Guwahati: The Meghalaya government has established 20 open learning spaces under the Chief Minister’s Youth Centre (CMYC) initiative to foster innovation, problem-solving, and design skills among rural youth.
These centres, designed as free-to-access community hubs, provide tools, activities, and resources to encourage engagement and skill development. The initiative builds on the success of the Trailblazer Community Labs piloted in Sohrarim and Nongwah, Meghalaya, with support from Salesforce.
“These are actually community learning centres in Meghalaya,” said Nagakarthik MP, an engineer and founder of the Sauramandala Foundation. “We piloted the project with the Government of Meghalaya, and now they are funding its expansion," he said.
Currently, the initiative has grown to 22 centres across 13 blocks in 8 districts, supporting over 3,500 youth. First launched as a pilot project in 2019 with two centres, Sauramandala expanded in 2021 and continues to address the lack of learning and skilling opportunities in rural Meghalaya.
Sauramandala, an impact accelerator, collaborates with communities to create sustainable solutions by working with expert organizations rather than acting as an implementing agency. “It is called the Chief Minister’s Youth Centre because it is funded under the Chief Minister’s Youth Policy in Meghalaya. Initially, we started with CSR funding, and after witnessing its success, the government decided to fund the next 20 centres,” Karthik stated.
The learning spaces aim to provide local youth with opportunities to explore their passions without having to migrate for employment. “Many local skilling programs exist, such as those for mechanics, beauticians, or hospitality, but most require youth to leave the state for jobs,” Karthik explained. “We wanted to create spaces where children can learn locally using available online resources while also providing them with a safe and accessible community space.” .png)
The initiative repurposes existing community stalls into vibrant learning hubs, adapting them to local needs. “Different communities and blocks have unique requirements, so ensuring that these centres remain contextually relevant was our first challenge,” Karthik noted. The foundation also faced infrastructural hurdles and difficulties in sourcing high-quality projects.
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In addition to learning spaces, CMYC offers nano grants ranging from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 30,000 to support young innovators in developing business-ready products. “If someone approaches us with a product that has market potential, we provide financial assistance to help refine and scale their project,” Karthik added.
With the Meghalaya government’s support, the Chief Minister’s Youth Centres are set to become dynamic spaces for learning, innovation, and community empowerment. The initiative ensures that local youth have the resources and opportunities to thrive without having to leave their hometowns.
While the foundation primarily operates in Meghalaya, it has also undertaken projects in Assam, Nagaland, Jammu and Kashmir, furthering its mission of fostering grassroots innovation and skill development.
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