Gorakhpur: In an effort to turn job seekers into job creators, the Uttar Pradesh govt is preparing to launch ‘Youth Adda’, a customer-facing enterprise ecosystem offering single-window access to skilling, entrepreneurship support, finance and business opportunities for young people.To be implemented by Uttar Pradesh Industrial Consultants Ltd. (UPICON), the programme plans to set up one Youth Adda in each of the state’s 75 districts. Designed as a blended physical-and-digital platform, the centres are intended to bring a wide range of services together, including government schemes, startup assistance, franchise options, MSME facilitation and mentoring.The first centre is set to be launched in Gorakhpur, with rollouts in 16 other districts expected soon after, officials said.UPICON managing director Pravin Singh said the initiative aims to address a persistent challenge for youth, particularly in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities and rural areas, where information about govt schemes, business finance and training remains spread across multiple departments and channels. Youth Adda, he said, is structured to simplify access by offering integrated support covering the journey from idea generation to enterprise creation.According to Singh, the centres will run entrepreneurship development programmes along with digital and vocational training. Courses will also be offered in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, drone operations, electric vehicle maintenance and digital commerce. Participants will receive support with business registration and compliance requirements, including GST processes, Udyam registration and onboarding to e-commerce platforms.A key element of the model is a dedicated loan facilitation desk that will assist aspiring entrepreneurs in preparing business plans, completing documentation and accessing credit under schemes such as PMEGP, MUDRA, Stand-Up India and the Chief Minister Yuva Udyami Yojana. Singh said the centres will also help youth explore more than 100 affordable franchise opportunities across sectors including food and beverages, education, wellness, retail and digital services.To strengthen the local entrepreneurial ecosystem, Youth Adda will host mentorship sessions, “GupShup Talks” with entrepreneurs, startup pitching events and MSME support programmes. Officials said the initiative also seeks to curb migration by promoting district-specific enterprise options aligned with the One District One Product (ODOP) programme and local economic strengths, while bridging gaps between government support, banks, industry and young entrepreneurs.Target for 2027: 5 lakh beneficiariesThe govt has set ambitious targets for the initiative by 2027, including reaching over five lakh young beneficiaries, supporting more than 25,000 youth enterprises and franchisees, facilitating credit mobilisation of over Rs 1,000 crore and assisting more than 10,000 MSMEs.
