Overview

Understanding the aspirations and potential of young people living in one of the world’s most complex humanitarian settings.

This baseline study explored the experiences, aspirations, capacities, and challenges of young people across host communities and Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar by examining social dynamics, community relationships, access to opportunities, and the institutional environment supporting youth engagement to provide a nuanced understanding of the factors that influence their ability to become active contributors to positive social change.

The analysis recognizes that youth are not simply programme beneficiaries but important development actors capable of driving innovation, dialogue, and community resilience when provided with appropriate opportunities and support, generating an evidence base grounded in local realities to inform programme design that reflects the diverse perspectives and aspirations of young people living in a uniquely complex context.

By placing youth agency at the heart of sustainable development and social cohesion, the study contributes to the broader objective of building inclusive communities capable of adapting to future challenges as humanitarian settings increasingly transition toward longer-term development approaches.