DIMAPUR: YouthNet, Nagaland’s first and largest youth development and social enterprise, has been named one of five national finalists for the 17th Social Entrepreneur of the Year (SEOY) India 2026 Award, placing Nagaland alongside some of the country’s most influential change makers.
The award, jointly presented by the Jubilant Bhartia Foundation (JBF) and the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, a sister organisation of the World Economic Forum, was announced at a ceremony in New Delhi. Nuneseno Chase, director and chief functionary of YouthNet, represented the organisation among the five finalists recognised for driving youth led development through education, livelihoods, entrepreneurship and environmental sustainability initiatives across Nagaland and the northeast.
This year’s SEOY award went to Nidhi Pant, Co Founder of S4S Technologies, honoured for biotechnology solutions that turn agricultural waste into eco friendly products for smallholder women farmers. The other finalists, including Chase, were selected from a national pool for work spanning healthcare, agriculture, disability inclusive livelihoods and youth empowerment.
Addressing the gathering, N.K. Singh, former Rajya Sabha member and chairman of the 15th Finance Commission, described the finalists as “people who have made a difference in their lives, transcending barriers to build a more wholesome society,” and called for greater support for innovation and risk taking among change makers.
Dr François Bonnici, director of the Schwab Foundation, said the finalists demonstrated how social entrepreneurship can tackle complex challenges through innovation and systems level thinking. Aashti Bhartia, director of Jubilant Ingrevia, added that the award is about spotlighting what is possible, noting that this year’s finalists had shown conviction and resilience.
For YouthNet, the recognition affirms over 20 years of work in Nagaland. Since its founding in 2006, the organisation has grown into the region’s leading incubator, supporting entrepreneurs, livelihoods and NGOs across all eight northeastern states through programmes in environmental education, entrepreneurship incubation, women’s economic empowerment and the Made in Nagaland (MIN) brand.
Speaking on the recognition, Nuneseno Chase said, “This is not one person’s achievement. It belongs to every entrepreneur, artisan and community YouthNet has walked alongside these past years, and to Nagaland itself.”
The SEOY India award, now in its 17th year, recognises visionary leaders addressing societal challenges through innovative and inclusive approaches, offering awardees visibility, mentorship and networks to help scale their impact further.
YouthNet’s finalist recognition adds to a growing list of national milestones for the organisation in 2026, reinforcing Nagaland’s emergence as a serious contributor to India’s social innovation landscape.
