EMPOWERING SOCIAL LEADERS
An Initiative of Sahaj Foundation
ABOUT US
The Vriksh is an incubation platform for early-stage social leaders working with communities in India.
Current Focus: Sustainability and Climate Change
WHAT DOES 'VRIKSH' STAND FOR?
Vriskh stands for a Tree (in English). Just as a tree gives shelter to pilgrims on their pilgrimage, we at The Vriksh envision to serve our social leaders on their journey towards societal transformation. The Vriksh in nature inspires us to become The Vriksh of the social leaders.
OUR FELLOWS
THE ONGOING VRIKSH FELLOWS
Neerajana Pradhani
VasudhaivaKutumba
Community strengthening activities through practicing regenerative farming/forestation as a part of life and lifestyle: starting from the selves
Amruta Naidu
URVEE Public Trust
Providing Eco-friendly and sustainable housing solutions to make villages self-reliant in Maharashtra
Rebek Khiangte
Full Life Access Trust (FLAT)
Creating safe spaces for Youth, tackling issues such as child abuse, addiction in youth, lack of self-awareness and providing career guidance
Kaviarsai Mariappan
Tarunya Foundation
Facilitating value-based holistic development of children and youth in Tenkasi and Tirunelveli Districts of Tamil Nadu
Aksabanu Vahora
Earth Rakshak Foundation
Adopting and building efficient and sustainable solid waste management systems for government local bodies in rural Gujarat.
Rameshwar Walkikar
Technoloshala Foundation
Providing technology-aided education to strengthen the existing government school ecosystem to improve student learning outcome.
OUR ALUMNI FELLOWS
Rebek Khiangte
Full Life Access Trust (FLAT)
Creating safe spaces for Youth, tackling issues such as child abuse, addiction in youth, lack of self-awareness and providing career guidance
Amit Raj
Feel Parmartham Foundation
Leading the Foundation to feed, rescue and rehabilitate the helpless elderly and mentally ill people in the city of Bhilai, Chattisgarh
Pranali Jadhav
Ovee Trust
Working for the education and social empowerment of nomadic tribal communities in rural Maharashtra
Siddhesh Sakore
AGRO RANGERS TRUST
Promoting regenerative organic agriculture practices to make farming sustainable in rural Maharashtra
Aksabanu Vahora
Earth Rakshak Foundation
Adopting and building efficient and sustainable solid waste management systems for government local bodies in rural Gujarat
Sahebrao Rathod
Zep Samaj Vikas Sanstha
Facilitating upliftment of tribal and nomadic communities, child rights and educational issues of the children in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra
Aparna Chaudhary and Sachin Mohite
SpacECE India Foundation
Working in the field of Early Childhood Development and Care with the communities of urban slums, towns and villages of Maharashtra
Amreen Farooq
Each One Feed One
Providing skills training programs to single mothers underprivileged women and refugees in South East Delhi
Rameshwar Walkikar
Technoshala Foundation
Providing technology-aided education to strengthen the existing government school ecosystem to improve student learning outcome
Prashant Anand and Tanya Khera
Samanta Foundation
Providing Education, Healthcare and Women Empowerment support to the Forest Communities of the Lower Shivalik Himalayas in state of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.
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.
APPLICATION DEADLINE:
November 30, 2023
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
Ashish is a co-founder of The Vriksh Initiative and Sahaj Foundation. He supports people to follow their hearts and organizations to create transformative cultures.
Since 2013, Ashish’s work has emerged into the Personal, Systemic and Organizational Transformation space. He organizes retreats for youth to understand their hearts’ calling, facilitates workshops to collectively explore the limitations and possibilities of transformation of our mainstream socio-economic systems, and works with organizations to inspire them to embrace the Teal paradigm.
At a personal level, Ashish prefers to practise simple living that involves farming, cooking and spending time in nature. He lives with his partner in Bir, Himachal Pradesh.
ANKIT SRIVASTAVA
Ankit is one of the founders of the Vriksh initiative. He is passionate about sustainability and works towards building solutions and helping others build solutions for one of the biggest challenges facing us as humanity.
Ankit is also the co-founder of Climajo, a B2B marketplace for sustainable retailers. Previously, he worked in venture capital focusing on investing in early-stage ClimateTech companies. He also hosted Dowell, a podcast focused on discussing steps to create a more sustainable planet.
Ankit has an MBA from the London Business School and an engineering degree from IIT Roorkee. He lives in London with his wife and a 3-year-old son.