YouthNet has been named one of five national finalists for the SEOY India 2026 Award, recognising its two decades of work in youth development, entrepreneurship and livelihoods.
DIMAPUR — YouthNet, Nagaland’s first and largest youth development and social enterprise, has been named one of five national finalists for the 17th Social Entrepreneur of the Year (SEOY) India 2026 Award, placing the organisation among some of the country’s prominent social change-makers.
The award, presented jointly by the Jubilant Bhartia Foundation (JBF) and the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, a sister organisation of the World Economic Forum, was announced at a ceremony in New Delhi, according to a press release issued by YouthNet.
YouthNet director and chief functionary Nuneseno Chase represented the organisation among the five finalists selected from across India.
The organisation was recognised for its work in advancing youth-led development through education, livelihoods, entrepreneurship and environmental sustainability initiatives across Nagaland and the wider Northeast.
The 2026 SEOY India Award was presented to Nidhi Pant, co-founder of S4S Technologies, for developing biotechnology-based solutions that convert agricultural waste into eco-friendly products for smallholder women farmers.
The four other finalists, including Chase, were selected from a national pool for their work across areas including healthcare, agriculture, disability-inclusive livelihoods and youth empowerment.
Chief guest NK Singh, former Rajya Sabha member and former chairman of the 15th Finance Commission, described the finalists as people who had made a difference by transcending barriers and working towards a more wholesome society.
He also called for greater support for innovation and risk-taking among social change-makers.
Dr François Bonnici, director of the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, said the finalists demonstrated how social entrepreneurship could address complex challenges through innovation and systems-level thinking, offering lessons for India and the world.
Aashti Bhartia, director of Jubilant Ingrevia, said the award was ultimately about highlighting what is possible, adding that this year’s finalists had demonstrated that through conviction and resilience.
For YouthNet, the recognition marks more than two decades of work in Nagaland. Founded in 2006, the organisation has developed into a regional incubator supporting entrepreneurs, livelihoods and NGOs across all eight northeastern states through initiatives in environmental education, entrepreneurship incubation, women’s economic empowerment and the Made in Nagaland (MIN) brand.
“This is not one person’s achievement. It belongs to every entrepreneur, artisan and community YouthNet has walked alongside these past years, and to Nagaland itself,” Chase said.
Now in its 17th year, the SEOY India Award recognises leaders addressing societal challenges through innovative and inclusive approaches. The award also provides recipients with greater visibility, mentorship and networks to help scale their social impact.
YouthNet’s selection as a national finalist adds to the organisation’s growing list of national milestones in 2026 and highlights Nagaland’s increasing presence in India’s social innovation landscape.