Call for Technical and Implementation Support for ImaGen Ventures (India)

UNICEF has launched a Call for Expression of Interest to identify organizations that can provide technical and implementation support for the ImaGen Ventures programme across Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. The programme, part of UNICEF YuWaah and based on the UPSHIFT methodology, helps young people aged 16–29 develop innovation, entrepreneurship, problem-solving, digital, and future-ready skills.

What Is the UNICEF ImaGen Ventures Programme?

The ImaGen Ventures programme is a youth innovation and entrepreneurship initiative implemented under UNICEF YuWaah to help young people develop skills needed for innovation, social problem-solving, and enterprise development.

The programme is designed to support youth in identifying community challenges, creating practical solutions, developing prototypes, and building entrepreneurial capabilities.

It uses the UPSHIFT methodology, a UNICEF-supported approach that combines:

• Innovation training
• Design thinking
• Problem-solving
• Mentorship
• Entrepreneurship development
• Experiential learning

Purpose of the Call for Expression of Interest

UNICEF is seeking qualified organizations to provide technical and implementation support for expanding ImaGen Ventures activities in:

• Andhra Pradesh
• Karnataka

The selected partner organization will help strengthen programme delivery, improve implementation quality, support youth engagement, and create systems for long-term institutionalisation.

Objectives of the ImaGen Ventures Programme

The programme aims to:

• Build innovation skills among young people
• Develop entrepreneurial thinking
• Encourage youth-led solutions to social challenges
• Improve digital and future skills
• Provide mentorship and practical learning opportunities
• Support prototype development and enterprise pathways

Target Participants

ImaGen Ventures is designed for young people aged:

16–29 years

The programme engages youth from:

• Colleges
• Universities
• Polytechnics
• Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs)
• Higher education institutions
• Vocational training institutions

Priority Groups

The programme gives special attention to:

• Young women
• Rural youth
• Tribal youth
• First-generation learners
• Students from government institutions
• Youth from underserved communities

Key Features of ImaGen Ventures

The programme provides a structured innovation journey for participants.

Digital Learning and Skill Development

Participants access learning resources focused on:

• Innovation skills
• Entrepreneurship concepts
• Problem-solving techniques
• Digital skills
• Future workplace skills

Team Formation and Idea Development

Young participants work together to:

• Identify local challenges
• Develop innovative ideas
• Create solution concepts
• Build teamwork skills

Mentoring and Bootcamps

Participants receive support through:

• Expert mentoring
• Innovation bootcamps
• Problem-solving sessions
• Prototype development guidance

Prototype Refinement and Pitching

Participants refine their solutions through:

• Feedback sessions
• Prototype improvement
• Evaluation processes
• Pitch presentations

Enterprise and Ecosystem Support

The programme connects youth innovations with:

• Government schemes
• Entrepreneurship networks
• Ecosystem partners
• Support institutions

Programme Implementation Areas

The next phase of ImaGen Ventures will focus on two Indian states.

Andhra Pradesh

Implementation will be coordinated with:

• Ratan Tata Innovation Hub
• State ecosystem partners

The focus will be on strengthening innovation pathways for youth institutions across the state.

Karnataka

Implementation will be coordinated with:

• Higher Education Department
• Institutional partners

The programme will support youth innovation activities through higher education networks.

Role of the Selected Partner Organization

The selected organization will provide technical and operational support across both states.

Responsibilities include:

Developing an Implementation Plan

The partner will support:

• Consolidated programme planning
• State-level coordination
• Implementation strategies
• Operational timelines

Creating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

The organization will develop and implement SOPs to ensure:

• Consistent programme delivery
• Quality standards
• Clear operational processes

Institution Onboarding

The partner will support:

• Identification of participating institutions
• Faculty coordinator onboarding
• Orientation sessions
• Institutional engagement

Youth Mobilisation

Activities will include:

• Reaching eligible youth participants
• Promoting programme participation
• Supporting inclusive participation

Mentoring and Bootcamp Management

The partner will facilitate:

• Mentor engagement
• Bootcamp delivery
• Learning activities
• Innovation support sessions

Monitoring, Documentation and Evidence Generation

The organization will maintain:

• Programme monitoring data
• Participant records
• Progress reports
• Learning documentation
• Implementation insights

These efforts will support future expansion and institutionalisation of the programme.

Who Is Eligible to Participate?

UNICEF is seeking organizations with experience in youth development, entrepreneurship, innovation, and programme implementation.

Eligible organizations should have expertise in areas such as:

• Technical and vocational education and training (TVET)
• Youth entrepreneurship
• Innovation programmes
• Digital learning
• Mentorship models
• Capacity building
• Monitoring and evaluation
• Ecosystem partnerships

Organizations should demonstrate the ability to work with educational institutions and government stakeholders.

Why the ImaGen Ventures Programme Matters

Young people need skills beyond traditional education to succeed in a changing economy.

The programme helps youth:

• Develop entrepreneurial mindsets
• Solve real-world problems
• Gain practical innovation experience
• Build confidence and leadership skills
• Access mentorship and support networks

By supporting underserved youth, ImaGen Ventures promotes inclusive innovation and economic opportunities.

How the ImaGen Ventures Programme Works

The programme follows a structured innovation process.

Step 1: Youth Engagement and Registration

Young people join the programme through participating institutions and the ImaGen Ventures platform.

Step 2: Digital Learning

Participants complete learning modules to develop:

• Innovation skills
• Entrepreneurship knowledge
• Problem-solving abilities

Step 3: Challenge Identification

Participants identify:

• Community problems
• Social challenges
• Local development needs

Step 4: Solution Development

Teams create solutions through:

• Idea generation
• Mentorship
• Prototype development

Step 5: Evaluation and Pitching

Solutions are reviewed through:

• Expert evaluations
• Bootcamps
• Pitch events

Step 6: Enterprise Support and Scale-Up

Promising solutions may receive:

• Ecosystem connections
• Government scheme linkages
• Additional support opportunities

Tips for Organizations Applying

Organizations preparing an Expression of Interest should:

• Demonstrate experience with youth programmes
• Highlight innovation and entrepreneurship expertise
• Explain institutional partnership experience
• Include monitoring and evaluation capacity
• Show ability to operate across multiple locations

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Submitting proposals without youth engagement experience
• Providing unclear implementation strategies
• Ignoring monitoring requirements
• Failing to demonstrate institutional partnerships
• Not addressing inclusion of vulnerable youth groups

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the UNICEF ImaGen Ventures programme?

ImaGen Ventures is a youth innovation and entrepreneurship programme under UNICEF YuWaah that helps young people develop problem-solving, digital, and entrepreneurial skills.

Who can participate in ImaGen Ventures?

The programme is designed for young people aged 16–29, especially students from colleges, universities, vocational institutions, and underserved communities.

Where will the programme be implemented?

The programme will be implemented across Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

What methodology does ImaGen Ventures use?

The programme uses the UNICEF UPSHIFT methodology, which focuses on youth-led innovation and social problem-solving.

What support will the selected organization provide?

The selected partner will support implementation planning, institution onboarding, mentoring, bootcamps, monitoring, documentation, and programme improvement.

Which youth groups receive priority support?

Priority is given to young women, rural youth, tribal youth, first-generation learners, and youth from underserved institutions.

Why is UNICEF supporting this programme?

UNICEF supports ImaGen Ventures to help young people gain future-ready skills, create solutions for community challenges, and access entrepreneurship opportunities.

Conclusion

The UNICEF ImaGen Ventures programme provides a structured pathway for young people in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka to develop innovation, entrepreneurship, and problem-solving skills. Through technical support, mentorship, digital learning, and institutional partnerships, the programme aims to empower youth to create solutions for social challenges.

By partnering with capable organizations, UNICEF seeks to strengthen programme delivery, expand youth participation, and build a sustainable innovation ecosystem that supports young entrepreneurs and future leaders.