𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐭𝐬𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐨 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐎𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬

…𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒕𝒆 𝒃𝒚 2026, 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒐𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓 𝒆𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒂 𝒇𝒐𝒄𝒖𝒔 𝒐𝒏 𝒓𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒍 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒍𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏

By Tashi Tshewang

In a significant step toward strengthening youth engagement in southern Bhutan, a new youth center is set to be established in Samtse, with construction expected to be completed in the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The center, spanning an area of 75 decimals, will provide essential recreational, educational, and developmental opportunities to support the growing youth population in the Dzongkhag.

As Samtse continues to evolve into one of Bhutan’s key industrial zones, the youth center is envisioned as a vital space to nurture the next generation of citizens. The facility will include a library, internet café, reprographic services, outdoor sports infrastructure, a multipurpose hall, cafeteria, and dedicated recreational areas offering a safe, inclusive environment for young people to connect, learn, and grow.

On April 19, the Education Minister, joined by the Director of the Department of Education Programs and senior officials, visited the designated site during her tour of the Dzongkhag, signaling strong institutional support for the initiative.

Since the launch of Bhutan’s youth center program in 2000, the network has expanded to 13 centers nationwide. These centers play a pivotal role in promoting youth empowerment by providing access to transferable 21st-century skills such as digital literacy, coding, arts, entrepreneurship, and mental health awareness.

The upcoming center in Samtse is expected to build on this foundation, offering local youth the tools, resources, and opportunities to lead purposeful and productive lives.

Tshering Yangden, Gewog Administrative Officer, Denchukha said, “The youth center in Samtse Thromde has great potential to indirectly benefit the youth in neighboring Gewogs like ours, even if our rural youth cannot visit frequently, the center can serve as a hub of inspiration providing mentorship, access to networks, and valuable resources through outreach programs, mobile units, and digital platforms.”

With a growing need to empower rural youth, local leaders are envisioning ways to bring the center’s benefits closer to their communities through collaboration and localized efforts.

She added, “In our Gewog, I would love to see a multipurpose youth space equipped with a library, internet access, a vocational training room, and recreational facilities, Programs on digital literacy, entrepreneurship, leadership, and even arts like music and filmmaking would be invaluable. We can also collaborate with the center for youth camps, training sessions, and cultural festivals engaging local teachers and leaders as facilitators to ensure no young person is left behind.”

Sunil, a resident of Thangchhenang under Pemaling Gewog said, “The youth center will definitely benefit the youth in our community. It will offer them a space to learn new things, engage in positive activities, and grow in the right direction. But honestly, one of the biggest challenges we still face here in Thangchhenang is the poor network connectivity. Even making a normal voice call is a struggle. When someone is seriously ill or there’s an emergency, we can’t even reach our neighbors or health services because the call won’t go through. It’s frustrating and, at times, frightening.”

Poor network infrastructure continues to be one of the most pressing issues for remote communities like Thangchhenang under Pemaling Gewog. While initiatives like the youth center aim to bridge the urban- rural divide in education, recreation, and personal development, limited digital access continues to hold rural youth back from unlocking their full potential. Without reliable connectivity, students miss out on online classes, digital resources, and skill-building platforms that are readily available to their peers in urban areas. The lack of access not only affects their academic and career readiness but also limits their exposure to the outside world, keeping them isolated from opportunities in this fast-changing, tech-driven society.

He added, “If network facilities are improved alongside the youth center, it would create a powerful combination. Our children could access educational content, attend virtual training, and even build digital skills like coding or graphic design. They would have a space to express themselves, stay informed, and think beyond what’s immediately around them. The center can be that stepping stone but only if digital access is part of the plan. That’s what we really need for the future of our youth.”

Yam Bdr Ghalley, Tading Gup said, “Samtse Dzongkhag is one of the populated regions in the country, and we truly need such a facility for our youth. This youth center will guide our future generations toward positive paths. With so many developmental activities happening in the Dzongkhag, more young people will be drawn here. It’s the right time to invest in such a center.”

The Gup believes that distance will not prevent his youth from benefiting. The upcoming youth center is expected to serve as a catalyst for empowerment, growth, and transformation. It will provide a safe and inclusive space for young minds to explore their potential, access educational and digital tools, and connect with peers from other Gewogs. The presence of the Dzong and the youth center in close proximity will serve as a double engine of development one for governance, and one for youth development. The Gup emphasizes that well-equipped, informed, and empowered youth are critical for building a harmonious and resilient society. With the right exposure, they will be capable of addressing 21st-century challenges confidently, which he believes is currently lacking in many rural communities.
He added, “Youth play a crucial role in creating peace and harmony in society. If they are equipped with external knowledge, life skills, and the confidence to face challenges, then our whole community can shine. We are behind today because we have lacked such opportunities. But with this youth center, and if proper advocacy and awareness programs are carried out, I truly believe more of our youth will come forward, participate, and make real change. We just need well-organized initiatives and inclusive programming to make it happen.”

Dewash Gurung, Thongchhennang Tshogpa said, “The youth center will definitely benefit our youth, especially those in rural areas. It can offer them access to skills that are usually available only in urban settings, like gaming, computer literacy, language learning, and even practical skills such as tailoring or beauty services.”

He believes that while distance remains a challenge for many youths living far from Samtse town, the youth center’s impact can still be far-reaching. He emphasizes that outreach programs, if designed well we can successfully connect even the most remote communities to essential training and resources. Through mobile services, digital learning, and local partnerships, the center can serve as a catalyst for learning and innovation among rural youth. For many, this could be the first opportunity to gain exposure to new ideas, develop useful skills, and access career pathways that previously felt out of reach.

He added, “It’s a real opportunity for rural youth to learn new ideas and grow beyond their current environment. If we bring the programs closer to the communities, through outreach, mobile units, or tech platforms, then even those who can’t travel often will still benefit. This center isn’t just about the building in town, it’s about creating a network of support that includes everyone.”

Ambar Gurung, a resident of Samtse, “We have many youths in our village who remain unemployed and end up staying home to help their parents. While it’s admirable that they support their families, what worries me is that the knowledge and education they have acquired might go to waste if they have no platform to apply or grow their skills.”
He expressed concern about the untapped potential of rural youth. He emphasized that the lack of opportunities often pushes educated young people back into traditional roles, limiting their personal and professional development. The upcoming youth center, he believes, represents a glimmer of hope, not just as a facility, but as a long-awaited opportunity to channel youth energy into productive and meaningful engagement.

He added, “When I heard that a youth center would be constructed, it gave me real hope. Such a center could become a source of employment, skill-building, and income generation for many. Our youth deserve access to opportunities that allow them to dream bigger and do more than just stay behind in the village.”

Lal Bdr Ghalley, a 19-year-old youth from Samtse shared, “Living in a remote village, we don’t have access to many learning platforms or even proper internet, Sometimes I feel like I am missing out an opportunity that others in towns easily get like learning new skills, applying for jobs, or even just connecting with people who can inspire us.”

Limited access to educational and digital resources continues to hold many rural youths back, despite their motivation and potential.

He concluded, “If the youth center can organize outreach programs or mobile training camps, it would mean a lot. We don’t need everything in one place, just a chance to grow, learn, and be included.”