BRAC launches ‘Carnival of Change 2025’ showcasing youth innovation and changemaking

BRAC's "Carnival of Change 2025" has begun in Savar, highlighting the ideas, innovations and initiatives of young people working to advance the country.

More than two hundred and fifty youths from different parts of Bangladesh are participating in the two-day event organised by the BRAC Youth Platform on 29 and 30 November.

The programme features an exhibition of social initiatives and innovations by young entrepreneurs and changemakers, alongside discussion sessions, workshops and interactive engagements. Renowned writer, educationist and founder of Bishwo Shahitto Kendro Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed attended the opening day as chief guest.

The first day began with an inspiring session titled "Youth Voices Echoing the Essence of Changemaking", followed by a talk on "The Way to Success" delivered by Safi Rahman Khan, director of BRAC's Human Capital Development Cluster. At around 3pm, Md Shariful Islam Hasan, associate director of BRAC's Migration Programme and Youth Platform, formally inaugurated the "Aamra Notun Young Changemakers Award 2025".

In his speech, Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed said people should not suppress their inner calling. Parents often discourage joy, he said, putting pressure on children to choose subjects they do not want. "A person must ask what the soul desires. Follow your dream and you will excel. The question is not what the world wants — but what your life and your dream want from you."

Emphasising diversity in human potential, he said not everyone needs to be a doctor or engineer, nor must life revolve around making money. "Human possibilities are vast. You cannot grow by repeating what others have already done. You must create something new, something different."

Addressing young participants, he added: "Humans are multidimensional — that is our uniqueness. Do not stop. Dream and follow that dream to the top."

In a session titled "The Science of Finding a Way", BRAC Executive Director Asif Saleh told the youth that hope and new dreams are essential for human life. He said bold thinking and a problem-solving mindset are needed to address challenges such as unemployment, inequality and climate change. Referring to Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, he said BRAC reached where it is today because of the founder's ability to think big.

Asif Saleh also urged young people to look beyond curated social media reality and focus on people and the world around them. "Adopting something imposed from outside is not modernity. Valuing your own thoughts and identity is what matters."

Speaking to journalists, he said the "Aamra Notun Network" was originally designed to identify and train changemakers in every district — young people who speak about problems and work towards solutions. "Over the past five to six years, we have built a strong alumni network of around 1,500 young people. They work on local problems, many continuing their projects for one to two years, and some evolving them into potential social enterprises."

He added that many youth-led projects reflect deep concern for the environment. "Their ideas show how emotionally connected this generation is to nature. Many are working on upcycling and climate-related solutions."

BRAC's Human Capital Development Cluster Director Safi Rahman Khan said success has no universal definition; individuals define it through their lived experiences. Society often imposes narrow and materialistic ideas of success, he said, but these do not reflect what truly matters in life.

Awards and winning projects

From the twelve shortlisted projects, three initiatives — "Stories of Inclusion", "Jolshikha" and "Ghuddu Toys" — received awards for creativity, positive social impact and potential to improve local communities. The winning teams will receive support through BRAC's Social Entrepreneurs Fellowship to scale up their work.

Stories of Inclusion works with students with physical disabilities to ensure dignity and equal access to education. The project is raising awareness in primary schools to challenge social stigma, producing audio books for classes one to five to overcome the lack of Braille books, creating sign-language-based videos for hearing-impaired children and launching an e-magazine to share stories and experiences. An inclusive education guideline has also been developed.

Jolshikha produces eco-friendly charcoal from discarded coconut shells, offering an alternative to traditional wood-based charcoal that contributes to carbon emissions. Families affected by river erosion and natural disasters are engaged in production, including 15–20 fishing families in Sagorika, Chattogram. One kilogram of coconut shell charcoal burns for two to three hours, is affordable and can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 60–70%.

Ghuddu Toys focuses on safe toy production to support children's physical and mental development. Instead of low-quality plastic toys that expose children to microplastics, the project produces wooden toys as a safer alternative.

Final segment and cultural programme

The opening day concluded with a cultural performance featuring young members of Aamra Notun Network and popular bands Warfaze and Chybhota, which the youth and invited guests enjoyed.

BRAC said the first day of the Carnival of Change 2025 served as a platform for recognition, dialogue and celebration, reaffirming its commitment to empowering the next generation of changemakers.

The second day of the carnival will include sessions on self-development, career guidance, national engagement and workshops with participating youths.

BRAC's Aamra Notun Network works with university-going students to build future leadership through training, mentoring and various developmental activities. The initiative spans seventeen districts and has trained more than two thousand six hundred youths. Many have earned awards and recognition from the Gates Foundation, NASA and the United Nations. Alumni of the network remain actively engaged with the platform.