Bhubaneswar: The state government, in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund, Rural Electrification Corporation Foundation and the Kalinga Institute of Social Science (KISS), on Wednesday launched Mission Uday to foster champions of change in the tribal communities.

The United Nations' deputy regional director of Asia Pacific region, Jennifer Butler, said the mission was a multi-stakeholder project envisioned to address the challenges faced by young people from the vulnerable tribal communities of Odisha and sought to position youth at the centre of development.

"The mission will endeavour to create change agents in the community and build young leaders, who would engage in social development and influence their peers for betterment of their communities," said Butler during the launching ceremony.

The project aims to build the capacities of 1,000 young boys and girls in leadership, social entrepreneurship and inculcate values of active citizenship, who in turn will engage in the social development processes in as many as 1,000 remote habitations of the state.

The project initially will be implemented in Koraput, Malkangiri and Rayagada. ST and SC development minister Ramesh Majhi said the government accorded high priority to the overall development of the tribal communities.

"We have been implementing a number of programmes to ensure their rights, enhancement of education, skill building, livelihood and employment opportunities. Mission Uday is a step in this direction to help young people take advantage of the government programmes," said Majhi.

Officials are optimistic about a good outcome of the mission since it focuses on skill development and livelihood enhancement and will empower not only young leaders, but also their communities. Foundation director S.K. Gupta said the CSR collaboration with development agencies and the government would add new impetus to flagship programmes.

KISS founder Achyuta Samanta, who was also present during the launching of the mission, said the institute was privileged to be a part of this project and would work closely with the district administration in achieving the envisioned goals.