Mumbai: As the world comes together to celebrate International Youth Day 2026, centred on the theme “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” the importance of ensuring equitable access to education, skills and livelihood opportunities for young people across diverse socio-economic backgrounds comes sharply into focus.
In line with this vision, Pernod Ricard India Foundation (PRIF), in partnership with Youth Dreamers Foundation (YDF), continues to empower youth from underserved communities by enabling access to education, fostering skill development, and building pathways to meaningful employment.
Since 2019, the PRIF Scholarship Support Program has supported 2,576 scholars across Maharashtra, Punjab, and Rajasthan through an integrated model comprising scholarships, mentorship, Digital Learning & Resource Centres (DLRCs), career guidance, and employability-focused interventions Over the last five years, the initiative has disbursed ₹6.91 crore in direct scholarship support while facilitating access to an additional ₹4.77 crore through government and private scholarship schemes, enabling nearly ₹11.68 crore in total educational support.
Beyond financial assistance, the programme focuses on creating sustainable pathways from education to employment. This integrated approach has resulted in a [across supported cohorts, with students progressing into higher education and professional careers at rates significantly higher than state averages.
Supporting youth preparedness for the evolving world of work, PRIF has established community-based Digital Learning & Resource Centres (DLRCs) that serve as local hubs for digital access, skill-building, mentoring, and career readiness. Collectively, these centres have delivered over 250 learning hours, conducted 105 learning sessions, and recorded more than 18,000 visits, helping students build digital literacy, professional competencies, and confidence to navigate academic and career opportunities. The centres also support exposure to emerging workplace skills, helping students become better prepared for an increasingly digital and technology-enabled economy.
Commenting on the initiative, a spokesperson for Pernod Ricard India Foundation said, “The theme ‘Different Contexts, Common Aspirations’ reflects a powerful reality—while young people come from diverse backgrounds, their ambitions for a better future are shared. At Pernod Ricard India Foundation, our focus extends beyond access to education. We are committed to creating an ecosystem that nurtures skills, enables youth from underserved communities to unlock their potential and improves access to employability. The success of the programme is reflected not only in educational outcomes but also in the growing number of scholars transitioning into higher education and employment opportunities. We believe that by investing in young people today, we are helping to build more resilient communities and a more inclusive future"
In addition to educational outcomes, the programme is creating a measurable livelihood impact. Today, the 364 scholars supported under the initiative are employed across 273 companies, collectively generating nearly ₹10 crore in annual income. For many first-generation graduates, these opportunities represent a transformational shift in household income, economic mobility, and long-term career prospects. Scholars have transitioned into sectors such as healthcare, technology, education, and professional services, creating a positive ripple effect for their families and communities.
An independent Social Return on Investment (SROI) assessment found that every ₹1 invested generated ₹3 in measurable social value, reflecting the programme's contribution towards educational attainment, employability, and long-term socio-economic advancement.
The initiative has maintained a strong focus on inclusion, with 70% of scholarship beneficiaries being girls and 70% of scholars belonging to SC, ST, OBC, and economically vulnerable communities. It also supports first-generation learners, including students from single-parent and orphaned backgrounds, helping to remove barriers to educational and economic mobility.
These efforts are further strengthened through community participation and mentorship. In Nashik, employed alumni have collectively contributed nearly ₹3 lakh towards a [community-led fund] designed to support future cohorts of students, fostering a culture of peer support, leadership, and giving back.
As conversations around skills, employability, and workforce readiness continue to gain momentum, Pernod Ricard India Foundation remains committed to expanding opportunities for underserved youth, helping underserved youth transition from education to meaningful careers while contributing to a more skilled, inclusive, and economically resilient India.
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