Deadline: 11-Jun-23
Applicants are now invited to submit their applications for the Digital Swaraj Fellowship, a one-year experiential leadership journey to bring about a digital transformation at the grassroots.
It is an opportunity for India’s youth to contribute to society as a digital change leader. The fellows will have hands-on exposure to the rural digital landscape and work on innovative solutions to bring digital access to the underserved, unconnected, and marginalized communities. The experience will provide a comprehensive understanding of grassroots realities to the fellows, equipping them to become agents of social change. It will enable them to harness the potential of ‘Digital’ to bring ‘Digital Swaraj’.
The digital landscape in India is highly skewed not just in terms of access, but also the way it has been designed, not catering to the needs of the diverse group of people. India as a country is still far away from being a digital society, with the current focus on bringing just access to it and not on enabling them to use it for their empowerment. ‘Swaraj’ means self-governance and getting digital with complete self-governance is ‘Digital Swaraj’. It is to connect people digitally in a meaningful, effective and efficient way, without compromising on their rights & privacy. It is to democratically connect people under constitutional guidelines. It is to enable people to use digital in a conscious way, for their needs, rights and development.
Thematic Areas of the Fellowships
- Digital and Information Technology Tools/Solutions for Development Develop IT based solutions for the betterment of the society, creating tools benefiting large number of people.
- Research, Communication & Advocacy for Digital Rights & Development Research on the various aspects of digital development from multiple lenses including the progress, the gaps, the concerns and the opportunities. Provide insights into the different endeavors to bring the digital revolution to the unconnected, underserved & marginalized communities.
- Digital Inclusion for Poverty Alleviation and Fighting Exclusion Build and implement on ground programs at various levels with women, youth, PWDs and other stakeholders, bringing digital access and facilities to the large masses of underserved communities.
- Digital Models for Capacity Building of Institutions, Government, Businesses and Civil Society On ground capacity building and skill development of major stakeholders -Institutions, Government, Businesses and Civil Society personal to create digital change agents at the grassroots level.
Benefits
- Hands on learning through on-ground implementation
- Learn practically from the leaders in the sector who have years of on-ground experience
- Understand the rural digital landscape from up-close
- Develop and implement solutions for the underserved, unconnected and marginalized communities
- Development of collaboration and problem-solving skills
- Build one’s entrepreneurial and leadership skills
- Policy, governance, new media & technology exposure
- Opportunity to get one’s research paper published by Centre for Development Policy and Practice (CDPP).
Funding Information
- The fellows will receive a stipend of Rs. 25,000 per month. Taxes applicable as per government regulations.
- Duration: The Fellowship is for a 12 Month duration from 3 July, 2023 to 30 June, 2024.
Eligibility Criteria
- The applicant should be an Indian citizen.
- The applicant should be between 20 to 26 years of age.
- Minimum graduation level of education.
- Proficient level of communication skills -Written & Verbal (English)
- Commitment to social change.
- Action-oriented with a willingness to work at the grassroots.
- Looking for a challenging & immersive experience.
- Interest in working at Advocacy & Policy level
- Working knowledge of MS Office.
For more information, visit Digital Swaraj Fellowship.