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Deadline Extended! Carbon Smart India Fellowship 2025 for Young Changemakers

Overview of the Fellowship

The Carbon Smart India Fellowship offers a unique opportunity for young changemakers to engage in hands-on, field-based work that drives both social and climate impact. This 12-month, full-time fellowship enables individuals to contribute to India’s sustainable energy transition, particularly through decentralized solar adoption and community-based climate action.

By equipping youth with skills in solar technology, ethical sales practices, and sustainability, the fellowship aims to foster a generation of climate leaders who will champion India’s green future.

Key Objectives

  1. Decentralized Solar Adoption: The fellowship aims to facilitate the widespread adoption of solar energy at the household and community levels, driving renewable energy solutions in underserved areas.
  2. Youth Empowerment: Fellows will gain in-depth knowledge and skills in solar technology, ethical sales, and sustainability to help them become youth climate leaders.
  3. Carbon Offset through Tree Plantation: The program integrates geo-tagged, community-based tree plantation drives to offset embedded carbon emissions from solar installations.
  4. Climate Advocacy and Data Generation: Fellows will contribute to building advocacy materials, collecting climate impact data, and crafting human-centered stories that highlight the importance of sustainable development.

Fellowship Structure

The fellowship spans 12 months, with a field-based, immersive experience that begins with foundational leadership training and progresses to practical fieldwork. It is based in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, with the first three months being residential. Accommodation will be provided for fellows during this period. The fellowship includes stipends and benefits worth ₹1.8 Lacs over the course of the program.

Program Phases:

  1. Foundation & Inner Leadership (Month 1)
    In the first month, fellows undergo a deep introspective journey, focusing on developing the emotional intelligence and leadership skills necessary for effective change-making.
    • Leadership Labs: Interactive sessions aimed at enhancing self-awareness, resilience, and emotional intelligence.
    • Sustainability 101: Fellows are introduced to climate science, carbon emissions, and solar energy solutions.
    • Self-Reflection Modules: Practices and tools designed to help fellows explore their personal purpose and growth areas.
    • Community Immersion: Early exposure to fieldwork, allowing fellows to connect with local communities and understand the challenges they face.
  2. Field Immersion & Action-Based Learning (Months 2–3)
    Fellows take on real-world challenges, facilitating outreach and community engagement efforts around solar adoption.
    • Engage in Solar Sabhas, Samvads (discussions), and door-to-door outreach campaigns.
    • Apply listening and facilitation skills to build trust and mobilize community interest.
    • Participate in weekly reflection circles and peer coaching to reflect on experiences and refine strategies.
  3. Ownership, Innovation & Collective Impact (Months 4–12)
    The final phase shifts focus to independent fieldwork and leadership. Fellows will take charge of specific regions and lead localized climate campaigns, working on solar adoption projects and testing innovative ideas for sustainable solutions.
    • Lead mini-projects on solar adoption and awareness.
    • Receive monthly mentoring and attend thematic workshops on topics like behavioral change, social enterprise, and fundraising.
    • Design personal impact blueprints to drive change in their communities.
    • Explore opportunities for post-fellowship careers in climate action and the green economy.

Core Initiatives

  1. Solar Adoption Campaign
    Fellows will engage communities through public meetings, workshops, and door-to-door outreach to encourage the adoption of solar energy systems. They will focus on building technical literacy, fostering trust, and providing long-term support to ensure successful transitions to solar power.
  2. OffseTree Program
    As part of the fellowship, each solar installation will be audited for its embedded carbon. In collaboration with local stakeholders, fellows will plant native trees to offset the carbon emissions associated with solar systems. These tree plantations will be geo-tagged, documented through vlogs, and monitored to track survival rates and verify the climate impact.

Social & Climate Impact

The Carbon Smart India Fellowship aims to create measurable social and environmental benefits:

  • Social Impact:
    • Empower youth by providing skills and employment opportunities in the green economy.
    • Reduce household energy costs through solar adoption.
    • Strengthen connections between communities, governments, and solar businesses, fostering collaboration.
  • Climate Impact:
    • Provide verified carbon offsets through afforestation efforts.
    • Promote the increased use of solar energy at the grassroots level.
    • Gather and share impactful data and stories to influence evidence-based climate policy.

Who Should Apply?

This fellowship is ideal for individuals aged 18–30 who are passionate about climate action, sustainable development, and community service. While prior experience in fieldwork, sales, or renewable energy is beneficial, it is not mandatory.

What matters most is a deep commitment to making a difference and contributing to India’s transition to a sustainable, carbon-smart future.

Application Deadline: May 25, 2025

For more details or queries, applicants can contact the fellowship team at: [email protected].

Apply now and become part of a transformative journey that will equip you with the skills, experience, and purpose to shape India’s green future — one community at a time.

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