Youth Ki Awaaz 2025: How India’s Young Voices Are Shaping the Future
A Thetrendingpeople series that deciphers the ownership of India's major Digital news organisations.
In an era where young people are driving conversations around the world's most pressing issues, India’s Youth Ki Awaaz has emerged as a true beacon of change. Founded in March 2008, this platform—literally meaning "Voice of the Youth"—has evolved into one of India's largest, most trusted youth-led media organizations.
As of April 2025, Youth Ki Awaaz continues to break new ground in participatory journalism, social activism, and youth empowerment.
In this article, we will dive deep into Youth Ki Awaaz’s origin, growth, operations, major initiatives, and how it is shaping India’s future by giving young people a platform to express themselves and take action.
The Birth of Youth Ki Awaaz
When Anshul Tewari founded Youth Ki Awaaz in 2008, the goal was simple yet powerful — to provide young Indians a platform to raise their voice on issues that mattered to them but were often overlooked by mainstream media.
Back then, youth opinions had few public outlets. Traditional media was largely inaccessible to the average young Indian.
Youth Ki Awaaz changed this equation. It invited anyone with a story, an opinion, or a passion for change to write, share, and be heard.
Milestones:
- 2008: Launched as a simple blog.
- 2010: Won Best Blog on Social Causes in India.
- 2010: Won World Summit Youth Award by UN's Global Alliance for ICT and Development.
- 2012–2020: Expanded into major social campaigns, online journalism training, and youth activism programs.
- 2021–2025: Became one of India's most credible and visited youth-driven media platforms.
How Youth Ki Awaaz Works: A Model of Participatory Journalism
Unlike traditional newsrooms, Youth Ki Awaaz operates on an open platform model.
Anyone between the ages of 18 and 35 can write on topics like politics, gender rights, climate change, health, education, or any social issue they feel passionately about.
Key Working Principles:
- Democratizing media: No journalism degree needed — passion and authenticity matter more.
- Training and mentorship: Online journalism internship programs mentor hundreds monthly.
- Editorial support: Volunteer editors and professional journalists help polish impactful stories.
- Community-based approach: Writers interact, collaborate, and amplify each other's voices.
- Digital-first distribution: Heavy focus on mobile, social media, and email newsletters for maximum reach.
By giving the contributors control, Youth Ki Awaaz has created a powerful participatory newsroom model that fuels authentic storytelling.
Major Initiatives: Building More Than Just a Media Platform
Over the years, Youth Ki Awaaz has launched several innovative programs that go beyond publishing articles:
1. Youth Research India
Launched to conduct structured research on issues like healthcare, education, and youth unemployment.
It gathers data directly from young people across India, offering policymakers grassroots-level insights.
2. Youth Action Center
An online and offline network where young change-makers can:
- Learn entrepreneurship and leadership skills,
- Collaborate on social campaigns,
- Access funding and mentorship for civic action projects.
3. Work-from-Home Journalism Internship
One of India’s most popular remote internships:
- 3-month programs teaching content writing, fact-checking, research, and advocacy.
- Over 5,000 alumni have completed it successfully by 2025.
4. Social Change Campaigns
In partnership with global organizations like UN Women, Save The Children, and Amnesty International, Youth Ki Awaaz has led movements on:
- Gender justice (#BreakTheSilence)
- LGBTQIA+ rights (#PrideOn)
- Climate activism (#ActOnClimate)
The Impact: Numbers That Tell a Story
As of 2025, Youth Ki Awaaz’s impact is staggering:
| Category | Figures (April 2025) |
|---|---|
| Monthly Visitors | 5.2 million |
| Total Articles Published | Over 250,000 |
| Contributors | 50,000+ writers |
| Online Campaigns Run | 400+ campaigns |
| Internship Graduates | 5,000+ young journalists |
Real impact:
- Articles published on Youth Ki Awaaz have led to changes in university policies.
- Stories have inspired judicial action on women’s safety cases.
- Campaigns have mobilized over 1 lakh youth volunteers across India.
Youth Ki Awaaz Reviews: What the World Is Saying
Readers' Verdict:
Youth Ki Awaaz has an average Google Review rating of 4.7/5 (as of April 2025). Users praise its authenticity, fresh perspectives, and open contribution model.Critics' Take:
- Hailed as "India’s answer to the Huffington Post for the young" by The Guardian.
- Recognized by The Economic Times as "the future of citizen journalism in India".
Award Highlights:
- 2021: Winner of the Innovation in Journalism Award by WAN-IFRA.
- 2023: Named among the Top 10 Youth Media Initiatives globally by Forbes Impact.
Challenges Youth Ki Awaaz Faces in 2025
Despite its success, the journey isn't without hurdles:
- Information Overload: In the age of quick content, maintaining depth and credibility is a challenge.
- Funding for Independent Journalism: As a platform committed to neutrality and activism, sustainable funding is a constant quest.
- Troll Culture and Online Abuse: Youth writers often face online harassment for speaking truth to power.
- Regional Representation: Expanding reach beyond metros to rural contributors remains a work-in-progress.
Yet, Youth Ki Awaaz’s transparent policies, mental health support initiatives for writers, and inclusive leadership approach continue to address these challenges.
The Road Ahead: Youth Ki Awaaz’s 2030 Vision
Looking ahead, Youth Ki Awaaz aims to:
- Launch multilingual platforms in Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, and Marathi by 2026.
- Expand its Youth Action Center to all major Indian cities.
- Initiate AI-driven editorial tools to help contributors improve content quality.
- Partner with more government bodies to amplify citizen voices in policymaking.
The ultimate goal?
To make Youth Ki Awaaz not just India’s, but the world's largest participatory media platform led by young people.
Why Youth Ki Awaaz Matters More Than Ever
In a world bombarded with fake news, polarization, and media monopolies, Youth Ki Awaaz stands tall as a symbol of hope.
It reminds us that journalism can be participatory, activism can be informed, and young voices can and should lead conversations on India's future.
As India moves toward becoming a $5 trillion economy, platforms like Youth Ki Awaaz ensure that growth is inclusive, democratic, and driven by the energy of its youth.
The voice of the youth isn't just important — it's indispensable.
By - Muskan Bhushan
