This article is sponsored by Access Livelihoods.

“When I saw a waste picker in our warehouse using a laptop to track dry waste, and then being recognised by his community, that is when I realised the power of what we were doing,” says Rishabh Thakur, who enrolled in the Social Entrepreneurship Program (SEP) by Access Livelihoods in 2021.

Imagine walking away from a successful corporate career, stepping into the unknown, and using your skills to solve some of society’s most pressing challenges. It is a tough decision, one that many would shy away from. Yet, this is exactly the path they have chosen for a growing number of young individuals across India.

From the bustling metros of Maharashtra to the hilly terrains of Kerala, and from the tribal belts of Tamil Nadu to rural schools in Andhra Pradesh, these changemakers are using knowledge, technology, and empathy to uplift communities and create long-term impact. At the centre of this movement is Access Livelihoods, a social enterprise that is redefining how India addresses its most urgent development challenges through the power of young minds.

India’s livelihood paradox: Growth without jobs

Despite being among the fastest-growing economies globally, India is caught in a paradox—rapid economic expansion paired with jobless growth and widespread underemployment. While the cities buzz with start-ups and tech hubs, most Indians struggle with underpaid, insecure jobs that barely sustain a living.

A closer look at the numbers

• Around 35% of Indians aged 20–24 are unemployed (CMIE, 2024).
• Approximately 93% of the workforce operates in the informal sector.
• Nearly 45% of India’s workforce remains tied to agriculture, contributing less than 18% to GDP.
• Female labour force participation remains abysmally low, especially in rural areas.

What is holding India back?

Several systemic issues compound India’s employment crisis:

• Skills that don’t match jobs: Many young graduates are armed with degrees but lack practical, job-ready skills.

• Urban-rural divide in opportunities: A large portion of job creation happens in cities, while rural populations are left behind.

• Automation replacing low-skill jobs: With rising digitisation, many entry-level roles are being automated, leaving fewer opportunities.

• Climate threats to rural livelihoods: Droughts, floods, and soil degradation make agriculture even more vulnerable.

India’s employment challenge isn’t just about generating more jobs—it’s about reshaping systems to build capability, encourage entrepreneurship, and invest in resilient and inclusive community-rooted livelihoods.

The TII Fellowship: Redefining development from the ground up

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