YOUTH CHARITABLE OGANISATION (YCO) is a non-profit organization based in Andhra Pradesh, India. YCO works with the local communities on development, thrift and credit management, agro forestry, agriculture, education and housing. YCO was established in 1981 by a group of unemployed, educated young people. It is a secular, non profit, non political rural development agency that focuses on developing the poorer sections of village communities, particularly by actively involving women. It works partnership with international development groups and banks and is actively supported by the Government of India and the state Government of Andhra Pradesh.

In 1981 YCO was working in 4 villages and 1985 it had expanded its services to 15 more villages. YCO is now working in 185 villages in 6 Revenue Mandals of the Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh.

YCO’s development work concentrates on women and children, covering 10,000 target groups’ families in its project area. The huge expansion into 185 villages came about because villages that were already involved with YCO identified new villages to share their experiences with. In this way they were able to pass on information and ideas to other communities in similar circumstances.

YCO is governed by a Board of executives consisting of 15 members including president, vice president and executive secretary. The office bearers and Board of Executives area drawn from different walks of life and variety and disciplines, and have a common commitment to rural development.  80 regular staff and 90 animators / volunteers are working for different development programmes in the target villages.