Participating organisations included Mercy Mission, Terrum, Jhatkaa, Quest Alliance, Bannada Dara, Avarna, The Maitri Arha Foundation, Defy Project, Selco Foundation, Momentum Shifts, and Dream A Dream.
| Photo Credit: Special arrangement
Bangalore Creative Circus witnessed a day of collaboration, play and civic innovation as SolveCon 2025, hosted by Reap Benefit — a social enterprise that works with youngsters — brought together over 300 spirited youth. The sixth edition of SolveCon saw youngsters participating in multiple activities from hands-on games to reflection and problem-solving.
A mela of action
The ‘phone-free’ day kicked off with a high-energy ‘mela’ featuring 14 impactful organisations presenting playful, hands-on experiences on climate action, civic participation, social justice, and local governance. Youth engaged in interactive games, simulations, and storytelling that sparked awareness and empathy. Participating organisations included Mercy Mission, Terrum, Jhatkaa, Quest Alliance, Bannada Dara, Avarna, The Maitri Arha Foundation, Defy Project, Selco Foundation, Momentum Shifts, and Dream A Dream.
At the heart of SolveCon were the voices of Kuppendra S, Aakash Kudla, Aishwarya Selvam, and Shiva Kumar, who turned local challenges into bold action.
Kuppendra.S from Raichur tackles plastic waste, advocates for migrant workers, and engages directly with policymakers.
Aakash Kudla from Mangalore, founder of Avarana, upcycles glass waste into home décor. His work has reached more than 50 homes saving over 860 kg of waste.
Aishwarya Selvam from Bengaluru led a massive cleanup drive, uniting students, citizens, and BBMP workers to reclaim public spaces.
Shiva Kumar from Bengaluru works towards empowering the LGBTQ+ community through legal aid and inclusive entrepreneurship.
Interactive solver jams
SolveCon’s ‘Solver Jams,’ led by expert facilitators, offered hands-on learning covering topics such as eco-anxiety, historical simulations, data-driven change, systems thinking, and grassroots marketing. These labs, facilitated by Namya Sinha, Abhijit Giridhar, Arpit Arora, Apoorv Anand, Gauthamraj Elango, Subhani Nadaf and Praveen Kasmas, blended play, empathy, and real-world problem solving to help the participants think critically and act locally.
Since its inception in 2024, SolveCon has engaged over 800 youth across cities like Jalandhar, Mysore, Nanded, Ludhiana, and Bengaluru
| Photo Credit:
Special arrangement
“SolveCon is a glimpse into the future we’re building with young people at the centre,” said Kuldeep Dantewadia, Founder of Reap Benefit. “Our mission through SolveCon is not to teach agency but to unlock it,” he added.
Since its inception in 2024, SolveCon has engaged over 800 youth across cities like Jalandhar, Mysore, Nanded, Ludhiana, and Bengaluru.
Published – April 18, 2025 07:24 am IST
