Who We Are

We are Restless DEVELOPMENT.

The youth-led development agency.

Our staff and volunteers are experts in youth-led development. We are driven forward by young people and young professionals around the world.

We work across 50 countries.

Restless Development works full-time in India, Nepal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. We also have international offices in London, Melbourne, Lusaka and Delhi.

1000 young men and women lead our work.

The direct delivery of our programmes in communities across Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia is lead by young people and young professionals with an average age of 21.

We've got 25 years of experience.

We have extensive experience in highly effective development models led by young people in sexual and reproductive health, livelihoods building and civic participation.

We're leading global development efforts.

Restless Development is now leading efforts efforts with UN agencies, bi-lateral agencies, civil society and governments in Africa and South Asia in how to effectively and meaningfully engage young people in development.

Our 15,000 alumni continue to spread our values.

We have more than 15,000 alumni, former volunteers and staff members, more than 70% of whom continue to pursue careers in development, contributing at local, national and global levels and continuing to incarnate our principles.

Where we started.

Our founder's name is Jim Cogan. He founded Restless Development in 1985 - originally as Student Partnerships Worldwide (SPW) - and we have come a long way since. Unfortunately Jim passed away in 2007, but he left a great legacy that we are continuing here at Restless Development. You can learn more by reading Jim's eulogy written by our Chief Executive, Nik Hartley, here.