The Joy Bangla Youth Award, the most significant youth award ceremony in the country, acknowledges the endeavors of young visionaries committed to transforming their communities. Sajeeb Wazed Joy, the ICT Affairs Adviser to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, distributed the Joy Bangla Youth Award 2023 to the winners during an elaborate ceremony at the Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Youth Development in Savar on Saturday, November 18, 2023.
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At the event, Sajeeb Wazed Joy encouraged the younger generation to support the ‘boat’ emblem in opposition to the “arson” violence linked to Jamaat and the BNP.
This year saw 12 organizations being honored with the Joy Bangla Youth Award, the nation’s foremost recognition for young change-makers, marking the seventh edition of the ceremony. The event was broadcast live on private television channels and featured on the Facebook pages of various media outlets, including CRI, the research wing of the ruling Awami League. The award, bestowed in six categories after meticulous selection from over 750 nationwide applications, celebrates the outstanding contributions of youth organizations in Bangladesh to humanitarian causes and societal betterment. Since 2015, Young Bangla, the premier youth platform, has been hosting the Joy Bangla Youth Award.
Driving positive changes
Over the past six seasons, this award has recognized 145 youth-led organizations, sharing their success stories with the people of Bangladesh. In 2023, the awards are conferred upon organizations led by individuals aged 18 to 35, spanning categories such as skills and employment, arts and culture, community well-being, social inclusion, climate and environmental innovation, and communication.
These categories encompass a wide range of initiatives, including women empowerment, child rights, empowerment of persons with disabilities, empowerment of backward people, employment and innovation, creativity and entertainment, knowledge and capacity development, empowerment of the extremely poor, environment and climate change, health care, socio-cultural initiatives, disasters risk reduction, and emergency service delivery.
Young Bangla, currently the largest youth platform with over 300 organizations, along with the awardees, has more than 50,000 volunteers and over 300,000 members associated with its activities. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina herself joined Young Bangla as a member in May 2022. Since its establishment in November 2014, the Joy Bangla Youth Award, named after the historic pro-liberation slogan ‘Joy Bangla,’ has been recognizing and rewarding young people leading organizations that, through their vision and initiatives, catalyze positive societal change.
“The young population will play a leading role in turning the country into a developed one within the next 10-15 years. The youth not only think about problems but also about solutions. You will have to find solutions to all the problems including corruption. The government cannot do the task alone, all should work from their respective positions in unison to face the problems.”
-Sajeeb Wazed Joy, the ICT Affairs Adviser to PM
The Joy Bangla Youth Award details for 2023
The Joy Bangla Youth Award details for 2023 are described below:
Social Inclusion Category:
In this category, 2 organizations won the award. They are;
- Bhalo Kajer Hotel
- Women’s Dreamer Cricket Academy
Bhalo Kajer Hotel
Over the years, the “Bhalo Kajer Hotel” and its distinctive initiatives have won the hearts of many, recently securing the prestigious Joy Bangla Award in the “Social Inclusion” category. Distinguished from any other eatery in Dhaka or the world, this remarkable project operates under a singular condition: to receive a complimentary meal, one must perform one act of kindness each day.
Since 2019, Shehanoor Rahman Asif’s initiative has been dedicated to assisting the landless and floating population in Dhaka. In cases where this condition is unmet, individuals are not turned away empty-handed; instead, they still receive a meal, with the expectation that they fulfill two good deeds the following day. A team of approximately 2,500 volunteers works tirelessly each day to support marginalized individuals, numbering between 1,200 and 1,300.
Women’s Dreamer Cricket Academy
The Women’s Dreamer Cricket Academy is actively striving to foster an inclusive society by taking significant steps to enhance the welfare of overlooked village girls. The academy is dedicated to empowering women, involving them in the realm of sports, and minimizing instances of child marriage.
Skills and Employment Category:
In this category, 2 organizations won the award. They are;
- Wreetu Health and Wellbeing Foundation (Wreetu)
- Sombhabona
Wreetu Health and Wellbeing Foundation (Wreetu)
Umme Shameen Kabir leads the Wreetu Health and Wellbeing Foundation (Wreetu), which is committed to providing menstrual health education and ensuring affordable access to period products for girls and women in Bangladesh. In addition to its focus on menstrual health, the organization is instrumental in offering counseling services related to women’s safety, workplace concerns, and employment opportunities. Wreetu is actively involved in creating awareness among adolescents, emphasizing personal safety and the responsibilities of child-rearing. Furthermore, the foundation arranges training programs and seminars to enhance empowerment and education on diverse aspects of women’s health and well-being.
Sombhabona
Since its founding in 2011, Sombhabona has been actively addressing various social concerns such as sustainable development, women’s empowerment, and the alleviation of gender inequality. Presently, it offers educational opportunities to street children, imparts sewing training to women, and provides other programs for self-sufficiency. The organization has conducted sewing training for 160 women.
Innovation and Communication Category:
In this category, 2 organizations won the award. They are;
- Clear Concept
- Team Atlas
Clear Concept
Since 2019, Md. Hirokh Sheikh’s “Clear Concept,” which has more than 250 active members from 35 institutions and medical colleges around the nation, has been promoting health protection and awareness. It’s a platform for health technologies.
Team Atlas
Since its founding in 2016, Sunny Zubair’s “Team Atlas” has focused on innovation and communication. One of their most notable accomplishments to date is their gold medal win in the World Robotics Championship in robotics and space exploration.
Social Development Category:
In this category, 2 organizations won the award. They are;
- Nupom Foundation
- Altruistic Pupils Youth Organization (APYO)
Nupom Foundation
The “Nupam Foundation” of Dr. Rezaul Karim strives to improve society. The organization organizes blood donation campaigns, develops social ideals, puts on street plays, hosts book fairs, and more.
Altruistic Pupils Youth Organization (APYO)
The “Altruistic Pupils Youth Organisation (APYO)” of Malaching Marmar is dedicated to advancing the development of Rangamati’s underprivileged communities.
This organization has been striving to raise social awareness and offer health services to the Mro community since it was founded in 2017.
Climate and Environmental Protection and Consciousness Raising Category:
In this category, 2 organizations won the award. They are;
- Wildlife and Snake Rescue Team in Bangladesh (WSRTB)
- Eco-Network Global
Wildlife and Snake Rescue Team in Bangladesh (WSRTB)
The Wildlife and Snake Rescue Team in Bangladesh (WSRTBD) is actively raising awareness and safeguarding wildlife across 40 upazilas in the country. The organization offers training and guidance in wildlife conservation, with a particular focus on snake rescue.
Eco-Network Global
Eco-Network Global, under the leadership of Shamim Ahmed Mridha, strives to raise awareness about climate change. The organization, overseen by Mridha, carries out its initiatives through networking and counseling, benefiting over 50,000 individuals with the dedicated efforts of a volunteer team comprising more than 1,500 members.
Art and Culture Category:
In this category, 2 organizations won the award. They are;
- Abhinandan Foundation
- Tonger Gaan
Abhinandan Foundation
Although Rangpur’s reputation as the country’s manga region has greatly improved, the area is still economically underdeveloped. To further expedite the growth, in 2017 Kanchan Chandra Roy founded the “Abhinandan Foundation” with the aid of the impoverished and job resources available in Rangpur. Currently, this organisation serves over 35,000 people via the efforts of more than 100 active members.
Tonger Gaan
Mahmudul Hasan Abir Mia established “Tonger Gaan” with the aim of fostering art, literature, and cultural engagement within the country to connect people with its rich cultural heritage. The organization is actively involved in various social awareness initiatives, addressing topics such as child education, women’s rights and safety, child marriage, and health awareness.
Conclusion
In the vibrant tapestry of youth-led initiatives, the Joy Bangla Youth Award 2023 emerges as a beacon of recognition, honoring 12 outstanding organizations across diverse categories. These stories of resilience, compassion, and innovation exemplify the transformative power young visionaries wield in shaping a better Bangladesh.
