Rooted in a royal vision and nurtured by the guiding principles of Gross National Happiness, the Bhutan Youth Development Fund (YDF) has spent a quarter-century empowering young Bhutanese to become compassionate, creative, and productive citizens. Since its founding in 1998, YDF has grown into a nationwide movement—supporting programs that bridge modern education and cultural preservation, strengthen youth well-being, and foster leadership in every corner of the country.
YDF was established under a Royal Decree from His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, in 1998. Since its inception, under the leadership of Her Majesty the Queen Mother Tseyring Pem Wangchuck as President, YDF has worked towards a simple yet profound mandate: to give every young person in Bhutan the chance to thrive. Over the years, we have upheld that mandate by building youth centers across all twenty districts, championing drug prevention and rehabilitation, and forging scholarship opportunities for those who might otherwise be left behind.
Our Vision: “A better today, a brighter tomorrow for the youth of Bhutan.”
Our Mission: “To ensure that all youth have equal access to education, meaningful employment, and opportunities to develop their potential.”
Over the past 25 years, YDF has evolved in response to Bhutan’s changing landscape—launching vocational training programs to tackle unemployment, pioneering mental health services for holistic wellbeing, and establishing social enterprises like Waste Paper Recycling to align youth development with environmental stewardship. Highlights from our journey include:
Early 2000s: Initiation of scholarships, addiction rehabilitation services, and support for special needs education—including the Sponsor-a-Monk program.
Mid-2000s: Introduction of youth festivals, international education support, and the construction of youth development centers.
Late 2000s: Expansion into rural youth empowerment and mental health support; launching the Golden Youth Award to celebrate excellence.
2010s: Official recognition as a Public Benefit Organization; increased emphasis on entrepreneurship, ICT literacy, and community health initiatives.
2020 & Beyond: Establishment of Innovate Bhutan to cultivate social enterprises; growth of climate action programs and place-based schools; introduction of the Green Weaving Centre and Gelephu Nazhoen Pelri (Youth) Hub.
Just as we began with a vision ignited by royal guidance, our journey continues with the same spirit of innovation, compassion, and foresight. We strive to create a Bhutan where every youth—whether in a modern classroom, a monastic school, or the workforce—has the support, resources, and inspiration to thrive. As we celebrate our silver jubilee, we recommit to uplifting the lives of Bhutan’s youth, ensuring that tomorrow holds even brighter promise for them, their families, and our nation.
Copyright © 2025 Bhutan Youth Development Fund.
Post Box 255 | Thimphu, Bhutan | tel: +975 2 327483 | fax: +975 2 326730 | info@bhutanyouth.org
