Hyderabad, September 20, 2024: The Motwani Jadeja Foundation (MJF) has announced the launch of the Impact Fellowship, a prestigious annual initiative aimed at advancing India’s leadership in global social innovation. This fellowship will provide exceptional opportunities for outstanding Indian social leaders to showcase their impactful work, connect with global networks, and enhance their capacity to drive meaningful change.
As part of the inaugural fellowship, fourteen non-profit impact leaders from India will visit New York City this month to represent India at global forums alongside the United Nations General Assembly.
Speaking on the launch, Asha Jadeja, President of Motwani Jadeja Foundation, emphasized the significance of the Impact Fellowship in symbolizing India’s limitless potential and growing leadership in global social innovation. By empowering change-makers, the foundation aims to amplify their voices and nurture the seeds of transformational impact that will resonate across India and beyond.
Despite India’s robust social sector spending of Rs. 23 lakh crore (approximately USD 280 billion) in FY 2023, its representation in global social impact forums remains modest compared to peers like the US. The Motwani Jadeja Impact Fellowship, in partnership with Dasra, seeks to address this disparity by elevating Indian leaders on the global stage.
The fellowship will offer selected leaders from sectors such as education, healthcare, and environmental sustainability an immersive week-long experience in New York City during the UNGA and the Dasra Philanthropy Forum. This initiative will enable participants to engage with global stakeholders, access resources, and highlight their work on an international platform.
Deval Sanghavi, Co-Founder of Dasra, highlighted the unique opportunity that the Motwani Jadeja Impact Fellowship provides to elevate India’s voice on the global stage and showcase the significant contributions of Indian organizations in addressing pressing global challenges. By connecting social innovators with international networks, this initiative aims to amplify their impact and ensure that diverse voices and solutions are represented on a global scale.
Fellows will showcase their initiatives at several side events during UNGA week, including the Dasra Philanthropy Forum, CGI 2024 Annual Meeting, and the Skoll Foundation Reception. This exposure will facilitate collaborations, attract global resources, and drive meaningful, scalable change.
Inaugural Recipients of the Fellowship
- Aakash Sethi, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Quest Alliance
- Aarthi Sridhar, SeaChange Lead and Programme Head, Dakshin Foundation
- Chailtali Sheth, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Aangan Trust
- Indrani Bhattacharya, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Child in Need Institute (CINI)
- Jayesh Joshi, Secretary, VAAGDHARA
- Kuldeep Dantewadia, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Reap Benefit Foundation
- Mallika Tharakan, Lead, Knowledge Management, KHPT (Karnataka Health Promotion Trust)
- Mannat Anand, Sr Director Growth and Operations, Make A Difference
- Priya Agarwal, Founder Director, Antarang Foundation
- Sanchita Mitra, National Coordinator, Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA), Bharat
- Siddesh Sarma, Co-Founder, Chief Programs Officer, Leadership For Skilled Education Foundation
- Susan Bhaktul, Senior Director, Marketing Communications, INDUSTREE Foundation
- Uthara Narayanan, Chief Changemaker, Co-Founder, Managing trustee, Buzz Women
- Vanessa D’souza, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), SNEHA (Society for Nutrition, Education and Health action)
