Local Action. Global Change. Youth Leading the Way.
TYCL International creates safe, inclusive, and participative spaces where young people improve mental health, strengthen community wellbeing, and design real solutions for the issues they face.
Who We Are
TYCL International is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit built on the belief that young people already know what their communities need.
We work directly with youth and their allies to co-create programs, policies, and public interest technology that protect rights, improve mental health, and strengthen community resilience.
Our Mission
TYCL International creates safe, inclusive, and participative spaces for and with young people and their allies to realize their full potential through innovative leadership models.
Our Vision
All young people enjoy their rights and are empowered to act locally with creative skills, leadership, and indigenous knowledge to find sustainable solutions for issues affecting the people and planet in their own communities.
Our Journey: From One
Community to a Global Platform
TYCL is founded in Puducherry, India, focusing on child protection, youth leadership, and community wellbeing.
2011
2012 - 16
Youth clubs, school sessions, creative arts for healing, and community programs expand to reach thousands of young people.
Young leaders launch the Three Zeros priority: zero youth suicide, zero violence against children, and zero environmental harm.
2018
2019
New collaborations deepen TYCL’s work in digital safety, data governance, and youth-centered policy.
Creative Arts for Positive Mental Health expands in the United States through virtual and hybrid programs.
2020 - 21
The Story Behind TYCL
TYCL began with one young person who understood what it meant to be excluded from opportunity.
Dr. Siva Mathiyazhagan grew up in Puducherry, India, where access to education and resources was shaped by structural inequality. As a youth leader, he saw how often young people were expected to follow rather than lead, and how rarely resources reached those closest to community challenges.
From studying under streetlights to forming village youth clubs, Siva witnessed how trust, even in small amounts, could unlock powerful local leadership.This experience shaped TYCL’s core belief: youth-led innovation does not require large institutions or top-down solutions. It requires trust, flexible resources, and respect for lived experience.
In 2018, TYCL International was established to extend this approach globally and support youth innovators through small grants and accompaniment, while connecting local solutions to broader learning and advocacy spaces.
Board of Trustees
TYCL’s Board provides strategic guidance, governance, and accountability. They ensure our work remains youth-centered, transparent, and grounded in global collaboration.
Dr. Siva Mathiyazhagan is a Research Assistant Professor at the School of Social Policy & Practice and Co-Director of SAFELab at the University of Pennsylvania.
He is a Senior Fellow at the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics at the University of Pennsylvania and a Pradeep Mehendiratta Fellow (2025-26) at the American Institute of Indian Studies. Dr. Mathiyazhagan is a global tech social work researcher and community practitioner.
Sarah is independent global consultant for arts and museum projects and active poet and writer. She has completed her MA in Arts Admin from Administration at Teachers College, Columbia University.
She is passionate about cross-cultural dialogue and cultural exchange for building mutual, reciprocal, and peaceful international relationships.
Ready to stand with youth leaders?
Whether you bring lived experience, professional expertise, or financial resources, there is a place for you in this community. Join our board, make a gift, or volunteer your time to help young people build the futures they deserve.
