅ Organized exchange visits for 24 youth from Central India to North-East to learn about conflict transformation and youth entrepreneurship.
✅ Engaged youth in conflict-prone zones (ethnic, religious, and gender-based violence) to lead peacebuilding initiatives through storytelling, community outreach, and dialogue circles.
Why Partner With Us?
- 🧒 100% youth-led governance ensures authenticity and deep community trust
- 📍 National footprint with regional expertise
- 📊 Data-driven monitoring & impact tracking
- 💬 Inclusive, gender-equitable programming
- 🔗 Aligned with SDGs, UNESCO, and WHO frameworks
We’re Seeking Support To:
- Scale up youth-led peacebuilding models to new districts
- Launch a Youth Media Lab for countering hate speech & misinformation
- Support a Young Women’s Leadership Fellowship in conflict zones
- Build a digital platform for youth networking, knowledge sharing & innovation
- Strengthen cross-border intercultural exchanges
Let’s Build the Future – Together
CDA invites donors, philanthropists, and institutional funders to invest in a scalable, replicable, and youth-powered model for peace and development.
Email: cdacyfd@gmail.com
Website: www.cdayouth.org
Location: India-wide operations