Goonj Grassroot Fellowship Program (India)

Deadline: 24 June 2024

The Goonj is inviting applicants for its Grassroot Fellowship which is a transformative year-long program that immerses fellows in hands-on community work across diverse regions, both rural and urban.

Goonj Grassroot Fellowship is a year-long programme, where fellows will be working in various areas by engaging with the communities on ground. During the one year, fellows interact with various communities from villages as well as cities and get a deeper understanding of the realities and devise ways to act upon the needs of the communities by engaging the communities.

Throughout this year, fellows engage deeply with various communities, gaining a profound understanding of their challenges and realities. This firsthand experience enables fellows to collaboratively develop and implement sustainable solutions that address the specific needs of these communities. By interacting closely with people from different villages and cities, fellows learn to navigate and bridge cultural and socio-economic differences. This engagement not only broadens their perspectives but also equips them with the skills and knowledge necessary to drive meaningful change. Fellows work alongside community members, fostering a sense of ownership and participation. Through this immersive experience, fellows contribute to Goonj’s mission of creating lasting change and promoting community-driven development.

Aim

Goonj with its Grassroots Fellowship aims to reach out to this resilient force of youth and create a ground for their nurturing and fine tuning. Their goal is to value what they bring to the world – their inherent understanding of the people, their resilience of working in the toughest circumstances, their hunger to make it a better world for their own families and future.

What you will get?

Yes, fellows receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 10,000/- if placed in the native district. A stipend of Rs.12,000/- would be given to those who are placed outside their native district.
Accommodation and food expenses are to be borne by fellows.
Field travel expenses will be reimbursed on an actual basis.

Expectations

They expect a prospective Grassroot Fellow to have passion to work towards changing the ground realities by working and staying in close connection with the affected communities. A Grassroot Fellow should possess the zeal to survive in the toughest of the situation possible and takes it as a learning experience. A minimum of matriculation is required to apply for the Fellowship along with holding an Indian Citizenship.

Where will the fellows be placed?

Goonj has its operations spread in 27 states & UT’s with implementing areas across geographies. Grassroot Fellows will be placed in their own areas if Goonj has its operations there. In case they do not have operations in the state/area from where fellow is selected then fellow will be placed in one of the urban/rural implementation areas where the Goonj has its operations and fellow is comfortable with the language. Depending on the area he/she is placed in, they will be engaged in the respective implementation work. And will be working from the same location throughout the fellowship.

Eligibility Criteria