About Us
Centre for Nurturing Leaders is a not-for-profit organization registered as Enabling Pillars Foundation under Section 8 company (Companies Act 2013; formerly Section 25) with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India.
Our focus is on developing youth leadership among marginalized communities displaced by systemic inequality and excluded from their social and economic rights. We are founded by grassroots community members who have experienced displacement and marginalization, giving us genuine understanding of the young people we serve.
Leaders at the grassroots level are where real change starts, and investing in youth leadership is investing in sustainable transformation. But developing effective young leaders requires more than good intentions—it demands critical thinking skills and experiential education that connects learning to lived realities. Real transformation requires leaders who understand systems from within—people who have navigated their complexities.
We collaborate with civil society organizations, government bodies, policymakers, and subject matter experts to design youth leadership modules adapted to each community's specific needs. Our approach empowers young people from marginalized communities to become the change agents their communities urgently need.
Cultivation of mind should be the ultimate aim of human existence.
- Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedakar.
Enabling young leaders to champion justice for marginalized communities through knowledge and action.
A nonprofit platform that educates and trains youth in marginalised communities to become leaders by engaging with local realities.
Leadership
At the Healm
Sonu P. Yadav (He/Him)
Co-Founder & CEOSonu P. Yadav has over 12 years of experience working across India to nurture youth leadership, especially among marginalized communities. He has mentored and trained young people from homeless backgrounds, rural villages, forest areas, and coastal regions, helping them gain voice, skills, and opportunities. Alongside direct youth engagement, Sonu has managed nonprofits, built strategies, raised resources, and collaborated with government programs to strengthen education and leadership initiatives. His work spans homelessness, the Right to Education, the Right to Forest, and the challenges of representation.
Seeing that youth at the grassroots are often excluded from decision-making, Sonu co-founded Centre for Nurturing Leaders to provide platforms for equal participation. Under his leadership, the Foundation equips young people to lead initiatives that build confident individuals and stronger communities.
DinDayal Bharti (He/Him)
Coordinator- Youth CollectivesDindayal is the Coordinator of the Youth Leadership Initiative, where he focuses on building strong connections with young people in the community. In his role, he organizes training sessions and workshops to help youth understand their rights, develop leadership skills, and become active participants in local governance. Dindayal works closely with young people to encourage them to form groups and support each other in their personal growth and community involvement. He is committed to creating a space where youth feel confident, informed, and inspired to bring positive change to their communities. As a new leader, Dindayal is dedicated to learning and growing alongside the youth he serves.
Ajay Kumar (He/Him)
Manager- M&EAjay comes from the same community that Centre for Nurturing Leaders works with, so he understands its needs and strengths very well. He is deeply committed to quality and makes sure our programs are run in the best way possible. Ajay also uses technology to improve everything we do—from teaching lessons to checking the results of our work.