ISLAMABAD – Pur Azm Pakistan–Generation Unlimited Policy Research Challenge (PRC) 2026 concluded its four-day bootcamp in Islamabad, equipping young researchers from across Pakistan with the skills to develop evidence-based policy solutions aimed at strengthening the country’s disaster risk reduction (DRR) efforts.
The initiative, implemented by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the School of Leadership Foundation (SoLF) under Pur Azm Pakistan–Generation Unlimited, is supported by the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP), UNICEF Pakistan, UNDP Pakistan, and UNFPA Pakistan.
A total of 33 participants, including 16 adolescents and 17 youth researchers, underwent intensive training through expert-led sessions, mentorship, and collaborative learning designed to enhance their research and policymaking capabilities.
Addressing the participants, Dr. Muhammad Ali Malik, Joint Secretary of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, highlighted the critical role young people can play in shaping public policy, particularly for underserved and marginalized communities. He said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to empowering youth and encouraged participants to engage actively in national development programmes.
During the bootcamp, participants explored key aspects of Pakistan’s disaster risk reduction framework, including anticipatory action, resilient communities and infrastructure, evidence-based policymaking, disaster preparedness, and policy research methodologies. They also received hands-on guidance in developing research questions, collecting and analyzing evidence, understanding the policy cycle, and presenting practical policy recommendations.
Zahra Jabeen, Programme Analyst for Adolescents and Youth at UNFPA Pakistan, emphasized that meaningful youth participation is essential for developing inclusive policies capable of addressing the evolving needs of future generations.
Meanwhile, Waseem Ahmad, Manager Training at NDMA, stressed that strengthening Pakistan’s disaster resilience depends on anticipatory planning, evidence-based decision-making, and greater involvement of young people in national disaster risk reduction initiatives.
The programme concluded with participants presenting their research proposals before an expert evaluation panel. Following a competitive review, five projects from the Adolescent category and ten projects from the Youth category were selected to receive grants and continued mentorship to further refine and implement research-backed policy solutions for disaster resilience.
Organizers said the Policy Research Challenge 2026 reflects the shared commitment of Pur Azm Pakistan and its partners to equipping young Pakistanis with research, leadership, and advocacy skills needed to contribute meaningfully to national development and climate resilience.
