SASHAKT

Project Sashakt: Empowering Marginalised Youth With Digital Readiness and Future Skills"

In communities where access to quality education and technology remains limited, the transition from classroom to career is often challenging, especially for first-generation learners. Many young people, particularly adolescent girls, grow up without exposure to digital tools or professional skill environments—leaving them behind in an increasingly competitive, technology-driven world.

To address this gap, Ladli Foundation Trust, a leading community driven organisation with a diverse range of social development initiatives, introduced the Sashakt initiative to strengthen digital literacy and youth empowerment in India. Since its launch in 2015, Sashakt has evolved into the best future skilling programme for marginalised youth, helping learners build digital readiness, confidence, and employability suited to today’s opportunities.

Bridging Digital Inequality Through Accessible Learning

Ladli Foundation’s Sashakt initiative, launched in 2015, aims to bridge the digital divide and empower marginalized youth with essential skills, transforming the career prospects of over 25,000 students. Through eight advanced computer skill centres, Sashakt offers programs tailored to provide practical expertise, preparing young learners for success in a competitive job market. Focused on underprivileged girls and young women, the initiative equips participants with digital and vocational skills that are critical for economic independence and self-sufficiency. Sashakt is more than a training program; it’s a catalyst for social and economic upliftment, helping build a skilled, resilient, and inclusive workforce.

Strengthening Government Schools Through 108 Advanced Digital Labs

Ladli Foundation Trust has strengthened its impact by partnering with the Department of Education, Delhi, to operationalise 108 Advanced Computer Labs equipped with 2160 computers across government schools.

This large-scale initiative is one of the most impactful examples of digital infrastructure development in public schools, offering students early exposure to:

• Skill Development and Job Readiness : Since inception, Sashakt has provided 25,000+ students with skills that are indispensable in today’s job market. By reducing the digital literacy gap, the program has enabled thousands to confidently pursue career opportunities that would have been inaccessible otherwise.

• Digital literacy and productivity tools

• Cyber safety and online hygiene

• Computer-based testing, including mock CUET

• Foundational technology skills that enhance academics and employability

By ensuring that government-school students become digitally confident at an early age, the programme lays the groundwork for best practice digital readiness at scale.

Education Continuity and Economic Empowerment

A cornerstone of the Sashakt model is enabling girls to resume and complete their education. More than 16,000 girls who had previously dropped out have returned to intermediate studies through the programme’s support.

For many learners, Sashakt becomes a stepping stone towards financial independence. Over 2,000 young women and transgender community have begun earning through the practical skills gained at the centres—an outcome that reinforces the programme’s reputation as one of the noteworthy pathways for livelihood readiness and women’s empowerment.

To date, the initiative has trained 25,000+ learners and conducted over 1,500 structured training batches, making it one of the best large scale youth skilling initiatives implemented by a grassroots organisation.

A Scalable and Sustainable Model for Long-Term Change

The success of Sashakt comes from Ladli Foundation Trust’s strategic focus on sustainability and scalability.

The initiative integrates:

• Partnerships with industry to maintain curriculum relevance

• Employer linkages for internships and placements

• Alumni mentorship networks for continuous support

• Blended CSR and scholarship-based funding

• Robust monitoring and evaluation systems

A Future Ready Generation Powered by Opportunity

India’s digital economy is expanding rapidly, but the benefits can only be inclusive if every young person has access to technology and future-ready skills. Through Sashakt, Ladli Foundation Trust is ensuring that marginalised youth—especially girls—are not left behind.

By combining community-based future skilling labs, digital infrastructure in government schools, and a strong emphasis on gender inclusion, Sashakt demonstrates how to create a high performing environment for young people to learn, earn, and thrive.

The initiative illustrates a simple truth: digital readiness is not just a skill—it is a gateway to dignity, opportunity, and long-term empowerment.

With its growing network of centres, expanding partnerships, and proven outcomes, Sashakt continues to shape one of India’s Top models for digital empowerment and future skills development.