YouthLink

Today YouthLink is used as a space to provide information, linking people & projects inside Auroville, bridging gaps between generations through organised cultural and educational events, involving the vibrant volunteer energy into the community, and voicing fresh ideas in regard to Auroville's development & encouraging meaningful youth engagement.

Currently, the main aspect of our work includes the following: 

1. Hosting educational gatherings, workshops & seminars.
2. Running ongoing programmes like Help Desk, Awareness Campaign, Youth Integration programme & many more.
3. Organising community gatherings to foster connection & unity.
4. Supporting local commercial and service units & individuals.
5. Driving community oriented projects which foster a richer community experience.

Additionally, YouthLink extends its support to anyone with aspirations of starting an activity, unit, or project within Auroville. We offer information & guidance ensuring they have the necessary tools to bring their ideas to fruition. We also connect them with relevant mentors, projects, and groups that align with their goals, fostering collaboration and synergy within the community.

• To help the integration of youth into the Auroville community and to be a bridge between Auroville and the world.
• To explore and experiment various ways to enable free progress and higher consciousness.
• To be the link that enables continuous flow of wisdom and knowledge throughout generations.
• To initiate and support potential leaders and thinkers to be the driving force of intentional change.

In the coming 5 years we would like to create an educational centre and a social hub. It will be a place of learning as well as socialisation. It will be an educational centre where people come to participate in long and short courses/workshops, touching on both hard skills such as carpentry and forestry, as well as soft skills such as non-violent communication and project management.

In the social aspect, this centre will provide opportunities for youth from both in and out of Auroville to intermingle, share and connect while participating in various activities, such as discussion circles, games, and events.

The YouthLink team will be responsible for the organisation and administration of the said project. We will connect to other existing teachers/organisations and will offer the space and carry the logistic burdens for facilitators and teachers to provide courses and programmes, as well as to hold and maintain the space for social activities. 

Both these aspirations will be backed by facilities such as lecture halls, a workshop, gathering spaces, a cafe, and hostel/dormitories.

All activities carried out in the next five years are to have the 5-year dream in mind, meaning that we will focus on building internal team capacity and organisation skills, creating courses and programmes, and connecting to people and organisations which hold similar values and ideals.

Additionally, YouthLink aspires to become a welcoming platform for young people from around the world to be part of the Auroville community. By fostering inclusivity, and cultural exchange, and providing support systems, we aim to create an environment where young individuals can connect, contribute, and thrive within the community.

Furthermore, we aspire to be a hub for national and international collaborations with other youth organisations. By fostering partnerships, sharing knowledge, and engaging in collaborative projects, we aim to amplify our collective impact and address global challenges together. Through these collaborations, we strive to foster a sense of global citizenship, empowering young individuals to work towards common goals and create positive social change on a broader scale.

YouthLink aims to be a bridge between Auroville, its bio-region, India and the world.

The goal of YouthLink is to foster a sense of community and empowerment among young people by creating a space where young people can come together to explore their interests, develop skills, engage with the community, as well as encourage them to take an active role in shaping the future of Auroville and beyond.

YouthLink has a non-hierarchical and experimental organisational structure that is agile and evolving. It consists of five action teams - Education, Projects, Outreach, Communication, and Administration. Each team is led by a coordinator who oversees their activities. While each action team has a coordinator who oversees their respective activities, the organisational structure of YouthLink encourages collaboration, teamwork, and a shared decision-making process. The non-hierarchical nature of the organisation fosters an environment where all members have an equal voice and contribute to the organisation's growth and evolution. 

The Education Team focuses on educational programs, while the Projects Team works on innovative solutions. The Outreach Team engages the community, and the Communication Team handles internal and external communication. The Administration Team provides support. Collaboration and shared decision-making are valued, empowering young individuals to make a positive impact.

Following are the core values that we stand by:

• Accountability - We empower each other to take ownership of our actions
• Agility - We challenge the status quo with open minds, focus, and speed
• Collaboration - We are strongest when we work together as a team 
• Equality - Respecting and inviting everyone from different walks of life 
• Wholeness - Exploring oneself & being conscious of collective responsibilities

YouthLink looks forward to welcoming volunteers from India or abroad to be part of our team.

YouthLink ensures that volunteers are committed and dedicated to their roles, to provide the best possible support and service to the community. Therefore, YouthLink requires a minimum commitment of 6 months from the volunteers, to allow sufficient time for them to fully integrate into the team and become familiar with the community they serve.

When volunteers join YouthLink, they will undergo an orientation process to learn about the organisation, its mission, values, goals and programmes. They will also receive guidance on their specific roles and responsibilities.

Overall, YouthLink values the contributions of volunteers and strives to provide a meaningful and rewarding experience for all who choose to give their time and energy to YouthLink.

Join us to know more about our community and spirit, and grow your personal interest :)

How to Reach Us

Our office is located in the Town Hall, next to the Avam restaurant, and has a help desk open from Monday to Friday, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. 

Detailed information related to our projects, programmes and services -volunteering opportunities, collaborations, mentors, etc - can be received from there. You can also reach out to us through the contact section below.