by Ro Maung Shwe
In the refugee camps of Cox’s Bazar, a group of determined young people came together to establish the Youth Led Initiative (YLI)—a youth-driven, non-profit, and independent organization. Born out of the struggles of displacement and the dreams of change, YLI is committed to empowering marginalized communities, especially refugee and underrepresented youth. Through advocacy, education, capacity building, and social innovation, these young leaders are striving to create a peaceful and inclusive society where every youth has the opportunity to become an agent of positive transformation.
At its heart, YLI is guided by a clear mission: to empower, mobilize, and uplift marginalized youth through education, advocacy, and leadership development so that they can contribute to building a just, inclusive, and sustainable society. The founders believe that real change begins at the grassroots level but must resonate globally. For them, education is more than learning—it is a tool for justice, equality, and hope.
The organization was carefully structured to ensure youth leadership remains at its core. At the top is an Executive Council, made up of appointed young leaders who are responsible for governance, oversight, and operational strategy. All members of this Council are between 16 and 30 years old, active youth advocates who are deeply committed to the values of YLI. Members are nominated by the founder and approved by the current Council, serving renewable one-year terms to maintain both continuity and accountability. The Council guides strategic decisions and oversees the implementation of programs, ensuring that YLI stays true to its mission.
Supporting this leadership is an Advisory Council, composed of experts and mentors from relevant fields who provide strategic advice, mentorship, and policy guidance. Advisors are also appointed annually and serve as a bridge between the young leaders and the broader world of development and humanitarian action. Alongside them, the General Assembly brings together youth members from diverse and marginalized communities, including the Rohingya and beyond. These members join through an annual open application process and contribute actively to YLI’s forums, programs, and regional chapters.
YLI also builds its strength through its regional and camp-based chapters. Each chapter is led by a coordinator selected from the general membership and approved by the Executive Council. These local chapters are tasked with implementing projects on the ground and reporting back quarterly, ensuring that YLI’s work is deeply rooted in the communities it serves.
The leadership body of YLI reflects the dedication and diverse experiences of Rohingya youth themselves. Maung Solaiman Shah, the Founder, Chairperson, and Executive Coordinator, provides the organizational vision and long-term direction. A passionate changemaker and peace advocate, Solaiman is a champion of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and an active promoter of the 2030 Agenda for peace and justice. From the world’s largest refugee camp, he has brought global recognition to YLI, serving as a second cohort participant of the UNODA Youth Leader Without Fund for a World Without Nuclear Weapons, and even being nominated for Kindness & Leadership: 50 Leading Lights Asia Pacific.
Alongside him is Ro Mohammed Omar, widely known as Ro Omar, who serves as Co-founder and Vice Chairperson. A Rohingya teacher and humanitarian, he has dedicated his life to education and community empowerment. As a language instructor and humanitarian interpreter in the health and protection sectors, Ro Omar advocates passionately for women’s rights, youth leadership, and the prevention of gender-based violence. Recognized as a UNHCR Role Model, he has represented his community in both local and international platforms, striving to inspire dignity, equality, and change.
The organization also benefits from the wisdom of Mohammad Ullah, who serves as Chief Advisor and guides policy, program direction, and institutional development, while mentoring the younger leadership. Mohammad Junaid, as Executive Director, is responsible for the daily operations of YLI. Born in TaungPyo, Myanmar, and now living in Cox’s Bazar, Junaid is a dedicated youth leader who champions education, women’s rights, and youth empowerment. With experience working with organizations such as UNHCR, BRAC, RTM International, CPP, and ACTED under the Community-Based Protection initiative, he brings extensive knowledge to the role. Trained by BDRCS, IFRC, and others, Junaid continues to serve his community through advocacy, education, and humanitarian work, inspiring displaced youth to believe in resilience and hope.
Other key figures include Mohammad Anas Malik, Associate Director, Advisor, and Presenter, who assists in strategic and public-facing roles and represents YLI in forums. Mohammad Anas, as Director of Programs and Resources Manager, ensures that programs are well planned, implemented effectively, and monitored for impact, while also managing resources and reporting transparently. Mohammad Foyaz, as Outreach and Community Engagement Officer, leads engagement campaigns and builds partnerships within the community to strengthen YLI’s grassroots network.
Transparency and accountability are central to YLI’s functioning. All funds are used solely for fulfilling its mission and objectives, with expenditure aligned to approved annual plans and donor agreements. Donations, sponsorships, and grants from individuals or institutions are documented with transparency, while the Finance and Logistics Officer maintains records, ensures donor compliance, and submits regular reports to the Council. Annual audits are conducted and shared with stakeholders to maintain trust. Every project is supervised by the Director of Programs, designed with clear objectives, timelines, budgets, and sustainability measures. Monthly progress reports are submitted to the Executive Director, ensuring a cycle of planning, execution, and reflection.
Currently, YLI is implementing a Youth Empowerment Project that focuses on building the capacity, confidence, and leadership skills of young people in the camps. The project provides knowledge, practical skills, and motivation to displaced youth so that they can play a constructive role in social development and the well-being of their communities. Already, this initiative has touched the lives of over 1,000 individuals through workshops, trainings, and outreach sessions.
Funding for these activities comes primarily from the contributions of YLI’s Board members, who strongly believe in youth-led development. Activities are carefully organized depending on the nature of each project. For trainings, qualified trainers are hired, venues secured, and necessary materials arranged. Each project has a dedicated manager overseeing its planning and execution, ensuring effectiveness and responsibility at every stage.
The impact of YLI’s work is visible and inspiring. By empowering young people, the organization has planted seeds of hope and transformation within one of the most vulnerable communities in the world. The refugee youth involved in YLI are not only shaping their own futures but also offering leadership and solutions to their community’s challenges.
Yet, despite this progress, YLI faces serious challenges in sustaining its activities. The organization relies heavily on limited internal contributions and lacks steady funding sources. For this reason, YLI makes an urgent appeal to the international community, humanitarian donors, and development partners to support its mission. With greater financial support, YLI can expand its reach, strengthen its programs, and ensure that its education, leadership, and protection projects continue to thrive.
The story of YLI is ultimately the story of refugee youth refusing to be defined by displacement. It is the story of resilience, leadership, and the belief that young people, even in the harshest conditions, can rise as agents of change. With the right support, YLI and its members are determined to build a more hopeful, inclusive, and empowered future for thousands of young people who deserve nothing less than the chance to thrive.
