Youth, in the service of Goa
In 2012, a handful of working professionals in Panaji asked a simple question: what if the energy of Goa's youth was pointed squarely at the problems around them? Yuva is the answer they have been building ever since.
“Arise! Awake! and stop not until the goal is reached.— Swami Vivekananda, the words Yuva was founded on
The greatest strength of any nation is its youth
Young people make up nearly a third of India's population — its single largest reserve of energy, creativity, and hope. Yuva was founded on the belief that when that energy is directed into constructive work, whole communities change for the better.
What began as the brainchild of one has been nurtured by many — a growing circle of professionals and volunteers who give their time, skills, and weekends back to society. We work on a People's Organisation – People's Institution (PO-PI) model: building the local institutions that let ordinary people negotiate with the state and the market, and shape their own future.
Yuva was inaugurated on 20th January 2013 with a free medical camp that served more than 280 people — we started the way we intended to continue: in service.
Vision & mission
Our vision
Development is a continuous struggle to build a humane society — one that sustains all people and nature, where women, men, and children enjoy universal human rights. Change is slow and gradual, and it happens only when everyone joins hands to do their part.
Our mission
To empower society and make women and youth self-reliant — not with promises, but with constructive work on the ground, across social service, academics, and sport. We build critical partnerships with government, people's movements, women's groups, institutions, and the private sector.
Local concerns, turned into organised action
From the Mala Lake signature campaign and wall-painting revivals in our early years, to state-wide football, cricket and kabaddi tournaments; from free women's medical camps and breast-cancer screenings to Jyeshtha Nagarik Anandotsav for senior citizens — Yuva's work now touches schools, institutions, women's groups, and elders across both North and South Goa. When crisis struck beyond our state, we answered too, with relief for the Kerala floods and Chennai.
We take part, too
Beyond the work we organise, Yuva takes the stage as a group at cultural events and competitions across Goa.
1st Place — Group Folk Dance (Fugdi)
[DUMMY] Yuva's dance troupe performed a traditional Goan fugdi medley and placed first among 12 participating teams.
Best Costume — Dandiya Night
[DUMMY] Yuva members won the best-costume prize at the community Dandiya celebration.
2nd Place — Street Play Competition
[DUMMY] The street play on drug-abuse awareness won second place at the district-level Yuva Mahotsav.
Participation — Konkani One-Act Drama
[DUMMY] A ten-member Yuva team staged a Konkani one-act play at the state youth theatre festival.
Over a decade of impact
A few of the milestones along the way — most of the work happens quietly, every week.
A promise, registered
A circle of working professionals register Yuva in Panaji under Reg. No. 950/Goa/2012 — determined to turn youthful energy into community change.
Inaugurated in service
Yuva is inaugurated on 20th January with a free medical camp that screens over 280 people. The first free football camp and All-Goa tournament follow within months.
Early recognition
Founder Raghuvir Mahale receives the Goa State Youth Award for outstanding work in youth empowerment.
Honoured for social work
The founder is conferred the Goa State Social Worker Award as Yuva's health and Swachh Bharat cleanliness drives spread across Panaji.
Beyond the capital
Corporate football, sanitary-napkin vending machines in schools, and state-wide tree-plantation drives extend Yuva's reach across Goa.
Answering the pandemic
Yuva runs a community kitchen serving 5,000+ meals to 100+ families, distributes face-shields to healthcare workers, and felicitates COVID warriors.
A new generation leads
A dynamic new council takes charge — steering digital advocacy, senior-citizen programmes, and cultural revival.
Recognised & innovating
Honoured nationally as a Best Youth Organization by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, while launching AI workshops and All-Goa Nasha Mukht Bharat street plays.
Founded by Raghuvir Mahale
Yuva began with Raghuvir Madhusudan Mahale and a small circle of professionals who simply wanted to give something back. His work has been recognised with the Goa State Youth Award (2015) and the Goa State Social Worker Award (2016), presented by the Chief Minister of Goa — but the organisation he started has always belonged to its volunteers, and to the communities it serves.
Same meaningful work — at a bigger scale
After more than a decade, Yuva is scaling what works: wider reach, better execution, deeper impact.
Deeper healthcare
Monthly free medical camps, preventive screening, and mental-health support across urban and rural Goa.
A home for our elders
A dedicated Senior Citizen Day-Care & Activity Centre, and Anandotsav reaching more of Goa's seniors.
Grassroots sports & skills
Village-level training centres, career guidance, and entrepreneurship programmes for young people.
Statewide & sustainable
Green public spaces, cultural festivals, and a lasting presence across both North and South Goa.
Registration & credentials
Be part of the story
Every drive, camp, and tournament runs on people who give their time. Volunteer, partner, or support a cause — and help write Yuva's next chapter.