I’m Rishav Das, a youth leader and community builder driven by the principles of liberty, leadership, and sustainability. My leadership journey officially began in 2017 with the launch of Project Smile, a grassroots initiative aimed at fostering community well-being and civic engagement in Nepal.
In 2023, I founded Youth Activism Nepal (YAN) to empower the next generation of changemakers through public policy, leadership training, and environmental advocacy. As Founder and President of YAN, I’ve led national campaigns and mentored dozens of young leaders through projects that emphasize civic participation, environmental sustainability, and individual rights.
I currently serve as the Regional Coordinator for Leadership Development in South Asia at Students For Liberty, where I design and deliver leadership development programs across the region. In this role, I have helped shape a strong network of principled youth leaders advancing the ideas of liberty and responsibility.
My commitment to global impact has been recognized through my selection as a Prometheus Fellow, a prestigious program recognizing the world’s top fifty emerging leaders, and as a Global Changemakers Fellow, where I’ve collaborated with international peers to develop solutions to pressing global challenges.
I have also worked closely with UNICEF, UNDP, and the US Embassy Youth Council, and led climate-centered initiatives such as Project Repurpose, an award-winning environmental campaign focused on creative waste reuse and sustainability.
Through my work, I aim to bridge ideas with action promoting freedom, sustainability, and dignity through leadership, education, and policy reform. My long-term vision is to build a more empowered, freer, and environmentally responsible society one initiative at a time.
