Skip to content
CYDE — Centre for Youth Development & Engagement
The Learning Network cohort seated and standing together in front of event banners

Rooted in rural Sindh. Led by its young people.

Centre for Youth Development & Engagement is a development organisation committed to youth empowerment, social transformation and sustainable community development.

01Who we are

Every young voice  should count. 

CYDE was founded in 2018 in Lakhi, District Shikarpur, because rural young people were being left out of the decisions shaping their own futures. Today we work across Shikarpur, Sukkur, Ghotki and wider Sindh, including Muhana fishing communities and riverine Katcha settlements.

We are youth- and volunteer-led: our programmes are designed and delivered by young people. We mobilise youth, educate them on climate, peace and civic life, empower communities, and ensure young people have a seat where decisions are made.

Our Vision

“A peaceful, inclusive, equitable, and sustainable society where young people are empowered to lead positive change.”

Our Mission

“To empower young people and communities through meaningful engagement, leadership development, peacebuilding, climate action, gender equality, and innovative community-based initiatives.”

02Our core values
  • Inclusivity
  • Equality
  • Peace
  • Sustainability
  • Youth Leadership
  • Integrity
  • Collaboration
  • Innovation
  • Accountability
  • 01

    Youth-Led

    Every initiative is designed, driven and delivered by young people from Sukkur, Shikarpur and across Sindh.

  • 02

    Inclusive

    We create safe spaces where people of all faiths, genders and backgrounds learn together.

  • 03

    Sustainable

    From climate action to skills, we build capacity that lasts well beyond a single event.

  • 04

    Community-First

    We listen to local needs and respond with practical, grassroots programmes.

03Our approach

Participatory, youth-led, built on partnership

Each project grows out of needs found in the field by the one before it. Charity Scouts led to Khudkafeel and Climate Muhafiz, and our peace and wellbeing work keeps communities strong together.

We work with communities, colleges, networks and institutions to turn what we hear into lasting solutions.

How we work
Participants pose together during the participatory course attended by CYDE's Executive Director
Participatory course attended by Executive Director Ali Aqsam Abbasi
Participants hold certificates at The Learning Network Impact Event
The Learning Network Impact Event: Khudkafeel representation
Four workshop participants stand together at Amn Rang III
Amn Rang III: workshop participants

Organisational Leadership 

  • AAAgha AtharPatron
  • AAAli Aqsam AbbasiExecutive Director / President
  • NANazakat AliVice President
  • MAMubarak AliGeneral Secretary
  • THTahseen HyderFinance Secretary
  • MAMehtab AliJoint Secretary
  • NANadia AliOffice Secretary
05Our journey

  1. 2018

    CYDE founded in Lakhi

    Young people in Lakhi, District Shikarpur start CYDE so rural youth have a say in decisions about their futures.

  2. 2022–23

    Charity Scouts flood response

    Six months of emergency relief for 2,400+ families across northern Sindh.

  3. 2023

    Khudkafeel and Climate Muhafiz begin

    Relief grows into livelihoods and climate action, from Sukkur’s small businesses to Katcha villages.

  4. 2024

    Youth Round Table on Climate Justice

    Held at Sukkur IBA University with Khudkafeel, CDA, NAYA and Climate Muhafiz.

  5. 2025–26

    The Peace Project

    “Local Action, Lasting Peace”: youth-led peacebuilding and interfaith harmony in Upper Sindh.

  6. 2026

    Hamrahi

    Peer wellbeing for rural undergraduates, with Parindey under Guftugu 2.0.