Brac’s “Carnival of Change 2025” highlighted young people’s ideas, innovations, and initiatives aimed at driving positive social change.
More than 250 participants from across the country attended the event at Brac CDM premises in Savar on Saturday and Sunday.
Alongside exhibitions of social initiatives and innovations, the program featured discussions, dialogues, and workshops, according to a press release issued on Saturday.
In the final segment, three outstanding initiatives were recognized from among twelve nominated projects for their creativity, potential social impact, and contribution to local communities.
The award-winning projects were:
• Stories of Inclusion, an accessible audiobook initiative for children with disabilities.
• Jolshikha, producing eco-friendly charcoal from coconut shells.
• GoodDo Toys, creating educational and inclusive toys for children.
For the first time, the winners of the “Young Changemakers Award 2025” will also receive Brac’s Social Entrepreneurs’ Fellowship.
Delivering the keynote address, Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed, writer, educator, and founder of Bishwo Shahitto Kendro, encouraged youth to persevere.
He said: “You do not have to give up on anything. Once something becomes part of your soul, you must follow it. Ask yourself what your life wants, what your dreams want. Follow your dreams, and you will taste success. Do something new in your life.”
He added: “What sets humans apart from other creatures? Other beings are one-dimensional, but humans are multidimensional. The beauty of human diversity is limitless. You can achieve greatness through effort.”
Commenting on the young innovators, he said: “The initiatives taken by the members of Amra Notun Network today are driven by genuine conviction. Do not be swayed by laughter or negativity. Humans are remarkable beings, possessing boundless resilience. We get hurt, we break, but we do not give up and neither should you.”
In the session titled “The Science of Finding a Way”, Asif Saleh, executive director of Brac, addressed the youth, highlighting the importance of hope.
He said: “Human beings cannot survive without hope; it is what keeps us dreaming anew.” He urged participants to dream big and learn from challenges, noting that Brac has reached its current position because Sir Fazle Hasan Abed dared to think big.
Noting Bangladesh’s challenges—including unemployment, economic inequality, and climate change—Saleh said young people must step forward to address these issues. “With artificial intelligence and many other forces reshaping the world, young people must broaden the horizons of their thinking,” he added.
He further urged youth to focus on the real world rather than social media portrayals. “Accepting externally imposed ideas does not make one modern or smart; it is essential to value one’s own thinking, identity, and authenticity.”
The first day of the event included an inspirational session, “Youth Voices Echoing the Essence of Changemaking”, followed by the lecture “The Way to Success” by Safi Rahman Khan, director of Brac’s Human Capital Development Cluster. He highlighted that success is subjective and often misrepresented as material gain.
A major highlight was the formal launch of the “Amra Notun Young Changemakers Award 2025”, inaugurated by Md Shariful Islam Hasan, associate director of Brac’s Migration Program and Youth Platform. He said Bangladesh faces many challenges, but it is the youth who will solve them.
From an initial 50 applications, twelve projects were nominated for the final round. Projects not receiving the main award included Eco Care, Uttaron, Arohon, TriRE, Prerona, Project Nirvoya, Shunno, Nandonik, and Humanity Public Library.
The day concluded with a cultural programme featuring performances by renowned Bangladeshi musicians Warfaze and Sovvota.
The second day will include sessions, discussions, and workshops focused on personal development, career guidance, and nation-building.
Brac’s Amra Notun Network works closely with university students, providing life-skills training, guidance, and activities to prepare them for future leadership. Established in 2018, ANN now spans 17 districts and has trained over 2,600 young people, many of whom have received recognition from the Gates Foundation, NASA, and the United Nations. Alumni continue to mentor new participants.
