IKVANSHU
Sapno ki Udaan Fellowship
Why the SAPNO KI UDAAN Fellowship?
Bringing About Social Change Should Not Be a Privilege
In India, many social entrepreneurs come from privileged backgrounds that allow them to take risks and fund their ideas. However, passionate community members from low-income areas often lack these resources. The SAPNO KI UDAAN Fellowship seeks to change this dynamic by offering fellows monthly stipends, enabling them to focus on their vision without compromising their financial responsibilities. This support allows them to drive social change without sacrificing their ability to care for their families.
Cultivating Grassroots Leaders
At Ikvanshu, we believe that individuals from low-income communities, with the right guidance, mentorship, and connections, possess the potential to bring about sustainable social change. These community leaders can become role models, inspiring others and making a lasting impact on their communities.
Restoring Agency to the People
We trust in the expertise of those with lived experiences in their communities. Ikvanshu's approach is to distribute power and resources to grassroots leaders who know the solutions to their problems but lack the support to implement them. By restoring agency to those directly impacted by social issues, we empower them to lead and implement change.
Fellowship Cadence
To be eligible for the SAPNO KI UDAAN Fellowship, applicants must:
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Reside in a slum or low-income community in Mumbai, India
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Be at least 18 years of age
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Have a venture, idea, or non-profit that directly impacts their community in the areas of health, education, or livelihoods
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Commit to working on their venture throughout the piloting phase
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Apply as an individual or with one Co-Founder who meets the above criteria
2024 SAPNO KI UDAAN Fellowship Pilot
Ikvanshu will pilot the SAPNO KI UDAAN Fellowship in 2024 with 3-4 fellows from the Jogeshwari and Ambewadi communities. This pilot will test our methodology, support systems, and impact hypothesis. We are seeking an initial seed of Rs. 15,00,000 to implement the fellowship, with 50% of the funds dedicated to supporting fellows’ social ventures and stipends.
Pre-Pilot
We are currently piloting our model with Tulika Rajbhar, a community leader working to improve waste segregation, composting, and urban space design in her community through her venture, Neev. Follow their journey on Instagram to learn more.