From policy and rural immersion to ethical leadership and global citizenship, these initiatives are shaping India’s future, one young person at a time.
The F.A.I.R. Project
India is home to world’s largest youth populations, with over 600 million people under the age of 35. This demographic holds incredible power to shape the country’s future. And yet, young adults often find themselves caught between conventional educational paths and professional expectations, with limited outlets to grow as individuals or engage meaningfully with community-based challenges.
In recent years, a new wave of short-term youth-focused programmes have emerged with each offering an immersive, interdisciplinary experience that enables young people to explore values, build real-world skills, and contribute meaningfully to society. These opportunities provide immersive experiences that foster ethical leadership, empathy, and a deeper sense of civic responsibility.
Here are four standout programmes that enable young people to engage with social change without having to drastically alter their academic or professional trajectories. Each offers a way to integrate a civic and ethical lens into whatever path they choose, helping them grow as changemakers while they continue to pursue their academic and career goals.
1. The F.A.I.R. Project
Organiser: Eight Goals One Foundation (8one)
Key People: Aditya Awasthi, Aparna Nayyar, Isha Kakkad, Ramit Singh Chimni, and Violeta Bulc.
Supported by UNESCO and Violeta Bulc’s Ecocivilisation Movement, The F.A.I.R. Project is a six-week experiential journey for 32 selected participants aged 18 to 27. It uses the four-step F.A.I.R. Methodology: Fact-find and Familiarise, Advocate for Alternate Viewpoints, Introspect, and Reason and Rationalise; to build critical thinking and values-based decision-making.
What sets this programme apart is its real-world engagement and it is the only programme that does not charge any fees from its participants. In their sixth edition, the focus is on public institutions where participants will observe and analyse their current state of affairs, learn from fellow participants, and co-develop solutions with their peers and partner institutions to solve for potential challenges. These solutions will be documented in a report shared with relevant decision-makers and stakeholders. The experience combines learning, community immersion, and action, giving the youth a platform to express and shape policy conversations.
Eligibility: 18 - 27 years, from any background.
Application: Online form, followed by group discussions and personal interactions.
Structure: 6 weeks, with weekday online sessions and a 2-week offline immersion.
Timeline: Applications open in February; programme runs June - July.
Fees: Fully funded.
2. Policy in Action
Organiser: Young Leaders for Active Citizenship (YLAC)
Key People: Aparajita Bharti, Nipun Malhotra, and Rohit Kumar.
Policy in Action brings young adults face-to-face with India’s legislative and policy ecosystem. Over 4 weeks, participants work in teams to produce research for Members of Parliament, NGOs, or think tanks. Weekend masterclasses provide context, while real-world assignments allow for depth and rigor.
The programme does not just teach how policy works, it invites youth to question it, engage with it, and imagine alternatives. Ideal for those who want to bridge the gap between civic curiosity and meaningful influence.
Eligibility: 20 - 30 years.
Application: Online form with short essays; selections based on clarity and motivation.
Structure: 4-week hybrid/online format with group projects and weekend sessions.
Timeline: Cohorts run in Spring, Summer, and Fall.
Fees: ₹16,000 + GST (Scholarships available).
3. Young Professionals for Change
Organiser: Tribes for Good
Key People: Mandeep Kaur Jhajj
Young Professionals for Change is an 8-week online programme is built for early-career professionals seeking purpose-driven paths. With curated sessions, mentorship, and hands-on project design, it guides participants through launching social impact initiatives and understanding ethical entrepreneurship.
What makes this offering unique is its flexibility. It is designed for working individuals and allows them to explore their role in India’s impact economy without stepping away from their careers.
Eligibility: 22–30 years, with at least one year of experience.
Application: Online form followed by an interview.
Structure: 2 hours/week over 8-weeks, includes mentorship, peer learning, and events.
Timeline: Year-round rolling cohorts.
Fees: ₹22,000 + GST.
4. Earth Shastra and Gramya Manthan
Organiser: Youth Alliance
Key People: Rachit Sharma and Vibhuti Aggarwal.
Earth Shastra and Gramya Manthan are a 9-day residential programme inviting the youth to reconnect with nature, community, and self. Earth Shastra explores ecological wisdom, while Gramya Manthan offers deep rural immersion. Both challenge participants to slow down and reflect on their role in shaping society, often leading to profound mindset shifts.
Participants stay in host villages, engage with locals, and participate in daily reflections and group tasks. The unstructured, reflective approach sets these apart from more formalised training and often leaves a lasting impact.
Eligibility: 18–30 years; inclusive of diverse identities.
Application: Detailed form, followed by a call with organisers.
Structure: 9-day village immersion with reflection and community engagement.
Timeline: Held in April and June.
Fees: ₹30,000 (Partial financial aid available).
These programmes reflect a growing recognition that professional success must go hand in hand with community insight and ethical thinking. Whether it’s policymaking, social enterprise, or village life, each of these opportunities gives young people the tools and the space to pause, reflect, and act.
In a time when traditional pathways often leave little room for soul-searching, these initiatives offer something invaluable: a chance to connect with others beyond one’s usual circles, to think critically about real-world issues, and to contribute to causes larger than oneself.
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