21
CITIES REPRESENTED
08
MONTHS OF LOVING YOUR CITY
7.5K
MONTHLY STIPEND
02
EXPERIENTIAL RESIDENCIES
The Nāgrika Fellowship is an immersive journey. Cities work better when people who live in them can identify problems, shape practical solutions, and work with others to act.
As a fellow, you will conduct fieldwork in your own city, interview residents, map places, uncover concerns, document the dreams people hold for where they live and finally act on all that you have learned. You will build a comprehensive, citizen-centred portrait of your city and translate what you learn into small, practical civic actions.
The fellowship is for those who want to engage and do something for their home town in a sustained manner.
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21 - 30 years old
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Currently living and having lived in a small city in India for at least the past 5 years (Population less than 15 lakhs as per 2011 census)
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Completed or are currently enrolled in a bachelor’s-level programme or an equivalent degree recognized in India.
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Build the knowledge and undertake action in their cities. Five ways in which they will engage with their city are:
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Immerse: Walk neighbourhoods, markets, places where you feel you belong; map how the city functions day to day.
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Audit: Examine public services like waste, accessibility, walkability and understand the interface between citizens and government.
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Listen: Talk to everyday citizens, vendors, elders, teachers, students, sanitation workers, persons with disabilities.
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Envision: Write a City Vision Document and take it back to the community for dialogue.
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Act: Turn learning into action for a local issue, a workable fix, allies to back it, and undertake the first step.
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Commit to spend 30–40 hours per month for eight months.
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Attend all live online modules and two in-person seminars.
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Open Mindset: curiosity; strong observation, documentation and communication skills; Willingness to participate actively both online and offline; Collaborative Attitude
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Self-discipline and accountability in meeting deadlines and goals.
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This fellowship is about exploring, questioning, and reimagining your city. Fellows will:
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Explore deeply: Understand their city, its systems, rhythms, and lived realities.
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Uncover stories: Listen to and document overlooked voices and experiences.
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Connect research and storytelling: Turn observations into accessible knowledge.
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Create local impact: Develop community-rooted contributions with long-term potential.
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Grow as practitioners: Build a portfolio across research, policy, and creative documentation.
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The Nāgrika Fellowship Programme is an initiative by Nāgrika. Nāgrika is a citizen-centered resource hub and platform that identifies, amplifies and empowers voices from India’s small cities to influence the narratives about their development.
The fellowship is designed to empower the youth of India's smaller cities to positively and productively engage with their cities and communities. While Nāgrika anchors the fellowship, some of the sessions will be conducted by guest speakers from diverse groups: urban practitioners and experts, active citizens and community leaders from small cities, and the Nāgrika team.
You will not be a researcher parachuting in. You will be a resident who finally pays attention.
Immerse
Walk neighbourhoods, markets, places where you feel you belong; map how the city functions day to day
Audit
Examine public services like waste, accessibility, walkability and the departments behind them.
Listen
Talk to everyday citizens, vendors, elders, teachers, students, sanitation workers, persons with disabilities
Envision
Write a City Vision Document and take it back to the community for dialogue
Act
Turn learning into action: a local issue, a workable fix, allies to back it, and a first step.
City Vision Documents
Become a your city's steward. Turn local knowledge into action.
We are looking for the next Nāgrika Fellowship cohort. If you are from a small town and want to do something meaningful for your city. Apply for the fellowship!
You’ll explore your city, listen to its citizens, uncover what makes it unique, and create a City Vision Document that captures its aspirations for the future.
Applications are open to young people from cities across India. Your city does not need to be on this list — it needs a fellow.
