NFI announce C. Subramanium Award program for Community development and social change for the year 2013-14. The award would provide an opportunity to mid career voluntary sector workers and community leaders to enhance their skills and deepen their leadership qualities.
NFI has been organizing the grass roots award program for the last 10 years. Till date, fellows have been selected from the cross section of people from different parts of India like Orissa, Assam, Karnataka, UP, Gujarat, Rajsthan, Andhra Pradesh, Chattisgarh etc. So far 73 fellows were selected including 37 men and 36 women. The activities of the C S Fellows have been wideranging including study on role of SHG in electric connection, study on the participatory forest resource management, on salt workers in the grip of money lenders in Gujarat, social audit of total sanitation campaign to mention a few.
National Foundation for India
The National Foundation for India is an autonomous, professionally managed fund raising and grant-making organization promoting civil society action and public deliberation for social change. It was set up in 1992 by a group of eminent citizens led by Late Shri C Subramaniam, Dr M.S..Swaminathan and Late Ms Kamla Choudhry who felt the need for a vibrant voluntary sector in creating a more just and equitable society by enabling marginalized communities to improve the quality of their own lives, and by improving public understanding. To know more about the foundation, please visit www.nfi.org.in
ABOUT THE AWARD
In recognition of the seminal contribution made by Shri C Subramaniam, the founder Chairman of NFI, in the field of food security and sustainable livelihood, NFI instituted an award program in 2003 for mid-career voluntary sector workers and community leaders for promoting voluntary action and local leadership in the fields of food security and sustainable livelihood.
Voluntary Sector Workers : A large number of people in the voluntary sector lack the benefits of formal education and opportunities for upward mobility. Many voluntary workers spend long years working at the grassroots level and gain vast experience, knowledge and depth of understanding about doing development work because of their roots in their area of engagement. This despite modest salaries and daunting work at the grassroots level. The voluntary sector draws its strength and depends on the performance of this group of people for making any large-scale impact.
Community Leaders : In recent years, the community has become the focus of development work. But contrary to what is often believed, it is difficult for deprived people to come into a relationship that strengthens cooperation and self-governance. The importance of supporting and encouraging community leaders, who create bonds of solidarity and values that empower communities in achieving democratic and egalitarian goals, cannot be ignored.
OBJECTIVES
• To provide opportunities to selected fellows to upgrade their skills, deepen their leadership qualities and enhance motivation and understanding on various issues.
• To create a network of individual and institutions in order to increase the voluntary sector’s understanding on the issues of food security and sustainable livelihood.
• To encourage community level leaders who would be able to articulate the need of the local citizenry and mobilize them to access their rights and entitlements.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Voluntary sector workers – giving leadership on constructive work at the grassroots for minimum 8-10 years.
Community leaders – engaged in social movement / constructive at community level, for minimum 8-10 years.
Women candidates will be encouraged for both the Awards.
AWARD
Award of Rs. 50,000/- and a momento will be given to the selected candidates.
APPLICATION GUIDELINES
• Both, the Voluntary Workers and Community Leaders should send a brief write-up of their experience, justifying eligibility for the Fellowships.
• A proposal from the candidate outlining the specific area of work he / she would like to pursue with the Fellowships grant.
• The applications for both the Awards should be forwarded by the Chief Functionary of the NGO where the candidate is working.
The C. Subramaniam fellows for voluntary sector workers and community leaders have been awarded to 73 people in the past 10 years.
The last date for receipt of application is 15th August, 2013
For Application form contact :
Dr Amita Pal
National Foundation for India
Core 4A, UGF, India Habitat Centre
Lodi Road, New Delhi – 110003
Phones : 91-11-24641864 /65, 91-11-24648490-92
Fax : 91-11-24641867
E.mail : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Visit http://www.nfi.org.in for more details. Download application form HERE