The Azadi Summer Leadership Program 2026 is a highly immersive four-week humanitarian field experience organized in India by The Azadi Project. The program is designed for emerging global leaders who are passionate about social impact, community development, gender equity, education, and refugee support work.
This intensive leadership experience places selected participants directly into grassroots community settings in New Delhi and Jaipur, where they work alongside experienced practitioners to design, implement, and evaluate real-world social impact programs. The focus is on supporting displaced women, refugee families, and marginalized children through structured educational, psychosocial, and livelihood initiatives.
Only three participants are selected globally, making this a highly competitive and deeply personalized leadership opportunity.
Program Overview
The Azadi Summer Leadership Program is structured as a hands-on field immersion where participants are not observers but active contributors to ongoing community development initiatives.
Selected humanitarian leaders will be based in two key locations:
1. New Delhi Field Placement
In New Delhi, participants will work in a community center that serves displaced women, refugee families, and children. They are expected to either:
- Design and implement their own community project, OR
- Join and strengthen existing programs already running at the center
Existing Community Programs in New Delhi
Participants may engage in the following initiatives:
- Mental Health Counseling Services
- Individual therapy sessions (only certified practitioners can facilitate)
- Psychosocial Support Groups
- Group sessions focused on emotional resilience and trauma recovery
- Education Support for Children
- After-school academic tutoring for refugee and migrant children (Grades 1–6)
- Secondary School Academic Support
- Personalized or small-group learning sessions for adolescent girls
- Digital Literacy Programs
- Introduction to computers, tablets, and digital platforms such as YouTube
- Digital Storytelling Initiatives
- Empowering refugee women and children to share their stories through media
- Sexual and Reproductive Health Awareness
- Educational workshops and awareness sessions
- Livelihood Skills Training
- Crochet and stitching programs supporting refugee and migrant women entrepreneurs
Participants are actively guided through ideation, project design, implementation, and evaluation in collaboration with the local program team.
2. Jaipur, Rajasthan Field Placement
In Jaipur, participants work within gender-sensitive citizenship education programs implemented in Madarsa schools.
Key activities include:
- Supporting classroom-based engagement activities
- Assisting program facilitators in curriculum delivery
- Engaging directly with children and educators
- Contributing to the development of inclusive citizenship education models
This placement emphasizes intercultural learning, gender inclusion, and education reform in community school systems.
Training and Professional Development
Throughout the program, participants receive structured expert-led training in:
- Development communication strategies
- Social entrepreneurship and innovation
- Civil society leadership and governance
- Community-based participatory program design
- Impact evaluation and reporting
These sessions are designed to strengthen participants’ ability to lead sustainable development initiatives in their home countries and globally.
Program Duration
- Duration: 4 Weeks
- Start Date: July 2026
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Must be 18 years of age or older
- Open to undergraduate and graduate students
- Young professionals in corporate, development, or humanitarian sectors
- Strong proficiency in English (Hindi is an advantage but not mandatory)
- Must possess a valid Indian visa or be an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI holder)
- Open to global applicants with a strong interest in humanitarian and social impact work
Program Costs and Funding Structure
- Training: Fully covered (pro bono expert training included)
- Accommodation, Food, and Domestic Travel: Organized and provided by the program
- Estimated Cost for logistics: Approximately USD 3,500 per participant for the full duration
- International Travel: Must be arranged and funded by participants
Application Process
Applicants are required to submit their applications online through Google Forms.
Required Documents:
- Motivation letter
- Completed application form (including volunteering experience, expectations, and availability)
- Updated CV or Resume
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: May 30, 2026
- Shortlisted Candidates Notified: June 5, 2026
- Final Selection Announcement: June 10, 2026
- Program Commencement: July 2026
Conclusion
The Azadi Summer Leadership Program 2026 offers a rare opportunity to engage directly with vulnerable communities in India while developing practical leadership, project management, and humanitarian skills. With only three participants selected globally, it is one of the most competitive and immersive field leadership experiences available for aspiring changemakers.
For more information about this opportunity, visit here.
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