National Foundation for India NFI was set up in 1992 by eminent Indians, under the leadership of late C. Subramanian, Late Dr Kamla Chowdhry and Dr. M. S. Swaminathan as an Indian grant making and fund-raising foundation to address inequities and catalyze constructive work by promoting a vibrant and strong voluntary sector, to address the development challenges of the poorest in the country.

Areas of work Local Governance Livelihood security Elementary Education Community Health Development Journlism Peace and Justice Citizens and Society

NFI Youth Initiative “Promoting the spirit of Voluntarism and Citizenship amongst Young People”

Genesis The programme started in 2002 and since then NFI has been committed to promoting youth voluntarism in India: Exposing young people to grassroot civic action and enhancing their capacity for moving beyond the individual. Catalyzing new ideas for promoting voluntarism in society. Demystifying and facilitating a shared understanding of gender equity, responsible citizenship and empowerment amongst the youth. Enabling the youth/ mid career individuals to connect with the lives of the poor and the marginalized.

Contd…. This thematic area under the citizens and society programme owes its origin to the growing disconnect amongst the youth with respect to notion of citizenship and the culture of civic participation. To facilitate platforms for young people across caste, class, region etc to just converse and engage with each other The programme is designed to help the youth discover their capacities for public service and civic action beyond themselves. To catalyze the spirit of citizenship amongst young people.

Instruments for engagement Youth Internship Youth Apprenticeship Innovative Grants

Youth Internship Program The programme is focused to expose university students to the tradition of civic action concerned with the development challenges facing the country. Through this programme it is our endeavor to provide a hands-on field exposure to the youth and to foster a spirit of engagement among them with the development activities in the country. Over the last decade we have sent about 2400 students to 60 organizations.

Some broad statistics of the Internship Program

Memoirs down the lane “What I learnt most from this programme is to look within myself and learn from my own strengths and weaknesses and that leadership cannot be taught, but comes from within.” “My recent experience in an Orissa village mostly inhabited by tribal people has become a turning point in my life. It’s a major motivating force to redouble my efforts to serve society.” “ At a personal level, it was an amazing experience to interact with the lives and struggle of people in Pastanga village in Sikkim. I wish to go back to the village again.” “My journey to Sambalpur was really very enlightening. It ignited a new quest within me everyday, which motivated me to greater heights to work as well as learn all the more.” “What I like most about this programme is the effort that NFI is putting in to identify and recognize people working at the grassroots, and in giving impetus to their work.”

Youth Apprenticeship Program Youth Apprenticeship -NFI launched its apprenticeship programme as a part of the broader internship programme. The idea is to provide young NFI interns an opportunity to purse an in depth apprenticeship with NGOs for a longer period of time. We believe that such a programme could help young people to understand themselves and the tradition of civic action and citizenship better.

Innovative Grants NFI has been making grants to NGOs and civil society groups to work on youth development and in the process promote a spirit of voluntarism, youth engagement among them. The idea behind the grants is to provide space to youngsters to articulate their understanding of themselves and then the social, political and economic issues facing their communities and to foster sense of responsibility among them, towards their community and become committed to contributing positively towards their surroundings. We do this in the form of resource centres, facilitating youth seminars supporting NGOs to engage with young people more proactively.

SOME innovative grants Swechha, Delhi ISST, Delhi Agragamee, Orissa

Swechha Swechha’s objectives is to create a healthier social environment and to re-establish the connection, not only with Yamuna, but also with the environment (both ecological and social), in general. The Pagdandi Project It is a volunteer driven community intervention program that celebrates the potential of voluntary action and activism. Volunteers are the backbone of Pagdandi. The focus of the grant, on one hand is to engage, motivate and inspire citizens, students towards civic responsibility and community action and on the other to reach out to underprivileged communities and facilitate their access to education, health, livelihood, life skills, environment etc.

ISST The Institute of Social Studies Trust is dedicated to conducting research and action programmes to ensure social justice and equity for the underprivileged with a focus on women. In recognition of its efforts, ISST has been conferred NGO Consultative Status by the United Nations.  NFI sees this grant as a learning partnership between ISST and NFI which will give space to both the organizations in understanding and learning about working and engaging with the youth coming from different segments and also share with each other experiences to make it into a wider youth movement.

Agragamee With an aim to implement sustainable solutions for community survival and growth, Agragamee is proposing to work and train the local rural community youth, to empower them to rely on indigenous resources, and build upon their existing cultural and economic context. NFI sees this grant as a learning partnership between Agragamee and NFI which will give space to both the organizations in understanding and learning about working and engaging with the youth coming from different segments and also share with each other experiences to make it into a wider youth movement. The programme is looked at building community potential for a service and these individuals become custodians of a larger common good.

School Programme Most of the technology we are using today is helping us in quick dissemination of information but is stopping us from reflection and expression. The current mainstream media both electronic and print has failed in presenting a balanced view about our society. Young minds are flooded with negative images, violence, and advertisements pursuing them to be only consumers. In this context NFI is trying to showcase some extra ordinary efforts by ordinary people who are working tirelessly in their respective communities under the most difficult conditions. Purpose: Generate awareness amongst school children. Promote a spirit of voluntarism among them. In the long term - Attract thoughtful people to the development sector

An important aspect of the school program is the photo exhibition which is hosted in several schools of urban acknowledgement.

Opportunities India is a young country, Organizations facilitating youth programmes limited. Opportunities for many many more. Collaborations amongst different interest groups still limited. Forging innovative partnerships amongst CSOs, corporate sector, Media and the state needs to be given due attention. Engagement with youth should be for youth sake only – One needs to see them as active participants rather than as beneficiaries.

Thank You