Youth Development Foundation (YDF) is a not-for-profit and non-governmental legally registered youth-led organization that has been working on interfaith harmony, social inclusion and cultural pluralism since 2010. YDF brings together youth from diverse cultural, religious and geographical background to counter growing trends of extremism through innovative ideas. YDF has been able to bring positive cultural changes in three Pakistani provinces by directly affecting more than 2,000 young people every year. Due to its contribution for positive social change in Pakistan, YDF got opportunity to present intervention regarding youth contribution in conflict mitigation at UN Minority Forum 2013, Geneva, Switzerland and UNAOC Global Forum 2016, Baku, Azerbaijan.
YDF serves as a network of diverse youth, which works for: developing youth, and element that effect youth directly or indirectly, in different capacities, promoting pluralism and respect for religious diversity, and countering the growing trend of violent extremism among youth in Pakistan. Thus, bridging gaps among youth through; interfaith dialogues, friendly relationship and human based coexistence.
The philosophy of YDF focuses on Youth as its primary target as they will be important in the long run. YDF wants to promote religious freedom and cultural diversity not as an alien or foreign concept, but tries to indigenize this idea through local symbols. Through grass root advocacy and social initiatives, YDF has helped in training the new generation of youth entrepreneurs.
Youth Development Foundation has its network of staff and offices spread to about 15 districts and 3 provinces of Pakistan. Currently, YDF has about 21 full time employees and 4 part time employees. Apart from this YDF has an outstanding network of volunteers in some of the remote areas like South Punjab and KPK which number to around 658 (female 255, male 403).
YDF has 4 offices in areas of Lahore (Head Office), Multan, Karachi and Faisalabad and a network of dedicated staff members throughout Pakistan. YDF also has its strong network of supporters and partners, which include Aawaz-Response Fund-DFID, Umeed-Jawan - USAID, World Faith Central, Swiss Mission Office, Karachi Youth Initiative, United States Institute of Peace, Pakistan-United States Alumni Network, ACUMEN, Emerging Leaders of Pakistan and others.
YDF also has a large network of Local Supporting Organizations in all most every district of Pakistan. Until now YDF has signed MOUs with about 20 different organizations in almost every area of Punjab, some areas of Sindh and KPK (Khyber Pakhtun Khawah). These organizations include the following but not limited to Centre for Dialogue & Action, FCC; Debating Society, University of Engineering & Technology; FAIZ Resource Foundation; Punjab University; Punjab Youth Ministry and the other important partners.
Through its innovative projects, YDF has been able to bring positive cultural changes in Pakistan in four provinces by directly affecting thousands of youth. YDF is working in Peshawar city which is one of the most volatile regions of Pakistan. After successful completion of our projects in Peshawar, Karachi (Lyari, Korangi and Sultanabad), YDF can now proudly say that it has worked in the hardest of environments and has a long experience, on engaging grass root youth activists through innovative initiatives on sustainable basis. Thus transforming the culture of intolerance and hopelessness into culture of tolerance and hope.
For detailed information, please visit our website: www.ydfpk.org or Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/InterfaithYouthInActionIya
