On World Youth Skills Day 2025, we recognise the critical importance of equipping young people with the digital skills and AI literacy they need to thrive in an increasingly technology-driven world. In Bangladesh, where over one-third of the population is aged between 15 and 35, the role of digital skills and AI in shaping a resilient and inclusive future cannot be overstated.

At UNDP Bangladesh, we are committed to ensuring that young people are not only prepared for this future but are leading it. Across multiple programmes and partnerships, we are creating pathways for youth to gain practical digital skills, explore AI-driven solutions, and contribute to national priorities through innovation and entrepreneurship.

Supporting Tech-Enabled Social Enterprises

Through Youth Co:Lab and other innovation platforms, UNDP Bangladesh is supporting youth-led startups that are tackling real-world challenges using advanced technologies. In 2025 alone, more than 17 youth-led enterprises have received tailored mentorship, catalytic funding, and access to networks to scale their tech-based solutions.

Examples include Supeyo’s EasySense project, which uses solar-powered RO plants and mobile water vans to ensure clean drinking water in coastal areas. Drishti Technologies is advancing assistive solutions for the visually impaired.

Expanding Access Through Digital Learning Platforms

Recognising that skills development must reach youth across all geographies and backgrounds, UNDP, through the a2i initiative, continues to expand digital skilling at scale. MuktoPaath, Bangladesh’s largest e-learning platform, provides over 450,000 young learners with certified online training on topics such as Python programming, cybersecurity, and digital marketing.

Beyond online access, these platforms have a tangible impact on livelihoods. Many young people have leveraged these skills to start small businesses, shift to new career paths, or enhance their employability.

Connecting Skills to Jobs with AI

One of the flagship initiatives in this space is the National Intelligence for Skills, Education, Employment and Entrepreneurship (NISE) platform, supported by UNDP’s a2i programme. This AI-powered, data-driven national public platform connects over one million youth across all 64 districts to training, job opportunities, freelancing projects, and entrepreneurship support.

NISE’s AI capabilities include real-time labour market insights, automated job matching, and predictive skills forecasting, making it a critical tool for aligning skills development with market demand. Developed with key government and private partners, NISE has gained international recognition and is being adapted in other countries such as Ghana and Somalia.

Reaching Youth in Vulnerable and Remote Contexts

In fragile and underserved communities, UNDP works with partners to ensure no one is left behind. The ISEC (Improving Skills and Economic Opportunities) programme, implemented jointly with ILO, BRAC, and a2i, provides localized training pathways for young women, NEET youth, madrasa graduates, and ethnic minorities in Cox’s Bazar and surrounding areas.

These initiatives have enabled thousands to gain market-relevant digital and caregiving skills, start small businesses, and secure sustainable employment.

Preparing Youth for the Future of Work

As Bangladesh positions itself to benefit from Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) opportunities, UNDP is supporting the development of future-proof curricula in emerging areas such as robotics, AI, AR/VR, and green technologies. To date, 28 new curricula have been designed in collaboration with the Future of Work (Please check the ref link)  team and public training institutes, with 16 already approved by the Bangladesh Technical Education Board (BTEB).

Additionally, youth are being trained in green skills relevant to sustainable agriculture, the blue economy, and renewable energy, supporting Bangladesh’s climate goals while expanding employment opportunities.

Fostering Digital Creativity and Cultural Representation

An important aspect of digital empowerment is cultural representation in emerging technologies. The National AI Art-a-Thon 2025 is a pioneering youth-led initiative that addresses the lack of Global South representation in generative AI tools. By engaging over 10,000 students across major universities, the Art-a-Thon has sparked national dialogue on ethical AI, local cultural inclusion, and digital sovereignty.

Building a Resilient Digital Workforce

Futurenation, a youth-led digital ecosystem, is accelerating these efforts by connecting over 128,000 youth to training, jobs, and global learning resources through partnerships with institutions like HarvardX, Coursera, and the British Council. Its AI-powered learning platforms, mentorship programmes, and freelancing networks are laying the groundwork for a digitally literate, future-ready generation.

Looking Ahead

On World Youth Skills Day 2025, UNDP Bangladesh reaffirms its commitment to empowering youth through digital skills and AI. We will continue to work with government, private sector, and development partners to expand access, build capacity, and strengthen Bangladesh’s national innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Together, we are preparing Bangladesh’s youth not just to participate in the digital future, but to lead it.