Praja’s National Urban Youth Fellowship Programme 2025

Praja Foundation is a non-partisan organization committed to fostering accountable governance since its establishment in 1997. Through extensive data-driven research, Praja empowers citizens with knowledge and perspective, encouraging them to actively participate in governance beyond just voting. The organization works towards enhancing transparency and efficiency in urban governance by equipping citizens with relevant information and engaging them in discussions on civic issues.

Praja has been instrumental in enabling citizens to hold elected representatives accountable by providing them with structured data and reports on municipal administration, public health, education, and law enforcement. Over the past 26 years, the organization has consistently worked towards improving civic engagement through advocacy, research, and training programs. By conducting workshops, publishing white papers, and collaborating with policymakers, Praja plays a crucial role in strengthening democratic participation and ensuring well-governed cities. With a strong focus on urban governance reforms, citizen participation, and municipal finance, Praja continues to contribute towards building efficient and transparent governance systems in Indian cities.

The Praja National Urban Youth Fellowship Programme is an exclusive opportunity for young individuals to gain firsthand experience in urban governance. This on-site fellowship is designed to provide fellows with a deep understanding of how city governments function while actively engaging them in governance processes. The program will be conducted in Mumbai, Delhi, and Lucknow, with a total of 22 fellows selected through a structured application process.

Fellows will undergo a comprehensive orientation to develop foundational knowledge of urban governance, municipal administration, and civic engagement. They will engage in research, data collection, and policy analysis on key urban issues such as public health, education, and municipal finance. Additionally, fellows will have the opportunity to collaborate with elected representatives, government officials, and field experts to gain hands-on experience in governance.

Throughout the fellowship, participants will attend capacity-building sessions, contribute to Praja’s research publications, and assist in organizing events such as Prajatantra – a national youth festival. The program is aimed at nurturing the next generation of civic leaders by equipping them with skills in policy research, data analysis, advocacy, and public administration.

The Contrapuntal is an independent non-profit publication committed to delivering rigorously researched, accessible, and factually accurate journalism from a ground-up perspective. Inspired by Edward Said’s concept of contrapuntal reading, the publication examines the intertwined histories of colonizers and colonized, offering a nuanced approach to complex global issues. With a focus on political economy, migration, ecology, and culture, The Contrapuntal prioritizes people-centric stories, emphasizing voices often silenced and unpacking the structures that perpetuate such silencing. The platform rejects “objective truth” storytelling and false balance, instead aiming to critique oversimplified narratives, particularly those affecting the Global South. By uniting researchers, journalists, activists, artists, and critical thinkers, The Contrapuntal strives to provide diverse perspectives on contemporary global issues.

The Bridging Narratives Grant is an intersectional initiative funded by the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) at Erasmus University Rotterdam. It aims to foster collaborative projects between independent journalists and social scientists, blending academic research and journalism to produce critical, people-centered narratives. The selected projects will address key global themes such as migration, political economy, ecology, and culture, highlighting their local implications through in-depth reporting. The goal is to create high-quality, participatory content that is disseminated through The Contrapuntal’s digital magazine. In addition to financial support, successful applicants will attend a workshop focused on journalism-research collaborations, culminating in an edited volume reflecting on the challenges and opportunities of merging the two fields.

The Millennium Campus Network (MCN) is dedicated to empowering students and young leaders globally to advance the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In partnership with the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI), MCN provides leadership development opportunities through the Millennium Fellowship program. This semester-long initiative brings together undergraduate students to collaborate, learn, and create actionable plans for social impact on their campuses. The program seeks to engage students in meaningful, practical projects that address global challenges while honing their leadership skills in a supportive, goal-driven environment. Through this fellowship, students gain the experience and resources necessary to become future leaders in the global sustainability movement.

The Millennium Fellowship is an esteemed leadership development program designed to help students elevate their leadership skills while advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within their local campus communities. During this semester-long fellowship, participants work in small cohorts to convene regularly, exchange ideas, collaborate on sustainable projects, and take action on campus. Fellows will also receive guidance and support from mentors throughout the program. Upon successful completion of the fellowship, participants will receive a certificate of recognition from the United Nations Academic Impact and the Millennium Campus Network, acknowledging their achievements and contributions toward global sustainability.

The Contrapuntal is an independent non-profit publication committed to delivering rigorously researched, accessible, and factually accurate journalism from a ground-up perspective. Inspired by Edward Said’s concept of contrapuntal reading, the publication examines the intertwined histories of colonizers and colonized, offering a nuanced approach to complex global issues. With a focus on political economy, migration, ecology, and culture, The Contrapuntal prioritizes people-centric stories, emphasizing voices often silenced and unpacking the structures that perpetuate such silencing. The platform rejects “objective truth” storytelling and false balance, instead aiming to critique oversimplified narratives, particularly those affecting the Global South. By uniting researchers, journalists, activists, artists, and critical thinkers, The Contrapuntal strives to provide diverse perspectives on contemporary global issues.

The Bridging Narratives Grant is an intersectional initiative funded by the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) at Erasmus University Rotterdam. It aims to foster collaborative projects between independent journalists and social scientists, blending academic research and journalism to produce critical, people-centered narratives. The selected projects will address key global themes such as migration, political economy, ecology, and culture, highlighting their local implications through in-depth reporting. The goal is to create high-quality, participatory content that is disseminated through The Contrapuntal’s digital magazine. In addition to financial support, successful applicants will attend a workshop focused on journalism-research collaborations, culminating in an edited volume reflecting on the challenges and opportunities of merging the two fields.