The Vriksh Initiative by Sahaj Foundation
Empowering Early-Stage Social Leaders working with communities across India
Bushra Parveen
Digidhaara Foundation
Almora, Uttarakhand 263601, India
Creating community-based learning experiences for children, youth and women by using art, storytelling and digital tools.
Digital Equity & Inclusion, Education
Manisha Chaudhary
Bargat Collective
Kangra, Himachal Pradesh 176001, India
Creating livelihood opportunities for women by making hand-made products from pine needles
Livelihood, Women Empowerment
Vaibhav Vaidya
Western Ghats Heritage and Peoples Trust
Dindigul, Tamil Nadu, India
Empowering Indigenous communities in the Western Ghats through SHGs
Community Empowerment
Pranali Chikte
Cycle Chaak Council
Nagpur, Maharashtra, India
Building a culture of cycling, encouraging conscious choices, reducing consumerism, and opening dialogue around sustainable ways of living.
Environmental Sustainability, Conscious Living
Khushwanth M
Satarangisaathi Foundation
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Working for LGBTQIA+ community in advocacy, policy sensitization, and community activities.
LGBTQ+ Rights
Nirmala Ashwin Zala
Khojgram Foundation
Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India
Providing educational opportunities to children from the nomadic Bharwad pastoralist community.
Education, Skill Development
Anbalagan Hari
Aimabig Ecotech Foundation
Tenkasi, Tamil Nadu, India
Strengthening community skills, knowledge, and policies for efficient municipal solid waste management
Waste Management, Environmental Sustainability, Skill Development
Anand Singh
Yuvisam Foundation
Harda, Madhya Pradesh 461331, India
Equipping young leaders with 21st-century skills, transforming government schools via SEEL education program, and driving community-led environmental sustainability programs.
Education, Skill Development
OUR OFFERINGS AND IMPACT
THE VRIKSH FELLOWSHIP
The fellowship aims to financially support early-stage Social Leaders who are working for the benefit of economically or socially disadvantaged section of Indian Society, residing anywhere in slums, rural or tribal areas of the country. The financial support includes a monthly support of Rs 12,000 for the chosen leaders’ personal daily sustenance for a minimum period of 2 years.
CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAMS
We are in the process of designing capacity building programs for our fellows for their individual as-well-as organizational development as per their vision, values and principles.
In addition, as our present focus area is Sustainability and Climate Change, we are committed to deepen our fellows' understanding of the field while they continue to do their work with the communities.
ANNUAL IMPACT REPORT 2022
We have come a long way since we launched our pilot (Disha Parivartan Fellowship) in 2019.
So far, we have worked with 13 fellows in 7 different domains working in 8 states of the country.
We have also engaged 12 funders (mostly individual philanthropists) who have not only chosen to contribute financially, but have also shared their time and experience with the fellows.
Do explore our Annual Impact Report 2022 for more insights.
OUR TEAM
Ashish Arora
Team Lead
Bir, Himachal Pradesh, India
Manoj Sharma
Team Member, Trustee
Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
Vyjayanthi Chander
Team Member
Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Raju Chander
Team Member
Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Kishore Nath
Mentor
Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Sunil Chavan
Mentor
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India