Celebrating Small Cities
- connect2783
- Sep 1
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 26
In March 2025, Nāgrika organised the Power of Nāgrika Conclave and created an intimate space where everyday struggles, local solutions, and the spirit of small-city citizens took centre stage. The Conclave brought together changemakers from across India’s smaller cities for two days of reflection, dialogue, and inspiration.
The Conclave was rooted in Nāgrika’s belief that citizens are at the centre of shaping the places they live in. Both individually and collectively, citizens have protected trees, revived lakes, created zero-waste neighbourhoods, and they are not stopping just at this. Participants exchanged stories of creativity and resilience, offering a window into the rich and varied ways smaller cities are responding to contemporary urban challenges.
It was a space for people from diverse walks of life to share lived experiences, explore common challenges, and celebrate the spirit of small-city citizenship and what it means to be from a small city.
The Conclave was rooted in Nāgrika’s belief that citizens are at the center of shaping the places they live in. Both individually and collectively, citizens have protected trees, revived lakes, and created zero-waste neighborhoods, and they are not stopping just at this. Participants exchanged stories of creativity and resilience, offering a window into the rich and varied ways smaller cities are responding to contemporary urban challenges.
Through the conclave, it became evident that the root of the issues faced by our smaller cities and their responses are shaped by each city’s unique context. Our conversations emphasised the importance of acknowledging local context rather than imposing uniform solutions. Recognising a city’s specific assets, challenges, and community dynamics enables sustainable and grounded actions. It allows for tailored solutions that are rooted in lived experiences and civic understanding. The conclave thus reinforced our long-held belief that real change doesn’t come from conformity; it emerges when citizens embrace what is distinct about their cities and build from there.
The stories shared by our participants proved how grounded knowledge tackles real-time challenges and holds the government accountable. Citizens are combining professional expertise (architecture/engineering) with civic intent to support local bodies. However, sustaining them requires more than passion. Citizens need platforms to connect, exchange strategies, and stay inspired. The conclave highlighted Nāgrika’s role as that of a connector, bringing citizen groups into dialogue, helping them grow their efforts, and we will continue to do so.
Small City Declaration
A step in the same direction was also a highlight of the conclave. It was the signing of the Small City Declaration, a voluntary statement of shared intention that received an overwhelming response from participants, many of whom signed it with pride and purpose.
The Declaration underscored a collective affirmation: that small cities matter, not just for their scale or economy, but for their culture, resilience, and lived realities. It laid down shared intentions to celebrate these identities, center community voices, promote mutual learning, support climate-resilient practices, encourage local economies, and foster inclusion in shaping urban futures.
The Declaration is a call to action to love our cities not just in words but in the way we show up for it. To not let our small cities be lost as a token in the larger urban discourse, but to bring out their uniqueness and authenticity to adapt to the fast-paced world. To bring focus to the citizens of our small cities, beyond the stereotypes, and seek to amplify local voices of smaller cities in India. The signatures are a testament of support and form a virtual community of people who want to help build each other, support causes, and hold ourselves accountable to love and loyalty for our cities.
Calling signatories for the big love of small cities
If you resonate with the affirmation and would like to become a signatory to the Small City Declaration, please fill out the form linked below, and we would love for you to be a part of the declaration.
Have a look at some of our activities from the Power of Nāgrika Conclave:
Glimpses of the Conclave moments captured from across sessions and interactions.
From every corner of India’s smaller cities, changemakers gathered.
What is one word that comes to your mind when you think of a small city in India? Participants share their thoughts.
How would you describe your city to someone who has never been there? Stories from different hometowns.
The Conclave was supported by Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies
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