About Us

The Youth Center for Research (YCR) began with a simple yet powerful belief: that meaningful change doesn’t have to start at the top. It can begin with young people, rooted in their communities, driven by purpose, and united by learning.

In 2019, we launched YCR in Pakistan as a space for young people to come together, exchange ideas, and collaboratively address local challenges. This hybrid model, where knowledge is not just consumed but created and shared, was designed to challenge top-down development models and instead prioritize the voices and insights of youth.

When the world shifted during the COVID 19 pandemic, so did we. What began as a local initiative transformed into a global network, with young changemakers from across continents joining a movement grounded in collective learning and action. We saw firsthand how digital connection could transcend borders and how shared purpose could unite youth from vastly different contexts.

At YCR, we believe knowledge should be shaped by those who live its realities. Our learning communities are built on the values of equity, co-creation, and local global exchange. Young people don’t just participate in conversations, they lead them. They challenge assumptions, surface overlooked issues, and co design solutions grounded in lived experience.