Riso Ejang: Transformation for economic and social prosperity
Equipping young people in remote tribal communities to lead change
News Alliance
REGIONAL, July 04, 2025: A bold and hopeful youth initiative titled "Youth Engagement towards Financial Prosperity and Self-Actualization"—locally known as Riso Ejang—is gaining momentum in the Karbi Anglong district of Assam. Spearheaded by Dhriiti – The Courage Within, this initiative is equipping young people in remote tribal communities to lead change through entrepreneurship, leadership, and community-driven action.
Launched in July 2024, the project is currently working across 6 villages in Karbi Anglong, a region marked by low employment opportunities, limited access to higher education, and persistent underdevelopment. The central goal of Riso Ejang is to empower local youth (aged 18–35) to envision and work towards financially independent, socially conscious, and ecologically sustainable futures.
In its first year, 10 Entre Leaders—young men and women identified for their leadership and entrepreneurial potential—were selected and trained through a rigorous orientation process and a series of 4 residential training sessions. These sessions focused on entrepreneurship development, community mobilization, and socio-ecological awareness.
Each Entre Leader is actively engaging and mentoring youth in their own communities, reaching out to a total of over 70 youth so far. Together, they have formed youth groups, conducted learning sessions, and led discussions on financial independence, community issues, and climate-conscious action.
Key milestones of the first year include -
- 14+ major activities, including leadership training, exposure visits, public events and Social action taken up by the Entre Leaders and the Youth Leaders;
- The Entre Leaders have developed Enterprise ideas which adhere to the Financial, Social and Ecological (FSE) Framework and aims towards resilience.
- A visit to Mrittika, a clay-based women-led enterprise, offering first-hand experience of local sustainable business models;
- Skills training, such as tailoring and vermicomposting, aligned with youth aspirations;
- Public cultural events in Chokihola, Bornirja, Nambor and Resakhidi led by Entre Leaders on different issues with Socio- Ecological and cultural importance such as – Gender inequality; Climate Resilience; promotion and revival of Karbi cultural ethos and spark intergenerational dialogue; sports as entrepreneurial opportunity.
- Youth-led Social action programs on waste management, promotion of organic farming for a healthy and sustainable environment.
- First ever residential workshop in the remote villages of Karbi Anglong in a homestay started by a youth from Nilip Block named Hardward Hanse.
By embedding entrepreneurship within the social and ecological realities of the region, Riso Ejang is working not only to tackle unemployment, but to instill confidence, creativity, and leadership among Karbi youth. Community stakeholders including Village Councils, Student Unions, and local enterprises have also been actively involved, helping build a support ecosystem for youth-led action.
As the project moves forward, it aims to see the establishment of youth-led enterprises and at least 10 sustainable initiatives that contribute to the prosperity and wellbeing of the region. Riso Ejang is not just a project—it is a growing movement of young changemakers reclaiming their identity and shaping a future rooted in dignity, resilience, and local strength.