YESS Meghalaya Scheme

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

The YESS Meghalaya Scheme stands for Youth Engagement through Empowered Youth Organisations. It is run by the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of Meghalaya. The scheme offers financial support to registered youth organisations and eligible individuals across the state. Nearly 74% of Meghalaya's population is under the age of 35. YESS Meghalaya aims to channel this large youth base into productive, grassroots-level community work.

The scheme empowers registered youth clubs, societies, trusts, and not-for-profit organisations. It helps them plan and implement activities that matter to local development. These include environmental conservation, financial literacy, career counselling, and mental wellbeing programmes. The scheme also supports individuals selected to represent Meghalaya in regional, national, or international competitions. Such individuals can apply for financial assistance independently.

Eligible youth organisations and individuals can receive financial assistance of up to Rs. 1 lakh per financial year. Up to 10% of applications may get higher funding as exceptional projects. The grant is released in two tranches. The second tranche is credited only after the District Sports Officer verifies utilisation of the first. Individuals participating in competitions can also claim travel support, stay, and other related expenses. Applicants can avail up to two grants in the same financial year, once the first project is completed and closed.

YESS Meghalaya has already benefited over 1,300 youth organisations. These organisations have together received grants worth more than Rs. 4.3 crore. The state has over 3,000 registered youth clubs and organisations in total. Applications are submitted online through the official YESS Meghalaya portal and are evaluated by the Screening Committee. Approved applications are sanctioned, and grants are released in batches. A Screening Committee approves all applications. A High Power Committee, headed by the Chief Minister, oversees the overall direction of the programme.

The scheme was recently revised to widen its reach and benefits. The updated guidelines introduced the "MY Hero Campaign." Under this campaign, the government recognises outstanding individuals as "Meghalaya Youth Heroes." These individuals are felicitated through public nomination, voting, and cash awards. The revision also extended direct grant support to individuals for the first time. These updates reflect the government's push to make YESS Meghalaya a true mass movement of youth participation.

Scheme Benefits

• Provides financial assistance of up to ₹1 lakh per financial year for approved programmes and activities.
• Grant released in two tranches; the second is paid only after utilisation of the first is verified.
• Up to two grants allowed per financial year, after successful closure of the first project.
• Allows up to 10% of approved applications to receive higher financial assistance for exceptional projects.
• Supports registered youth organisations in planning and implementing youth development programmes.
• Provides financial support to eligible individuals selected to participate in regional, national, or international competitions and events.
• Covers activities related to youth engagement, environmental protection, career guidance, financial literacy, mental wellbeing, sports, and community development.
• Cash awards and recognition for outstanding individuals under the "MY Hero Campaign."

Permissible Activities under the Scheme

The YESS Meghalaya Scheme provides financial assistance for various youth development activities and programmes undertaken by eligible organisations. Individual applicants can also receive support for participating in eligible competitions and events.

• Environmental protection and conservation programmes and workshops.
• Financial literacy workshops and awareness campaigns.
• Workshops and seminars on substance abuse prevention and teenage pregnancy awareness.
• Career counselling and guidance workshops.
• Mass youth engagement programmes and activities.
• Mental wellbeing seminars and awareness campaigns.
• Mass youth volunteering programmes.
• Organisation of youth parliaments and debates.
• Procurement of materials and equipment required for approved activities.
• Setting up office space, including furniture, fittings, and equipment.
• Participation in tournaments, competitions, and other events.
• Procurement of sports equipment and sports consumables.

Support for Individual Applicants

• Travel expenses for participation in regional, national, or international competitions and events.
• Accommodation expenses, where not provided by the event organisers.
• Miscellaneous expenses related to participation in the approved competition or event.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must satisfy the eligibility conditions prescribed under the YESS Meghalaya Scheme Guidelines before applying for financial assistance. The scheme has separate eligibility criteria for youth organisations and individual applicants to ensure that grants are provided only to eligible entities and deserving youth from Meghalaya.

For Youth Organisations

• The organisation must be registered as a Society, Trust, Charitable Organisation, Section 8 Company, or other Not-for-Profit entity under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 for at least 3 months.
• The organisation must maintain a transparent and effective financial accounting system.
• Its primary beneficiaries should be below 35 years of age, and the organisation should be open to all citizens of Meghalaya without discrimination based on religion, race, caste, or language.
• At least 50% of the registered members should be below 35 years of age on the date of application.
• The organisation must not have been blacklisted by any government or private institution and should not have any pending litigation related to misconduct, misappropriation of funds, sexual harassment, or similar matters.

For Individual Applicants

• The applicant must be a citizen of Meghalaya.
• The applicant must be below 35 years of age on the date of application.
• The applicant must have a bank account in their own name (single or joint account).
• The applicant must provide proof of selection for the regional, national, or international competition or event for which financial assistance is sought.

Required Documents

Applicants must submit the documents as per their category shared below:

For Youth Organisations

• Registration Certificate of the organisation.
• Brief document of the proposed youth engagement programme or activity.
• Detailed cost breakup of the proposed programme or activity.
• Bank account details of the organisation.
• Declaration regarding non-blacklisting and no pending litigation.

For Individual Applicants

• EPIC Card or Aadhaar Card.
• Brief document of the competition or event.
• Detailed cost breakup of the proposed activity.
• Proof of selection for the competition or event.
• Bank account details.

Steps to Apply

Applicants can apply for the YESS Meghalaya Scheme only online, through the official YESS Meghalaya portal. There is no offline mode of application under the revised guidelines.

1. Visit the official YESS Meghalaya portal at yessmeghalaya.in/.
2. Sign in to the official YESS Meghalaya portal and access the online application form.
3. Select the applicant type, Youth Organisation or Individual.
4. Fill in the application form with the required details (entity/individual information, bank account details, and proposed activity or event).
5. Upload the required documents, including the registration certificate (for organisations), programme/proof-of-selection document, cost breakup, and signed declaration.
6. Review the filled application and submit it through the portal.
7. On approval, the first tranche of the grant is credited directly to the applicant's bank account.
8. Submit progress reports and the utilisation certificate for the first tranche to the District Sports Officer (DSO).
9. After the DSO verifies utilisation of the first tranche, the second tranche is released.
10. On project completion, submit the project closure report and utilisation certificate to the DSO for final verification.

Once the first project is completed and verified, the organisation or individual becomes eligible to apply for a second grant in the same financial year.

Important Terms and Conditions

• Eligible organisations and individuals may apply for up to two grants in a financial year.
• A second grant can be considered only after successful completion and verification of the first project.
• The Department of Sports and Youth Affairs reserves the right to accept, approve, reject, or withdraw any application or sanction at any stage.
• The sanctioned grant must be utilised only for the purpose for which it has been approved, and the applicant must exercise reasonable economy while implementing the programme.
• The applicant should maintain the prescribed bank account. In the case of organisations, the account must be jointly operated by two office bearers.
• The organisation or individual must submit progress reports and any other relevant information to the District Sports Officer (DSO) whenever required.
• The Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs may conduct field inspections, and the accounts are open to audit checks by department-appointed officers at any time.
• Any unspent balance of the grant must be credited back to the department's bank account as per the instructions in the sanction letter.
• The sanctioned grant cannot be transferred to another organisation or individual without prior permission from the sanctioning authority.
• Organisations must stay actively involved in the district-wise WhatsApp groups created by the Directorate, publicise approved activities through social media using official branding, tag the department's media handle in posts, and participate in government programmes whenever required.

Relevant Links

• YESS Meghalaya Scheme Portal.
• YESS Meghalaya Scheme Online Application
• YESS Meghalaya Scheme Guidelines.

Contact Information

• YESS Meghalaya Scheme Helpline Number: 8732006238
• YESS Meghalaya Scheme Email Helpdesk: [email protected]